First vs Ivoire de Balmain
Notes, accords, longevity, sillage, seasons and community ratings, side by side.
31%scent match
Clearly different
Quick verdict
Which one should you pick?
First takes 4 of 7 categories.
FirstChoose it for a floral and green character. Wins on longevity, value for money and versatility. Best in spring, daytime wear.
Ivoire de BalmainChoose it for a aromatic and fresh spicy character. Wins on ratings & consensus and community sentiment. Best in spring.
First4/7
Ivoire de Balmain2/7
- Ratings & consensus
- Ivoire de Balmain
- Community sentiment
- Ivoire de Balmain
- Longevity
- First
- Sillage & projection
- Tie
- Value for money
- First
- Versatility
- First
- Note pyramid (duration)
- Not scored
- Fragranxe ranking
- First
Head-to-head breakdown
Every category side by side, with the winner called out.
Fragrance
FirstVan Cleef & ArpelsIvoire de BalmainPierre BalmainWinner
Ratings & consensus
Average rating and ownership split3.98/ 5 · 3,483 votes
Have 63%Had 37%Want 0%
4.13/ 5 · 1,107 votes
Have 68%Had 32%Want 0%
Category winnerIvoire de BalmainRating weighted by vote count
Community sentiment
How voters split from love to hate38%Love
41%Like
3%Ok
17%Dislike
1%Hate
3,483 votes
42%Love
43%Like
2%Ok
13%Dislike
0%Hate
1,107 votes
Category winnerIvoire de BalmainMost positive mix (25+ votes)
Longevity & sillage
0–100 community performance scores
Category winners
LongevityFirst
SillageTie
Value for money
How fairly priced voters find itCategory winnerFirstBest value score
Main accords
Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by bothfloral100%
green92%
aldehydic84%
white floral77%
yellow floral69%
fresh61%
aromatic100%
fresh spicy92%
herbal84%
woody77%
floral69%
green61%
Scent match31%Clearly different · both floral and green
Note pyramid (duration)
Top, heart and base, with how long each lasts when known · gold = sharedTop20-30 mins
AldehydesBergamotBlack CurrantPeachMandarin OrangeRaspberry
Heart3-4 hrs
NarcissusHiacynthJasmineLily-of-the-ValleyCarnationYlang-YlangOrris RootTuberose
Base6-8+ hrs
CivetOakmossHoneyAmberMuskSandalwoodVetiverTonka Bean
Top
AldehydesChamomileGalbanumMarigoldAsafoetidaArtemisiaBergamotLemon
Heart
Orris RootNarcissusCarnationNutmegTurkish RosePepperYlang-YlangIris
Base
OakmossVetiverSandalwoodIncensePatchouliLabdanumMuskTonka Bean
InformationalShared notesAldehydes, Bergamot, Narcissus and Carnation. Durations are only published for First, so this is not scored.
Seasons & time of day
Relative to each fragrance's best seasonSpring100
Summer0
Fall0
Winter99
Day100
Night85
Spring100
Summer0
Fall0
Winter68
Day–
Night–
Category winnerFirstMost year-round
Who wears it
Gender appeal votesInformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored
Ranking & credits
Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launchOverall rank#955
PerfumerJean-Claude Ellena
Launched—
Reviews205
Overall rank#26,448
PerfumerFrancis Camail, Michel Hy
Launched—
Reviews0
Category winnerFirstHigher overall rank
In a nutshell
Description & review snapshotFirst by Van Cleef & Arpels opens with a brisk, effervescent burst of aldehydes, tart bergamot, and ripe black currant that immediately calls to mind crisp, high-end French milled soap. As the initial sparkle settles, the scent unfolds into an abundant floral heart packed with spring narcissus, dewy green hyacinth, an…
Reviews →Ivoire de Balmain stands as a definitive green chypre. It opens with a sharp, herbal punch of galbanum and marigold before settling into a sophisticated, mossy floral core. This is a scent for those who appreciate traditional, crisp structure. It feels most at home during cool spring mornings, providing an immediate s…
Reviews →InformationalRead bothTaste is personal
How we score: ratings blend public fragrance ratings with Fragranxe member votes; longevity, sillage, value and sentiment are community vote scores, and season bars are relative to each fragrance's strongest season. Categories with too little data are shown but not scored. The scent match weighs accord overlap (60%) and shared notes (40%). More in the FAQ.
Guided comparison
Ask about this matchup
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Common questions
Straight answers from the data above.
Which is better, First or Ivoire de Balmain?
First takes 4 of 7 categories. First is rated 3.98/5 from 3,483 votes; Ivoire de Balmain is rated 4.13/5 from 1,107 votes. Choose First for a floral and green character. Wins on longevity, value for money and versatility. Best in spring, daytime wear. Choose Ivoire de Balmain for a aromatic and fresh spicy character. Wins on ratings & consensus and community sentiment. Best in spring.
Which lasts longer, First or Ivoire de Balmain?
They last about the same: First 72/100, Ivoire de Balmain 71/100 for longevity in community votes.
Which projects more, First or Ivoire de Balmain?
Projection is very close: First 64/100, Ivoire de Balmain 64/100 for sillage.
Do First and Ivoire de Balmain smell similar?
Clearly different: a 31% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share floral and green accords. Common notes include Aldehydes, Bergamot, Narcissus and Carnation.
Is First or Ivoire de Balmain better for summer or winter?
For summer, First is the stronger pick. For winter, First is the stronger pick. First suits daytime wear. Based on community season votes.
What are the notes in First and Ivoire de Balmain?
First has top notes of Aldehydes, Bergamot, Black Currant and Peach, heart notes of Narcissus, Hiacynth, Jasmine and Lily-of-the-Valley, a base of Civet, Oakmoss, Honey and Amber. Ivoire de Balmain has top notes of Aldehydes, Chamomile, Galbanum and Marigold, heart notes of Orris Root, Narcissus, Carnation and Nutmeg, a base of Oakmoss, Vetiver, Sandalwood and Incense.
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