Do you have a difficult time choosing between two Byredo favorites? Then this article is for you. I will compare Byredo’s signature fragrances Mojave Ghost and Gypsy Water.
You’ll get to know them up close and personal, as well as discover for yourself what are the significant benefits, drawbacks, or alternatives to the two.
Would you like my opinion to influence your decision? Let’s go ahead and get started.
Byredo Mojave Ghost
Initially launched in 2014, this eau de parfum was an instant hit among niche fragrance lovers across the globe. Created with the help of Olivia Giacobetti and Jerome Epinette, Mojave Ghost is categorized as a soft floral scent with hints of warm amber and a powdery base.
The most unique note within its main accords is the sapodilla fruit, giving it a slightly sweet edge without being too overbearing. Not many perfumes feature this little-known fruit, which makes Mojave Ghost particularly interesting. I found the fragrance to nicely open up with soft notes of musk, followed by warm sandalwood and lightly fragrant violets.
To me, Mojave Ghost has pretty decent longevity, though you might want to consider packing it in your bag for a midday spritz.
When it comes to sillage, this one’s a hit or miss. Mojave Ghost could go either way for you. While it mixes beautifully with most people’s body chemistry, it also has the tendency to turn a bit sour or even pungent on some people.
Mojave Ghost is pretty pricey, so you may want to consider trying this one out at the store before you blind buy a whole bottle. The presentation is quite plain, but I suppose that’s the point. Letting a fragrance speak for itself without the help of fancy packaging is a bold move. Seeing that the popularity of this fragrance has remained strong, they must be doing something right.
I think that Mojave Ghost makes a great daytime fragrance. I found it a light and pleasant scent with decent projection, but it isn’t too overwhelming or obnoxiously intense. I think it’s a decent option for work and during the warmer spring and summer seasons.
I noticed that Mojave Ghost tends to fade and reappear throughout the day, so if you’re looking for a fragrance that is consistently noticeable, this may not be for you.
In terms of value, Byredo fragrances tend to be expensive, so you really should try it out first before jumping in and buying the whole bottle. To my nose, Mojave Ghost is pleasantly warm, floral, and slightly fruity, but you may find this combination a bit too unexpected and somewhat confusing for your nose to sort out.
I think Mojave Ghost is a good option for you if you’re into softer, warmer fragrances perfect for daytime wear. However, the price point is a major disadvantage. If you like Mojave Ghost but don’t want to splurge on a bottle, I suggest taking a look at its dupe, Santal Glow by Zara. It features similar notes but at a much lower price point.
Byredo Gypsy Water
If you’re looking for a fragrance option that’s a little more citrusy, spicy, and more suited for the evening, Gypsy Water by Byredo may be more up your alley. Gypsy Water predates Mojave Ghost, as it was released in 2008.
This eau de parfum is reminiscent of walking through a warm, spring forest, with subtle notes of fresh greenery, woodiness, and fragrant incense. Gypsy Water is considered a woody, aromatic perfume and was created to pay homage to the Romani culture.
What I particularly enjoy about Gypsy Water are the warm notes of pine and incense. I think this feature gives it a mysterious and earthy edge.
I noticed that it opens up bright and citrusy, making this an excellent fragrance for warm summer evenings. The citrus slowly transitions into soft, powdery amber and vanilla, which gives it an ethereal feel. While it settles, you’ll likely notice soft hints of smokiness akin to a smoldering campfire.
This fragrance is soft, subtle, and comforting. Unfortunately, while I do love the scent of Gypsy Water, it doesn’t last long at all and definitely pales in comparison to the longevity of Mojave Ghost. It’s hardly noticeable after an hour or two, which is frustrating given the price of Byredo perfumes.
In terms of sillage, Gypsy Water leaves a lot to be desired. Those around you likely won’t notice you’re wearing anything at all unless they’re very close to you. If you prefer to wear fragrances to just enjoy for yourself, this could be a good thing. However, you may want to look elsewhere if you want a scent with some projection.
Gypsy Water is a great all-season fragrance, but I could recommend an alternative with a better projection for this price. Tocca’s Collette has very similar notes but a much lower price point and far better projection and longevity.
Gypsy Water is an exciting niche fragrance with well-balanced notes, but it’s hard to justify the price if you cannot afford it, especially given the drawbacks.
The verdict: Mojave Ghost Vs. Gypsy Water
Although I think that the scent of Gypsy Water is a little more enticing and vibrant than Mojave Ghost it lacks that longevity which makes it rather dull compared to Mojave Ghost.
Gypsy Water smells great right out of the bottle but I didn’t feel like I was wearing anything after about an hour or so.
I love the warmth and woodiness of Gypsy Water, but I can’t get past how weak the projection and longevity are for that price. I think that Mojave Ghost lasts longer, projects better, and is a better overall option than Gypsy Water.
So if you’re going to choose between Mojave Ghost and Gypsy Water, I suggest going with Mojave Ghost.
Mojave Ghost smells a little more timeless yet interesting with its layers of exotic fruit, violet, and amber and lasted me considerably longer than Gypsy Water. It’s a bit more of a well-rounded fragrance and can be worn on a variety of occasions. It’s also suitable all year round.
Mojave Ghost will be a better deal value-wise.
I’d like to make one final note on Byredo’s line of fragrances. Byredo considers itself a “luxury fragrance line.” (they state so proudly on their website). And yes, the prices of their full-sized perfumes match their “luxury” description. Your best bet with any Byredo fragrance is to give it a try before fully committing to a full-sized bottle. Better yet, opt for one of their “Discovery” packages, which allow you to sample several of their fragrances at a fraction of the price.
While both of these niche fragrances have some intriguing characteristics, they aren’t completely unique. To my nose, several other great alternatives could get you just as many compliments, if not more, than these two fragrances. For example, I think Santal Glow is an excellent clone of Mojave Ghost, and it’s much less expensive with a better projection. Whereas Collette by TOCCA is an excellent dupe of Gypsy Water and lasts considerably longer while being much more affordable.
