We recently discovered l’Envol de Cartier in our search for different fragrances to be featured among the best men’s fragrance for autumn. Will it make the cut? Find out with our review!
In this review, you will discover l’Envol de Cartier with a focus on the following topics:
- Bespoke Unit Fragrance Formula (BUFF)
- Fragrance Overview
- Blend & Performance
- Tested 3rd Party Feedback
- Fragrance Impressions
- Presentation & Value
Use the links to jump ahead or scroll on to read more.
Watch The Video Review
Overview
- Brand: Cartier
- Fragrance: L’Envol
- Concentration: Eau de Parfum
- Release Year: 2016
- Batch Reviewed: 6FCB
- Olfactive Fragrance Family: Woody Oriental Amber
- Related Fragrances: Hugo Boss Bottled, Azzaro Wanted
- Price On Amazon: From $50 [Buy Now]
- Price On FragranceX: From $50 [Buy Now]
Released in 2016, l’Envol de Cartier was developed by Mathilde Laurent, an in-house perfumer for Cartier who has also worked on fragrances for Guerlain. Indeed, her career began when she approached Jean-Paul Guerlain for an internship who simply replied “Why not?”
L’Envol de Cartier Composition
In the following section, we’ll break down l’Envol de Cartier’s overall experience and dry-down, which you will see can be described as a woody amber oriental fragrance.
Head Notes
- Wormwood
- Sage
- Lavender
The opening of l’Envol is quite interesting. In fact, it’s reminiscent of absinth and that’s probably because of the wormwood. Indeed, it has a rather herbaceous opening of wormwood, some sage and some lavender, which is quite uplifting and it’s not invigorating or bracing.
Heart Notes
- Honey
- Guaiacwood
- Violet
However, l’Envol shows its true colours in heart as it delivers a succulent and embracing honey and guaiacwood accord. There’s a little hint of violet in the heart, which adds a slight hint of a floralness, but the honey and the guaiacwood really dominate it.
Guaiacwood can be compared to pipe tobacco. It’s a little bit musky and it also has some leathery characteristics to it. Furthermore, it’s a very complex note that’s used in a lot of fragrances. It’s probably one of my favourites, too.
The heart lasts quite a while and the guaiacwood will endure all the way through to the base. Indeed, it will be the final remaining scent when you get down to a skin scent.
Base Notes
- Patchouli
- Vetiver
- Guaiacwood
Once at the base, the honey note will have subsided but it’s still quite warm. It’s quite succulent and syrupy but once you’re in the base, you then have some patchouli and vetiver. These help briefly extend the violet.
However, it’s not going to be floral but more herbaceous. The patchouli and vetiver are quite earthy and they add additional substance to the guaiacwood.
L’Envol’s Life-Cycle, Wake & Strength
What’s particularly interesting about the lifecycle of this fragrance is that it has this unusual approach of taking a note that’ll dominate from the heart and go all the way through the skin scent. As it dries down, the guaiacwood evolves slightly as it’s affected by other notes on its path. However, it never fades completely.
With regards to the wake and strength, this is where I feel that the fragrance is a tiny little bit of a letdown. Its longevity is average but performs reasonable well. Still, you’ll want to top it up if you’re wearing it during the day.
The sillage and projection stay quite close to the skin. You’re not going to have a very large scent bubble, which is probably why this is very appropriate for certain activities, which I’ll talk about later.
In that sense, perhaps it’s a good thing that it isn’t too much of a powerhouse. That being said it’s still present. You do have this wonderful woody aroma emanating from you at a short distance.
What People Think Of L’Envol de Cartier
When it comes to the third party feedback, people seem to be very much in universal agreement that l’Envol is a warm pleasant and embracing fragrance. It’s comforting, reassuring, and generally very pleasant.
Lots of nice things to be said about the fragrance. It perhaps doesn’t have a certain “wow” factor that people look for in a fragrance. Indeed, l’Envol isn’t overly seductive.
Similarly, it’s more popular among older than younger people. In fact, I noticed that young people tended to think that it was nice but that it didn’t quite resonate with them.
Overall, it appeared to be best valued by people in their thirties or above. Generally, both men and women seem to really appreciate this fragrance.
When To Wear L’Envol de Cartier
As for its seasonality, this is a fragrance that is going to be very good for the winter months, especially during the fall. It’s perfect for that setting, given that it has a very warm syrupy essence that is reminiscent of dead leaves on the ground.
That being said, it can be certainly very well worn during the winter and spring. Less so during the spring, as things start to heat up. In winter, it’s perhaps not bold enough or has enough balsamic characteristics to really shine during that period but in any case, it’s going to be better than the summer.
Indeed, summer is where this fragrance is just simply too heavy and doesn’t have the right amount of freshness to be wearable during that season.
L’Envol is an overall mature fragrance and best worn by men in their thirties or older. As for the time of day, this is a very versatile fragrance and it can be worn all day. It would do just as well during a cold winter’s day as an evening during the fall.
As for the occasion,I perceived l’Envol de Cartier as a distinctively office fragrance. It’s perfect for a professional environment. Certainly, if you want to have a reassuring and confident, comforting presence, this is something that people will want to be nearby.
Colleagues and clients will appreciate it as it’s certainly not offensive nor overbearing by any means. Indeed, it’s an often-overlooked fragrance but a great alternative to Boss Bottled, for instance. However, I think this is a far more elegant and sophisticated alternative to Boss Bottled.
Now when it comes to the masculinity of this fragrance, this is an overall masculine fragrance, but I’d say it’s relatively moderate rather than overly strong.
Presentation & Value For Money
I do very much love the flacon’s subtle and understated design. Cartier’s classic logo is featured on one side with l’Envol written on the rear. The flacon’s glass bottom is shaped like a round bubble. Furthermore, there’s no cap but a wheel with a machine-knurled detail.
Upon twisting it, it reveals the atomiser, which performs well with a nice light mist that is relatively focused. As a result, it’s ideal for precise applications. Furthermore, you can spend a little more for a refillable bottle if you think that you’ll like the fragrance.
Similarly, the packaging is simply wonderful and is reminiscent of older, classic fragrances from the early 20th century given its Art Deco influence.
When it comes to the value of this fragrance, the RRP is about $85, but you could pick up a 100 ml for around $50 especially if you look online. Indeed, the best prices were found on FragranceX, which offers great value.
Closing Thoughts
Often overlooked by perhaps louder and brasher peers, L’Envol de Cartier is a wonderfully sophisticated fragrance that delivers understated elegance that exudes confident masculinity.
It’s ideal for both the office and date wear. In fact, that’s something I didn’t mention earlier in impressions, but this would be great for a romantic occasion. It’s a safe choice. It’s not going to be overbearing but seductive in a reassuring way.
Overall, it’s a perfect choice for a professional man who seeks to distinguish himself.
"L'Envol de Cartier is a sophisticated scent for the discerning professional gentleman seeking to distinguish himself."
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