Envy for Men by Gucci

Today, with my brother, we went to a place where we made interesting findings of discontinued fragrances or their old formulas. The original plan was to see if Zara had Aromatic Future or Exclusive Oud, without many expectations or desire to buy, just curiosity. But we decided to visit someone who showed us interesting vintage perfumes a few months ago. The last thing I expected was to find a fragrance so coveted by collectors worldwide, sold online at scandalous prices (up to 150 dollars for a half-content bottle and without box). I saw a 50ml one, sealed and in perfect condition; it was not that cheap, but neither was it unaffordable. The seller told us she also had the 100ml. That is the one I have brought home. The first thing that catches the eye is its uncommon presentation: an acetate case with two robust black foam frames that protect the bottle and let a little of it show. Upon freeing it, I see a volume wider than tall, with an unusually large cap proposing a simple but forceful geometry. Now, the important part: the contents. It has a warm opening, between ambery and green, not very powerful, delicately sweet, where incense, sandalwood, vanilla, and amber are mainly noticeable; I have not noticed the ginger in the 5 hours I have worn it. The whole combo refines it with a rich smoked tobacco that perhaps enhances the quality of this legendary perfume. Incense and vanilla are the notes that last the most, fitting very well with the woods, patchouli, vetiver, and a soft leather, adorned by a subtle floral frame. Envy For Men delivers a first-class aroma, a total delight. Its quality as a composition is undeniable. It is a very changing and rich-in-nuances perfume, nothing linear, which reminds me in its phases of Montana Parfum D’Homme, Opium Pour Homme, Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier, and even Halston Z-14; it gathers the virtues of all, forming a truly exquisite mixture. I must say that its olfactory performance, which I find somewhat weak, does not do justice to its aromatic excellence, which is a pity, as its projection barely reaches personal distance. Its fixation is a bit better; it is well noticed on the skin for about 5 to 6 hours (and a little more). As with many perfumes, little by little we discover more potential as we give ourselves time to get to know them. I am glad not only to know this creation, but to have it in my collection without the need for an exhaustive search or obsessive longing. It coincided that I was in the right place and we had the right budget. Fragrance: 9/10, Longevity: 8.5/10, Projection: 7.5/10, Versatility: 8/10.

I remember Envy as if it were yesterday. I tried it in 2003 with my parents at the centre; my father took Opium and Rive Gauche, but in the final shortlist was Envy, which we discarded just before Kouros. I was 17 and loved it: it is opulent, elegant, and has a brazen wink thanks to the ginger and spices, an adult pleasure that didn’t suit my mother, as she wanted me to take the perfume, not the other way round. My father didn’t care, and he’s already a proper old codger. I enjoyed it for everything for a year: going out, going to class, or to parties. No girl would come round because of that, but I felt as secure as Pierce Brosnan ordering a vodka and Martini, anointed with a maturity oil inappropriate for a young lad like my friends. But the day I turned 18, everything changed. We celebrated my birthday wildly, drank too much, and abused our luck, alcohol and perfume. It ended up being a bitter night and I spent my first day as an adult regretting it, kneeling before the toilet. A few days later, when I smelled my bottle again, my stomach gave a turn. Fortunately, there was about 10% left. I let it sleep for a couple of years, then finished it alternating with Rive Gauche and Équipage. I’m glad I met it and enjoyed it, but ours ended abruptly that day. With more experience, I say calmly that I have found scents that satisfy me as much or more; I have a curious and unfaithful nose and should not obsess over discontinued perfumes that are almost impossible to find. That early morning morning, clinging to the toilet, I heard my mother tell my father: ‘Tomorrow he’s going to find out!’ and him replying: let him, in the sin there is the penance.

I’ll be a little bit of a pariah, but… I have no doubt that Gucci was and has once again become a house seeking the difference between its fragrances. Envy is very different from everything I’ve heard so far, which makes it notable. I’ve longed to smell Envy as much as the first formula of Pour Homme. I’ve achieved that with Envy and hope to do so with the Pour Homme. They are two fragrances that fascinate me enormously due to their reviews and the exorbitant prices; perhaps this is a problem because my expectations are huge. Freshly applied (for some strange reason), Envy reminds me a lot of the old Opium EDP, but only for 10 seconds; afterwards, the fragrance turns into something I’ve never heard and don’t quite understand… Spicy ginger, woods, something subtly vanilla, a very light balsamic base… It is frankly different from everything else. There is quality in it, but (fortunately for my wallet) it is not a fragrance I would like to wear; in fact, I don’t know if I like it or if it horrifies me. I understand that its devotees feel orphaned because I can’t find any resemblance to anything. For better or worse, it is unique. I don’t understand why Gucci removed everything to stay for a while with the fragrances they kept, which were, at the very least, mediocre, considering what they already had before.

Envy for Men is one of the most famous discontinued scents and I’ve been using it for days. I’ve liked it more than Gucci Pour Homme I, so from that perspective its fame is more justified, without diminishing GPHI. It’s a spicy oriental fragrance; that nature gives it its personality. It’s hard to describe, but the opening is slightly smoky and incensey with a good load of spices: pepper, ginger and tobacco, which at times give way to florals and sandalwood, finally leaving an amber, vanilla and leather scent without losing its spicy nature, mainly the ginger. I think it’s ideal for romantic outings, as others say, the projection is medium-low. I think it looks better on fresh or cold days. Launched in 1997, if it had come out last year it would be 20 years old and it doesn’t feel old, although I think it will appeal more to mature people than young ones, still it’s relatively easy to like. Its longevity is around 8 hours on the skin and another couple on clothes. Although I’ve liked it, I wouldn’t justify paying the outrageous amounts asked in some places, but if you find it at a fair price, it’s one you shouldn’t let go.

Rich and sensual, refined and therefore not scandalous… I wish Gucci would bring it back; I’m certain many people in this group would jump at the chance, and I have no doubt it would create attractive hype for both the old guard and the new. In my case, I managed to get an original at a considerably high price. If you think about buying it without testing it first, frankly, I don’t think it will surprise you as much and you might feel a bit disappointed. For me, it was a purchase motivated by nostalgia (it was my father’s perfume during my adolescence, and I would occasionally give him a whiff); perhaps without that construct of memories, I would have felt unsatisfied. Blind scent archaeology tends to be like this, haha. Returning to the fragrance itself, I see it more for mild climates, day or night, for any intermediate occasion; that is, neither for the gym or the beach, nor for the most formal event you might attend.

One of the best incenses I have tried. It has a seductive, dark, and spicy sweetness that caught me instantly. It opens with lavender and spicy orange, enhanced with cardamom. Then the heart emerges… the sweetness is more noticeable with the clove, jasmine, and rose, creating a spicy floral accord. But the best comes after. The dry down is incredible: soft, warm, slightly spicy and stinging at the same time. Ginger, incense, amber, tobacco, and vanilla with a woody base (rich in sandalwood, cedar, and patchouli) make an acrid, sweet, and smoky accord. It is intoxicating yet soft, comforting and exciting… truly hypnotic. The longevity and sillage are moderate and need mild temperatures. It is elegant, but not formal. A wonder (and already discontinued) by Daniela Andrier, blessed again by Tom Ford during his time at Gucci. My favourite men’s fragrance.

Tom Ford Gucci Misses You! One of the gems from Gucci’s Tom Ford era. A spicy oriental full of ginger, incense, cedar and sandalwood… and a gorgeous scent at full blast! This fragrance has everything you look for in an oriental for men: class, sophistication, an aura of mystery and seduction… this is more than most offer today! I believe without exaggeration it’s one of my best vanilla and ginger-based fragrances. It’s one of the masterpieces of the perfume world, not because of its discontinuation, but for its balanced, high-quality scent that is definitely niche. It’s a green spicy oriental juice; at first you detect the ginger and, of course, the vanilla, giving you a smoky green spicy flavour.

@arp I wouldn’t pay for them either. They offered it to me from the Canaries for 120 euros, and I said no, because it is not niche enough for that. Nevertheless, if I tell you that I was in love with it. It is very autumnal, in which it shone for me; it didn’t matter whether it was morning, afternoon, or night. I wore it a lot in restaurants and big events, such as at the Opera, and I was always happy with its trail, performance, and longevity. But every person is a world, and you might reject it (for whatever reason). I would suggest trying it from September to October, as that was its key season. Best regards. Otherwise: R.I.P.

I love it. Green-spiced opening, with the ginger noticeable throughout the evolution, while sandalwood and a light incense give it character and masculinity. The vanilla adds sweetness. Ambered finish with a touch of patchouli and leather. It’s a classic that doesn’t clash today. Good quality is noticeable and it’s versatile. Good performance, smells very well throughout the evolution. For spring, autumn and winter, day and night. Long-lasting longevity, moderate trail.

I picked up a tester at a good price. It is a delightful fragrance and, certainly, different from what is seen on the market today. Its composition is more akin to niche perfumes, but in my opinion without the quality of ingredients found in those. Is it worth the exorbitant prices they ask? It depends on your wallet. I particularly like it, but within the green, mysterious, and sophisticated category, I still prefer Memoir Man without a doubt.

It feels too stifling to me, an intense aroma of excessive spices and green notes. It has a tremendous fixation that results in being overwhelming and is one of the few that bother and disturb me (and I clarify that I like intense and powerful perfumes), but I can’t stand this one. Will it be because of the very loaded notes? I don’t know, but I do recognise it’s of very good quality and has excellent trail and longevity.

That is what I think: the bottle might have been slightly damaged in its liquid, and that is why the performance was affected. As for its scent, I don’t believe it; it doesn’t feel affected or rancid at all. That is why, putting aside its moderate performance, its scent doesn’t convince me in the slightest to pay the prices currently demanded for it.

Juancar677, you say you knew it well; I recommend you try NOIR by Reminiscence to see what you think; I have both and I believe it is quite similar, only that the one by Reminiscence feels better crafted, of higher quality, and with a better smell. I think it is a good alternative or substitute for those who miss it.

If you’re craving that scent, look no further than Mandarin Sky Elixir. I hadn’t smelled anything like Envy since the early 2000s until a friend let me try something that reminded me of my old favourite: Armaf. Comparing the notes note by note, I instantly understood why. They share so much in common.

An absolute gem! Not even a niche fragrance. The totem of Gucci’s golden age. Elegant, sophisticated, sexy… Tom Ford in pure form. After nearly 20 years without it, I have it back and am enjoying it once more. Gucci and their discontinuations: an altar to this wonder.