L’Envol de Cartier Eau de Toilette by Cartier

This is a classic Eau de Rochas for women, but in a concentrated, face-hugging version. After years of wearing it secretly, I now see it as a misunderstood work of art. It’s bitter, musty, damp, and fiery. Like its Eau de Parfum, it’s a blend with character and sensitivity that went its own way until it was trampled to death by more and more flankers of Pasha, Santos, and other Cartier masculines. At least those smell of basic masculinity, and a thousand times more than this one.

Honey and musk aroma. I don’t detect any freshness because its main note is honey, so I don’t think it suits heat or poorly ventilated places. It has good performance, but I wouldn’t recommend buying it blindly; for me, it’s too strong and intense. I didn’t like it; my nose just gave up 😂🤷🏻♂️. Don’t buy blindly 🕉️.

It takes notes from the Cartier line: spiced wood with roses from Déclaration d’un Soir, dark resins from Santos, and violets from Eau de Cartier, with echoes of Dior Homme and Fahrenheit. It has a fresh body that you control with the dose, ideal for daily wear, timeless, and non-sporty. In the office, it follows a serious line, a resin base with an iris centre, a subdued winter mood indoors, better in smart-casual neat attire. Projection is contained, with a medium memory effect. At night, it moves away from the adolescent and dynamic; it’s for correct semi-formal events, dinners, and protocol meetings, formal level for winter/summer with high doses. Romantically, the powdery and dark tones don’t seek comfort or conquest, but rather a neat and elegant image of personal enjoyment. Age 30 to 60 years.

One of Cartier’s most recent perfumes, I arrived via reviewers. As I follow the house’s masculines closely, I approached L’Envol with expectation. I tested it in the perfumery and at first it seemed exquisite but distinctly feminine. I didn’t dislike it, but I gave it a second chance. It lacks much complexity, coming out citrusy for less than five minutes before the honey takes over until it fades in 6-8 hours. When dry, the honeyed musk can be a bit overwhelming. It’s sweet and very elegant, with the class that 99% of Cartier has, which it never fails at. Very good longevity, 6-8 hours, and the trail is noticeable for another two hours. It sticks to clothes and is hard to remove. Conclusion: Don’t buy blindly; to me, it smells unisex and I love it. If you like sweet and elegant scents, it’s an excellent option.

This L’Envol smells to me like Grisi’s Golden Hair shampoo. For those not from Mexico, it’s a children’s shampoo with honey and chamomile that is supposedly natural hair lightener.

A more sparkling version than the EDP, younger but equally elegant. It feels classy, but a modern, innovative, groundbreaking class. I recommend it to any young professional who wants to use something different in the office.

Well, finally today, Wednesday, I opened it (I was dying to) and yes, I’m liking this work a lot, which aligns with Cartier’s concept and philosophy – to me, it’s beautiful, elegant and personal. I must admit I haven’t tested the first one, the EDP, so I can’t judge, review or compare it with the 2017 EDT, although I do know there’s now a limited edition of it (which I already have) called Metamorphosis, encased in a much more designed and beautiful bottle to look at. With a mirror gradient reflecting that ‘metamorphosis’. It has an herbal opening with an acidic lemon, probably due to the absinthe, and it’s intense and not very usual; the citruses do come later and aren’t sharp, nor do they aim to refresh anyone, except the lemon which feels strong. The mead is spot on and never cloying or sugary. The musk balances everything and the Guaiac wood is delicious and hyper-masculine; I always love that note in a fragrance. It evolves very well and is long-lasting, nothing mass-market; in fact, it doesn’t sell very well, like its female counterpart La Panthère, according to my perfumer, but that would be unfair territory, as the fragrance oozes quality on all sides and the bottle design is brilliant. For me, it’s very wearable; daily daytime use is possible, they said better for night, though I see that possibility as very remote, considering what I like at night, as it might have its dangers, but perhaps that applies better to the EDP (of which I have its limited edition ‘Metamorphosis’). In any case, Cartier in its purest form and I recommend testing it, because it’s worth taking some time to do so and delight yourself for a while while it evolves and you observe how it suits you. PS. L’Envol is currently discontinued.

I bought it blindly based on reviews saying it was great for women. At first, it reminded me of my great-uncle’s Old Spice – it’s small and I hated it a bit at first, haha – but after a while, it turned out incredible on my skin. Very clean, soft, with a sweet touch, probably due to the honey. I recommend it for both sexes; I’ve truly fallen in love with it.

Delicate, classy, slightly refreshing and makes you feel special. This EDT is a wonder.

Tested in a perfumery: it’s a soft, sweet honey scent without being cloying. As others say, it’s clean and delicate. However, I have two reservations: for me, it smells more like a woman’s perfume than a man’s, and I’m not sure when to wear it, although I like it. I wouldn’t wear it to work, perhaps with a white shirt only. I’m also not sure if it’s suitable for everyday wear, but the longevity is impressive, very considerable for an Eau de Toilette.

It’s a spicier version than the EDP, even more youthful. Very rich, super versatile and elegant. Suitable for any season. The EDP is a bit more classic and mature, better for winter/autumn. For an EDT, it has good performance. The trail is present subtly, as if it weren’t there, but it occasionally appears or leaves a faint trace that’s noticeable.

Extreme quality, the bottle, the scent, everything… very elegant. Very good indeed.