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I finally tried Gucci Envy

post #1 of 21
3/8/12 at 9:22pm
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I had heard Gucci Envy was very similar to Azzaro Visit, which I own, so I waited a while to try it. Also, I don't want to distract myself too much with discontinued frags since they are so expensive and/or hard to get.

Well, I finally got the opportunity to sample it, and I really liked it. At first I was really confused that it had been compared to Azzaro Visit, then I remembered it was Bigsly that made the connection there. He only likes base notes; it sounds like he just kind of ignores the first 3 hours of everything he tries. Great guy though, we've done like nine hundred swaps. So, I waited as it dried down on my skin.

The sandalwood really stands out to my nose. I think Envy must have a solid dollop of Mysore in it; newer fragrances, certainly desigers, never smell that natural when it comes to sandalwood these days; Diptyque's Tam Dao is a notable exception. But Envy has a lot more going on with its crisp herbs, dry florals (cf. Esencia Loewe for another great use of very subtle dry rose), musk and cedar.

The fragrance that comes to mind for the opening the most is the rightly vaunted yet obscure Jaguar Mark II. It's pleasing to me that Envy is available for a lower price than that mid 90's treasure since they are so similar. Since I find Mark II lies directly between Boss Sport's round green musk and Shiseido Basala's dry rose and sandalwood, those two also merit mention in connection with Envy. (I found layering the two to be an excellent simulation of Jaguar Mark II.)

Then came the drydown, which is indeed very reminiscent of Azzaro Visit's cedar thickened with amber and musk, and laced with sticky yet spiky Iso E. The Visit-esque cheap thrills felt a little out of place after Envy's superb heart accords. Jaguar Mark II's drydown beats it by a mile. (Perhaps a three-way layer of Boss Sport, Basala, and Visit would give an interesting simulacrum of Envy.)

All that aside, I'm tipping my hat here to Gucci's talent in the 90s. Envy is a solid effort, full of classic touches and pleasant naturalness. Well done.
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post #2 of 21
3/8/12 at 9:52pm
Odd...I typically see Visit compared to Gucci Rush, not Envy. I used to wear Rush a lot (and really wish I still had a bottle), and still wear Envy. Can't say I get much similarity between the two, but granted, I haven't worn Rush in years.
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post #3 of 21
3/8/12 at 11:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by MonkeyBars View Post

Envy is a solid effort, full of classic touches and pleasant naturalness. Well done.

Agree.
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post #4 of 21
3/9/12 at 12:36am
I love Envy, but kind of regret trying it. Although it's amazing, it's pretty hard to find, and can get expensive, which doesn't help. It sucks falling for the discontinued ones sometimes. I hope Gucci reissues it soon.
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post #5 of 21
3/9/12 at 12:53am
I don't remember comparing those two but perhaps a few years ago I did, when I could stand frags like Visit (those wood notes are just too irritating to me now). There are a lot of frags that go down the Envy path, ST Dupont Signature Pour Homme and Carven Homme, as examples. And of course there are a lot of dry woody/incense frags. I generally dislike both kinds these days, and the only one I seem to be able to wear is Equus (which is more like Visit). It's the patchouli with the amber/vanilla and cedar that's cloying to me, whereas the dry wood just tends to be unappealing. And if you want to avoid top notes you can blow on the area you spray, which means you don't have to ignore the first three hours. Do this while trying not to breathe in too much of the top notes and you get a little of the top notes but not to the point where you get olfactory fatigue. This really helped me identify notes much better.
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post #6 of 21
3/9/12 at 12:55am
I've owned a bottle of Envy for about 5 years now, and honestly have only worn it 5 times... It's nice, but not my thing!
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post #7 of 21
3/9/12 at 1:12am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by A. Homme View Post

Odd...I typically see Visit compared to Gucci Rush, not Envy. I used to wear Rush a lot (and really wish I still had a bottle), and still wear Envy. Can't say I get much similarity between the two, but granted, I haven't worn Rush in years.

Rush is much woodier so I understand the comparison to Visit as well.
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post #8 of 21
3/9/12 at 1:37am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MonkeyBars View Post

All that aside, I'm tipping my hat here to Gucci's talent in the 90s. Envy is a solid effort, full of classic touches and pleasant naturalness. Well done.

I agree MB. While I'm getting rid of some of the previous Gucci releases of the same period such us Pour Homme I & II, Envy for Men will be very probably one of the few I'll keep in my current wardrobe. All you say is correct IMO but, most of all, I like it because it avoids the typical strong woody amber base that I started to detest.
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post #9 of 21
3/9/12 at 9:03am
When I was younger, probably under the age of ten, my dad let me use this cologne. This thread persuaded me to go down to his cologne drawer and check it out, still about half a bottle left. I just sprayed some on, I'll see how it is.
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post #10 of 21
3/9/12 at 10:22am
I had a friend that wore Envy all the time. I loved it but I didnt want to copy his style. Its a great scent. When did gucci fall apart as a frag house? They made amazing fragrances back in the day.
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post #11 of 21
3/9/12 at 4:57pm
This is another fantastic fragrance that my Son wanted from my collection.....I don't remember what I received in the trade.....I do know that He Loves this fragrance and I do also!!!
Gary
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post #12 of 21
3/9/12 at 5:03pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by G.303 View Post

This is another fantastic fragrance that my Son wanted from my collection.....I don't remember what I received in the trade.....I do know that He Loves this fragrance and I do also!!!

Uh oh sounds like you were swindled!
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post #13 of 21
3/9/12 at 5:06pm
I love this fragrance too. I stocked up on it when I realized it was getting scarce. Instead of invest in gold commercials they should have invest in perfumes. I regret not buying Gucci Nobile at Marshall's when I had the chance. Gucci is messing up majorly if they discontinue Gucci Pour Homme I and II. Their new fragrances suck!
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post #14 of 21
3/10/12 at 1:33am
I've only got one and a half bottles of Envy left. But as I also have the similar Floris Santal, ST Dupont Signature and Larrikan for Men I probably won't be stocking up on it.
I really don't see the comparison to Azzaro Visit which I also have.

Envy is the only oriental I was ever happy wearing to work, it was fresh enough for it, but while strong, didn't project all that much so that it didn't seem like a party/going-out scent.

I'm glad I did stock up on Rush and Nobile before they disappeared. It still mystifies me why these three did get discontinued - they smelled great, and had the Gucci name on them. A lot of lesser scents from lesser known designers are still hanging around.
Regards,
Renato
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post #15 of 21
3/10/12 at 5:48am
Envy for Men by Gucci - A citrus opening unfolds from the mandarin orange, mixing with heaps of spicy ginger, a dash of pepper, globs of sweetness from fruity coriander and the licorise of anise. This delectable concoction stews on a backdrop of fruity rosewood. The savory opening meanders and collides with the middle. This heart is a mishmash of floral with its rose and jasmine, tempered by the zingy carnation, dry woods from its cedar and sandalwood, as well as the soft sweetness of nutmeg, and meshes with the spicy ginger. The melange flows to the comforting base and is usurped by it. This refreshing base with its minty patchouli, smoky incense, hints of tobacco and leather, earthy vetiver, sweet vanilla and amber carries the composition to its drydown. This rich and luxurious fragrance has good longevity and projection.
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post #16 of 21
3/10/12 at 11:19am
Thread Starter 
Thanks d&s. Your thumb must get a good workout with all those copy & pastes. Though I don't get any leather or incense from it (thank goodness).
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post #17 of 21
3/10/12 at 12:54pm
Envy is one of my first loves. Hard to find? I bought mine in a discount store for $25. I have seen it for under $40 in a few places here in NY.
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post #18 of 21
3/10/12 at 1:56pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by sacredsystem View Post

Envy is one of my first loves. Hard to find? I bought mine in a discount store for $25. I have seen it for under $40 in a few places here in NY.

Thanks, I'll keep my eye out!
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post #19 of 21
3/10/12 at 3:28pm
finally found one from a small retail store in the mall, tested it yesterday. I LOVE IT, very versatile imo. i saw 50ml or was it 75 ml bottle im not sure. but price tag was $100.
passed due to a killing on the price.

Smell is similar to Viktor and Rolf's Antidote, i bought Antidote recently so im still new to the scent but Envy is giving me the same vibe as Antidote which is alot cheaper and easier to locate. I bought Antidote from a more reliable discountfrag chain Perfumania for $33, its on 50% discount atm 75ml.
possible replacement? think about it and check it out.
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post #20 of 21
3/10/12 at 3:51pm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sacredsystem View Post

Envy is one of my first loves. Hard to find? I bought mine in a discount store for $25. I have seen it for under $40 in a few places here in NY.

That's a steal! Where in NY exactly? I was in Fragrance District two weeks ago and couldn't find it. I'll be there this week for some personal matters, and will be stopping by some stores.
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post #21 of 21
3/12/12 at 5:02pm
I really like this fragrance, but only wear it occassionally. I might see my bottle just for the market value.
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