So many eaux, so little temps. Though Cartier released Eau de Cartier way back in 2001, I’ve just tried it — along with the new Eau de Cartier Essence d’Orange. Cartier fragrances have never wowed me (I’ve only owned one: 1981’s Santos…and that was a gift), so I was hoping Eau de Cartier, and especially Essence d’Orange (I’m an orange fiend), would be “bright spots” in the Cartier perfume line-up.
Eau de Cartier Eau de Toilette
yuzu, bergamot, violet leaves and flowers, musk, lavender, cedarwood, patchouli, amber
Eau de Cartier opens with a burst of wonderful yuzu “juice,” violet leaf (diffuse and watery) and, if you pay close attention, lavender (more herbal than floral) with a hint of licorice. Eau de Cartier has an indistinct, vaguely sweet, floral-talc dry-down with only a touch of musk and a clear, slightly salty, amber note; this is a very light fragrance with minimal sillage…