After I first smelled Lancome La Vie Est Belle, I had a way of deja vu. These items smells like Viktor & Rolf FlowerBomb, solely subtler.
If you happen to’ve ever spritzed a fragrance and immediately felt such as you’d smelled it earlier than (like some scent twin lingering in your reminiscence) then you definately’ll perceive precisely what occurred right here. La Vie Est Belle didn’t simply really feel comparable to Flowerbomb, it felt like a remix. That sticky-sweet scent profile, that sugar-dusted floral vibe… It was all too acquainted. But in addition… totally different.
That sickly sweetness (or sweet delight, relying in your tastes) is unmistakable. Are the 2 actually dupes? Let’s discover out:
The Perfume
The title says all of it. Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb is an explosion of flowers. It’s a bouquet of sambac jasmine, rose, orchid and freesia, with a patchouli base and a sprinkle of bergamot within the opening notes.
However all my nostril can scent is sweet. It’s one of many sweetest scents you’ll ever scent – it’ll both delight or disgust you, relying on how a lot sugary sweetness you’ll be able to soak up your perfume. That is a type of perfumes that has zero chill within the opening. It pronounces itself earlier than you’ve even completed spraying – and clings to your scarf like a clingy ex.
Lancome La Vie Est Belle is a fruity floral gourmand scent with patchouli.A high-pitched accord of tonka bean, vanilla and chocolate pralines is enriched by candy raspberries and glowing bergamot within the prime notes, jasmine and orange blossom accents within the coronary heart, and tame patchouli within the drydown.
You’d anticipate that to be sweeter than Flowerbomb, proper? Fairly the opposite, my pal.
Flowerbomb jogs my memory of an aesthetic girl in a bit of black costume, with a string of pearls round her neck and her hair pulled again in a sublime chignon, who by chance discovered her technique to a baby’s birthday celebration the place the tables are lined with all types of candy treats.
La Vie Est Belle is, as an alternative, her little sister. She’s elegant and polished, however in a extra understated, youthful method. She has a candy tooth however gained’t indulge it for too lengthy.
It’s additionally extra powdery and fewer crisp than its massive sister. But it surely’s not very unique. Its fruity patchouli sweetness is clearly derived from Flowerbomb.
If you happen to love that ultra-feminine, heat and comfy feeling in a fragrance, however discover Flowerbomb a bit of too heavy for on a regular basis put on, La Vie Est Belle would possibly simply hit that candy spot. Actually.
Sillage And Staying Energy
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb actually hits your nostril with an explosion of candied flowers. Once you first spray it on, put together to be overwhelmed. It’s so robust, it personally provides me a headache. Fortunately, it tones down after some time.
That is a type of scents you’ll scent in your coat sleeve three days later. If you happen to’re after a showstopper that says your presence earlier than you enter the room, this one’s for you. However honest warning: individuals in elevators will discover.
Lancome La Vie Est Belle is, as an alternative, extra wearable from the beginning. It’s not at all a pores and skin scent, but it surely by no means turns into too loud both. Each linger in your pores and skin for the entire day.
And let’s be actual: when you’re investing in a high-end perfume, you need it to final. Neither of those disappoints in that division. Whether or not you’re heading out for brunch or dancing all night time, you gained’t have to reapply. Anticipate compliments. Plenty of them.
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The Packaging
Each have very fairly bottles.
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb is aptly housed in a bottle formed like a bomb. Its aggressiveness is sweetened by its pink color and the black flower connected to it. Very rock stylish.
The bottle has change into iconic in its personal proper. That faceted grenade form isn’t delicate, but it surely’s positively memorable. The sort of fragrance bottle you’d omit in your self-importance simply because it seems cool.
Lancome La Vie Est Belle is, even in its packaging, extra understated. Its modern bottle is adorned with a sublime organza ribbon. Candy and female, identical to the juice inside.
It’s the sort of design that doesn’t scream “have a look at me,” however nonetheless feels luxe. Extra grown-up than girly. And that little ribbon element? Simply sufficient to really feel such as you’re unwrapping one thing particular each time you employ it.
Which Of The Two Ought to You Go For?
It’s troublesome to say. Fragrances are private, so it actually will depend on your tastes.
I consider Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb will attraction extra to girls into sugary sweet candy concoctions.
Lancome La Vie Est Belle is subtler and higher fitted to on a regular basis events just like the workplace.
Availability
Lancome La Vie Est Belle ($48.50-£84.00): accessible at Sephora, and Ulta
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb (£51.99-£104.99): accessible at Escentual and John Lewis
Maintain a watch out for travel-size variations or reward units, particularly across the holidays. They’re a good way to attempt them out with out the total dedication.
Is Lancome La Vie Est Belle a dupe for Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb?
Sure, Lancome La Vie Est Belle is a dupe for Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb. Lancome’s model is a barely subtler and extra refined, but it surely’ll nonetheless attraction to followers of sweet candy perfumes.
It’s not an ideal copy, however the resemblance is difficult to overlook. If you happen to love the vibe of Flowerbomb however want it had a softer contact (and didn’t assault your nostrils on first spray), La Vie Est Belle may be precisely what you’re after.
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that can assist you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – on daily basis. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that can assist you determine what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that can assist you create the most effective skincare routine on your distinctive wants.
