The first fragrance in the La Vie Est Belle collection was launched by Lancôme back in 2012 and was an instant hit. Now with multiple versions, the best La Vie Est Belle perfumes each add something new and compelling to the DNA of the original.
It’s no wonder that the La Vie Est Belle (meaning ‘life is beautiful’) collection has been so popular. Each fruity/floral scent was created by two of the world’s finest perfumers; Anne Flipo and Dominique Ropion.
Best La Vie Est Belle Perfumes
Here is my take on the 7 best La Vie Est Belle perfumes from Lancôme to suit every mood, season, and occasion.
1. Oui La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum
Review
Oui La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum is a sweet fruity floral blend that celebrates every moment of joy. It was released by Lancôme in 2022.
Delicious notes of sweet raspberry, bergamot and lightly spiced pink pepper lead to a heart of delicate rose, exotic ylang-ylang, and sweet jasmine.
The dry down is sweet, with a generous helping of powdery iris and patchouli. Settles to a sweet raspberry scent with powdery iris, rose and a touch of musk similar to YSL Mon Paris Intensement.
Top Notes:
Bergamot, Pink Pepper and Juicy Raspberry Accord
Mid Notes:
Rose Centifolia, Ylang Ylang and Jasmine
Base Notes:
Iris, Patchouli, Gourmand Accord
Seasons & Longevity
To be honest, I would wear Oui La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum for any season. Equally wearable day or night and perhaps leans slightly more mature than girly.
This is a seriously long-lasting fragrance at 8+ hours and is described as ‘eternal’ by some. If you love a perfume that makes an impact (and lasts), this would be your ideal choice.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | Delightfully sweet fruity/floral scent that has a more grown-up vibe |
| Cons | Perhaps slightly too mature for the younger crowd |
2. La Vie Est Belle Soleil Cristal Eau de Parfum
Review
La Vie Est Belle Soleil Cristal is a solar floral fragrance inspired by happiness and the ability to light up the world. Created by Dominique Ropion and Nicolas Beaulieu and launched in 2021.
The bright opening of zesty bergamot and mandarin orange are dusted with pink pepper. A heart of sunny coconut accord, orange blossom and jasmine really lift your mood.
Upon dry-down, vanilla dominates the base, supported by iris and patchouli. Finally settles to a sweet coconut/vanilla combo with citrus adding freshness.
Top Notes:
Bergamot Oil, Mandarin Oil, Pink Pepper Oil
Mid Notes:
Coconut Accord, Orange Blossom, Jasmine Sambac Absolute
Base Notes:
Iris, Patchouli Oil, Bourbon Vanilla
Seasons & Longevity
It’s a great summer fragrance that works well in spring, too; definitely a fragrance for those carefree sunny days away from the 9-to-5. Similar to Alien Goddess EDP.
Performance was better than I expected at 6+ hours, so it should last all day if you need it to. Sillage and projection are also pretty good.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | A feel-good coconut fruity/floral scent performs well |
| Cons | Perhaps too much coconut for some noses |
3. La Vie Est Belle Intensement Eau de Parfum
Review
La Vie Est Belle Intensément is on the sweeter side of the LVeB spectrum, so if you like vanilla and fruits, this could be your perfect choice. Launched in 2020.
Sweet raspberry and zesty bergamot are dusted in gently spices pink pepper. Heliotrope dominates the heart, adding a vanilla-cherry scent and is supported by orange flower and jasmine.
The base is mainly vanilla with touches of iris, benzoin, and patchouli. Settles to a sweet and fruity vanilla/raspberry scent with hints of cherry and resin.
Top Notes:
Bergamot Oil, Pink Pepper Oil, Raspberry Accord
Mid Notes:
Sambac Jasmine Absolute, Orange Flower, Heliotrope Accord
Base Notes:
Patchouli, Iris, Benzoin, Vanilla
Seasons & Longevity
As a fragrance, it works best in the cooler months of the year – autumn, winter and through to spring. It’s also versatile when it comes to when you wear it and suits day or night, whatever event you’re heading to.
This is a long-lasting 6+ hour fragrance with a moderate to strong sillage, which has some serious power. If you love your scent to make an impact, this is the way to go.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | Pretty vanilla/raspberry scent with heliotrope adding hints of cherry |
| Cons | It is quite close to the original LVeB fragrance |
4. La Vie Est Belle L’Eclat L’Eau de Toilette
Review
La Vie est Belle L’Éclat L’Eau de Toilette is a luminous white floral fragrance. It was launched in 2018 and created by two of the most iconic fragrance noses in the business – Anne Flipo and Dominique Ropion.
A sparkling opening of grapefruit and Mandarin orange are balanced by pink pepper and tea accord. The white floral heart of neroli, jasmine, orange blossom and Turkish rose is incredibly feminine.
The base of this scent is mainly musky, with ambroxan, vanilla and patchouli hovering in the background. Settles to a zesty white floral fragrance.
Top Notes:
Bergamot Oil, Grapefruit Oil, Mandarin Oil, Pink Pepper Oil, Tea Accord
Mid Notes:
Neroli Oil, Sambac Jasmine Absolute, Orange Blossom, Turkish Rose Oil
Base Notes:
Iris, Patchouli Oil, Ambroxan, Musks
Seasons & Longevity
It’s a refreshing springtime fragrance that can also work well in summer and leans more toward daytime wear, in my opinion.
I did not find this scent lasted too long, so expect 3-4 hours with solid projection for the first hour or so. If you need something that you can smell all day, you may want to go for the EDP version (coming up next).
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | Luminous and uplifting white floral fragrance |
| Cons | Not a brilliant performer so you may need to overspray |
5. La Vie Est Belle L’Eclat L’Eau de Parfum
Review
La Vie est Belle L’Éclat L’Eau De Parfum is a seductive white floral fragrance that smells classy and expensive. It was first launched in 2017 and created by Anne Flipo and Dominique Ropion.
The opening is a lovely balance of sweet orange blossom and powdery iris. A heart of fragrant and sweet jasmine creates effortless lift.
A mix of patchouli and vanilla in the base works exceptionally well. This sent finally settles to a whimsical white floral fragrance with sweet vanilla, a touch of powder and sensual musky edges.
Top Notes:
Orange Blossom, Iris
Mid Notes:
Jasmine
Base Notes:
Patchouli, Vanilla
Seasons & Longevity
I would wear this daytime fragrance during any season, especially the transitory months of autumn and spring, where the weather can be a little changeable.
It’s long-lasting at 6+ hours with a moderate sillage and projection, so it is excellent for everyday wear. Similar to Armani Code Cashmere.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | A classy feminine fragrance that can be worn in any season |
| Cons | Maybee too citrusy for the first 30 minutes |
6. La Vie Est Belle En Rose Eau de Toilette
Review
La Vie est Belle en Rose is a fresher interpretation of the original LVeB that uses peony accord to give a fresh rose scent. Created by Anne Flipo and Dominique Ropion in 2019.
Raspberry, red berries, and citrus create a fresh and juicy opening. The rose-tinged peony in the heart blooms furiously for a blast of feminity.
Upon dry-down, you are greeted by musky/earthy patchouli and smooth sandalwood. The end result is a captivating, fresh and beautiful fruity/floral scent.
Top Notes:
Raspberry
Mid Notes:
Peony
Base Notes:
Patchouli
Seasons & Longevity
It’s a scent that works really well in spring through to summer and is definitely more of a light, daytime fragrance than a heavy evening one. Very easy going and also office safe.
I found La Vie est Belle en Rose to last 5+ hours with reasonable sillage and projection, making it a good all-rounder for an everyday fragrance.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | Well-balanced bend of rose and raspberry with a touch of musk |
| Cons | Does smell like many other fragrances on the market |
7. La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum
Review
Last but not least, La Vie Est Belle Eau de Parfum is the crowd-pleasing fruity floral fragrance that started it all. Olivier Polge, Dominique Ropion and Anne Flipo created this scent in 2012.
The top notes of La Vie Est Belle are sweet pear and juicy blackberry, followed by middle notes of powdery iris, sweet jasmine and orange blossom.
Dry-down brings the warmth of patchouli, plus a praline/vanilla note that’s not listed. Settles to a gourmand praline/vanilla scent with berries and patchouli that’s similar to Zara Red Vanilla.
Top Notes:
Pear, Blackberry
Mid Notes:
Pallida Iris, Orange Blossom, Jasmine Sambac Absolutes
Base Notes:
Patchouli Essence
Seasons & Longevity
I find this fragrance too sweet for hot weather wear, so I recommend you save this for autumn/winter. Equally wearable day or night, it’s ideal for fancy lunches, shopping trips and nights out.
Performance is excellent, with this scent lasting 7+ hours with decent sillage and projection. Becomes sweeter and more gourmand as the hours pass.
Benefits & Drawbacks
| Pros | A versatile, elegant and youthful gourmand sweet fruity floral scent |
| Cons | You will smell like many others due to its popularity |
Ingrid’s Top Pick
La Vie Est Belle Intensement Eau de Parfum
La Vie Est Belle Intensement is my top pick because I simply fell in love with its duo of vanilla & raspberry with hints of iris, cherry and resin.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an expensive smelling fragrance that can be ready for any occasion, the best La Vie Est Belle perfumes are definitely bottle-worthy. I found that most of the collection lasted well, plus there is something to suit every taste, season and occasion.
Depending on the scent, La Vie Est Belle fragrances are currently available in 30, 50, 75, and 100ml (1.0, 1.7, 2.5, and 3.4 oz) size bottles.
As always, I recommend you try each fragrance in-store (or order samples online) and decide which one you prefer. Let them dry down for at least 20-30 minutes before making your final decision.
Further Reading
Below are some additional articles from Viora London’s blog. We write articles on a number of interesting lifestyle topics such as fragrance, beauty, luxury accessories and more.
La Vie Est Belle is such a classic fragance, I feel like you can’t go wrong with any of the perfumes from the line! I have a couple mini bottles and they’re amazing!