I first tried the new Lancôme fragrance release, la vie est belle, when I received a free sample vial of it through the post. I obviously liked it as I went out and bought a full bottle (in a gift set) about a week later after trying it a few times. 

This fragrance is a floral gourmand which I would say is pretty sweet and strong. On first spray I was immediately struck by its similarity to Viktor & Rolf's Flowerbomb as they both have the same sweetness and boldness. In my opinion La vie est belle is quite a powerful scent that makes a statement and it's not really a light and delicate floral for every day. 

To give a full picture of this scent, according to the Perfume Shop, the notes are as follows: 

Top notes
Black currant and pear

Heart notes
Iris, orange blossom, jasmine 

Base notes
Tonka bean, praline, patchouli, vanilla 

Personally I think that sometimes I get a definite aniseed type note coming through after a little while, and I cannot claim to be able to detect the supposed black currant and pear in the top notes. The scent is just like a general wave of sweetness and flowers. I think it has a slight powderiness to it too. 

As it is so strong, I have found this is one where less is definitely more. One day I sprayed it a bit too liberally and then went into a heated class room and I felt like the scent was radiating everywhere, which I didn't really like. Just one spray of this is sufficient for me. It lasts all day and it's sillage is huge - it can definitely be smelled by others without them having to come up close. 

I would say this is a perfume which requires a bit of confidence to wear and it is quite a mature scent. I guess they have hinted that it is a bit more mature by using Julia Roberts as the face of the campaign rather than a younger celebrity. I could not really see a young teen pulling this fragrance off. I think this is a good one for winter nights out. 

The bottle is simple and stylish, with a chunky heavy bottomed glass bottle, which is very slim from the side on and which shows the pale pink perfume inside. It has a little silver ribbon around the neck which apparently are supposed to look like wings. Personally I do like the name and packaging.