Have you ever walked past someone and immediately stopped them to ask what they were wearing? One of the first things that we notice about a person is their scent. La Vie Est Belle is a stunning fragrance from Lancôme. The signature notes of this perfume include iris, patchouli, vanilla, jasmine, and orange blossom. It has a long-lasting fragrance that reveals its gourmand roots as the scent evolves.
La Vie Est Belle by Lancôme has been a best-selling perfume, beloved for its rich citrus and iris notes and its warm, powdery base notes.
In this post, I’ll outline some of the must-try scents that are similar to La Vie Est Belle. Whether you love La Vie Est Belle and are looking for affordable dupes, or you want to try a new perfume within the same scent profile, there’s a fragrance that’s right for you.
The Beauty of La Vie Est Belle
French for “life is beautiful”, La Vie Est Belle is a best-selling fragrance by Lancôme. It launched in 2012 and is an Eau de Parfum, meaning it has a higher percentage of oil concentration within the perfume compound. Its pink formula and classic square bottle shape have become a mainstay on the vanities of the most discerning perfume enthusiasts.
So, what makes La Vie Est Belle such a stellar perfume? For one, it’s a fabulous daytime fragrance for women. The top notes consist of iris, black currant, and pear. This gives the perfume an initial vibrant scent that is fruity and familiar. I read review after review from consumers that raved about the perfume’s longevity. Fans of La Vie Est Belle also enjoy that while it is floral, it isn’t overpowering.
The middle notes include Tunisian orange blossom and Arabian jasmine sambac. While the orange blossom is a middle note, lovers of La Vie claim that the citrus scent of the orange blossom is noticeable from the first application. The perfume dries down to reveal subtle base notes of praline, tonka bean, vanilla, and patchouli. This gourmand scent lingers on the skin and leaves behind a warm, sugary diffusion.
La Vie Est Belle is a luxurious floral and unapologetically feminine scent, so it’s easy to see why many are eager to find a perfume that’s similar to Lancôme’s timeless original.
I’ve searched the beauty shelves and put my nose to the test and I’ve compiled the ultimate list of fragrances that are similar to Lancôme’s La Vie Est Belle.
Our Top 3 Dupes of La Vie Est Belle
1. Red Vanilla from Zara
One of my favorite LVEB dupes is Red Vanilla, Zara’s Eau de Toilette impression. This scent made my roundup because, at $9.90, it is a great introduction to La Vie Est Belle and is a great scent for daily use.
Red Vanilla opens up with vibrant notes of cassis, iris, and vanilla. Red Vanilla delivers a sensual scent that has a softer gourmand element when compared with La Vie Est Belle. I recommend Red Vanilla for anyone who enjoys the iris and vanilla notes of LVEB, but desires an affordable option.
Highlights of Red Vanilla:
- Affordable alternative to La Vie Est Belle ($9.90 at zara.com)
- Features iris and vanilla notes
- The scent fades within a few hours
2. Dossier Gourmand Orange Blossom
Ok, I must confess. The dupe from Dossier is by far my personal favorite. It’s called Gourmand Orange Blossom and it shares many of the same notes as La Vie Est Belle.
The Dossier dupe differs from its inspiration in that it features hazelnut, pink pepper essence, and cashmeran in its composition. They also include iris in their composition, but refer to it as orris. Dossier’s formula weighs in at an 18% oil concentration, a true Eau de Parfum.
Gourmand Orange Blossom comes in a chic, 1.7 fl. oz glass bottle with a minimalist-style label, making this alternative an equally chic addition to your perfume vanity.
Gourmand Orange Blossom smells like a blossoming orange orchard. As a Florida native, I can attest that there’s nothing more fragrant than orange blossoms in the spring. There’s a warm, nutty quality to the perfume that reminds me of roasted almonds. Blended together, these notes create a unique scent that is reminiscent of La Vie Est Belle and yet its own original profile.
Highlights of Gourmand Orange Blossom:
- Vegan and Cruelty-free formula
- Features hazelnut notes
- Affordable alternative to La Vie Est Belle ($29 at dossier.co)
3. Oil Perfumery
Oil Perfumery creates amazing dupes of best-selling perfumes and colognes. The Oil Perfumery Impression of La Vie Est Belle comes in a travel-friendly 10 mL glass bottle and features a stainless steel rollerball applicator for seamless application.
Oil Perfumery’s Impression of La Vie Est Belle is similar to the original Lancôme scent because both perfumes share the same notes of iris, tonka bean, praline, and patchouli.
The top notes of Oil Perfumery’s formula include blackcurrant and pear. This differs from La Vie Est Belle’s top note of iris.
Oil Perfumery’s middle notes feature jasmine, orange blossom, and iris, while LVEB’s heart notes fuse patchouli, Arabian jasmine sambac, and Tunisian orange blossom.
Takeaways:
Highlights of Oil Perfumery:
- Affordable alternative to La Vie Est Belle ($15.95 at oilperfumery.com)
- Alcohol-free formula
- Features similar middle and base notes
- Travel-friendly size
Top 3 Perfumes Similar to La Vie Est Belle
Sometimes, a dupe simply won’t do. Once you find your favorite scent, you will want to have the strongest and purest formula of that perfume. La Vie Est Belle is a soft and sensual floral perfume, but there are other luxury perfumes that create a similar profile. There are many floral and citrus-based perfumes available on the market, but these are my picks for the top fragrances similar to La Vie Est Belle.
1. Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf
There’s no denying the magic of Flowerbomb. The alluring, rich scents of sambac jasmine and freesias give this fragrance its place amongst the circle of perfume greats. If you enjoy La Vie Est Belle, you’ll love Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf.
What makes Flowerbomb a fantastic alternative to La Vie Est Belle is the intense floral olfactory experience it delivers. Flowerbomb lands more floral on the nose when compared with La Vie Est Belle. While Flowerbomb contains the essence of vanilla, it doesn’t have the gourmand impact that La Vie Est Belle does in the dry down. Flowerbomb is a great choice for those seeking a rose and freesia-rich scent that diffuses slowly throughout the day.
Highlights of Flowerbomb:
- Floral perfume with rich rose and freesia notes
- A bold and feminine scent
- Excellent for daily wear
2. Sì by Giorgio Armani
Sì by Giorgio Armani is for the modern, chic woman who favors style and isn’t afraid to be a bit edgy. The standout olfactory features cassis as a top note, May rose and freesia as middle notes, and base notes of vanilla, patchouli, and musk blond wood.
Sì is similar to La Vie Est Belle due to the shared note of patchouli. While Sì utilizes vanilla, LVEB features tonka bean. Both notes work to create a similar gourmand experience for the wearer. Sì is also similar to La Vie Est Belle as both fragrances deliver a floral, feminine diffusion. Last but not least, Sì relates to La Vie Est Belle in their dry down and wearability.
Sì is feminine, but not a pushover. It’s soft and confident; fiery and yet tame. If you’re looking for a floral with dialed-up spice, Sì by Giorgio Armani is your ideal scent.
Highlights of Sì by Giorgio Armani
- A bold and feminine scent
- Major notes include rose, freesia, and musk blond wood
- $128 on ulta.com
3. The Only One by Dolce & Gabbana
When I was sampling these fragrances, the one scent that stood out from the crowd was The Only One. There is a radical floral aspect to this fragrance that makes it undeniably feminine. What The Only One delivers are rich bergamot and coffee notes that amp up the intensity of the perfume. Both perfumes are fresh and feminine scents that dry down beautifully to reveal nutty warm notes that linger on the skin.
When I close my eyes and inhale The Only One, I immediately am greeted with warm, floral notes. What The Only One has in common with La Vie Est Belle is the surge of gourmand in the beginning. While LVEB focuses on an iris olfactory experience, The Only One by Dolce and Gabbana features notes of violet and citrus.
The Only One is an excellent choice for those who love the lightness of La Vie Est Belle, with a shot of bold smoky notes.
Highlights of The Only One
- Features base notes of warm vanilla and patchouli
- Middle notes blend coffee notes and iris
- Available from $29- $122 at sephora.com
Conclusion
La Vie Est Belle is a stunning fragrance from Lancôme. The signature notes of this perfume include iris, patchouli, vanilla, jasmine, and orange blossom. It has a long-lasting fragrance that reveals its gourmand roots as the scent evolves.
While La Vie Est Belle is a wonderful fragrance for those looking for a sophisticated, feminine scent, there are many alternatives that are available to curious consumers.
For those who are reluctant to try a perfume with a dominant iris top note, I recommend trying Zara’s Red Vanilla. I also recommend trying Oil Perfumery’s impression of La Vie Est Belle for its spot-on take of the Lancôme fragrance.
If you’re looking for a luxury perfume with similar notes, I recommend trying Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf, Sì by Giorgio Armani. For a bold and nuttier version of La Vie Est Belle, I recommend trying The Only One by Dolce & Gabbana.
It’s easy to see (or smell) why La Vie Est Belle is one of Lancôme’s top-selling and beloved fragrances. The next time you’re in your favorite beauty store, dare to smell like royalty. Spritz some La Vie and enjoy a lush boutique of luxury that will leave you feeling your most sensual self.
By Jonell Melville