La Vie Est Belle & Other Gems by Lancôme

When La Vie Est Belle launched in 2012, it shaped what it meant to be a young woman for an entire generation. It served as the first proper perfume for many girls, and in my humble opinion, it perfectly captured the transition between childhood and adulthood.

Yet, it is not Lancôme’s only gem. The brand has released several beloved, best-selling fragrances since then. Let’s take a closer look at a few of them.

1. Lancôme La Vie Est Belle

Before moving on to the other fragrances, I want to briefly discuss La Vie Est Belle. When this fragrance first launched, it was a must-have for young women everywhere. However, that doesn’t mean it was immune to criticism.

Many dismissed the perfume as a children’s fragrance, viewing it as too juvenile to be taken seriously due to the sweet notes that dominate its aroma. And yes, perhaps it appealed primarily to a younger audience, but so what? It was still a beautiful scent that ultimately became the blueprint for countless gourmand perfumes that followed. Today, La Vie Est Belle is considered an industry icon, instantly recognisable even amidst a sea of overly sweet modern fragrances.

2. Lancôme Idôle EDT

I consider the La Vie Est Belle and Idôle fragrances to be cousins. Idôle Eau de Toilette still carries a sweet aroma, but it feels significantly lighter and more refined. Perfectly capturing the clean girl aesthetic, Idôle offers a highly wearable, everyday scent profile. The vanilla here is faint, allowing lovely rose notes and an extremely refreshing opening to shine.

While La Vie Est Belle is generally considered a more versatile, year-round scent, Idôle, specifically the Eau de Toilette, is highly suited for summer. This flanker is perfect for the office or casual daytime wear, as its uplifting aroma can make the mundane feel a little more fun.

3. Lancôme La Nuit Trésor Intense EDP

La Nuit Trésor Intense, on the other hand, offers a sensual and mysterious take on the floral-fruity gourmand. Unlike La Vie Est Belle, which belongs to the same fragrance family, this scent isn’t quite as suitable for daytime wear. While the dry-down of La Nuit Trésor Intense shares some similarities with the latter, it feels significantly warmer and darker, featuring woody notes that are much more prominent.

This fragrance is ideal for evenings out and date nights with a long-term partner (perhaps skip it for a first date). The sour cherry note is beautifully prominent here, especially in the opening, though it does tend to fade as the fragrance dries down.

4. Maison Lancôme Jasmin D’Eau EDP

Jasmin d’Eau belongs to Maison Lancôme, the brand’s exclusive, high-end private fragrance collection. This is the scent of a beautiful cup of jasmine tea with a delicate hint of peach. To my nose, it is one of the most natural-smelling jasmine fragrances I’ve ever tried, and it smells incredibly luxurious.

Perfect for spring, Jasmin d’Eau features soft notes of creamy jasmine, juicy plum, bright bergamot, and fleshy peach. It is an elegant and intimate fragrance that sits beautifully close to the skin. If you’re looking for a louder, overtly sweet scent, this one isn’t for you, but for those who love intimate scents, it is a delight.

5. Maison Lancôme Peut-Être EDP

Another Maison Lancôme creation, and the only unisex option on this list, is Peut-Être. This is an elegantly inoffensive, clean rose with a slightly sweet benzoin-amber base. Peut-Être is a straightforward fragrance that delivers exactly what it promises.

Notes of rose, white musk, and benzoin are seamlessly blended to create the perfect, luxurious everyday scent. If you’re looking for a signature fragrance that isn’t overpowering yet retains a distinct sense of sophistication, this Maison Lancôme offering is a remarkably safe bet.

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