Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Vanille Nude 2025 by Anne Flipo and Dominique Ropion
A brand-new review for a brand-new fragrance: introducing Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Vanille Nude.
Lancôme La Vie Est Belle has become a phenomenon since its launch in 2012. Legend has it that it took 5000 versions before everyone agreed on the final result. There were three legendary perfumers involved: Anne Flipo (arguably the Goddess of white florals), Dominique Ropion and Olivier Polge, who is usually found making perfume for Chanel.
Personally, the original La Vie Est Belle was too sweet for me. I was getting on fine with the iris and the orange blossom, until the gourmand notes took over the party and that’s where we parted company. The praline, pear and blackcurrant needed to stay in their lane, if you ask me. I stand alone, it seems, since La Vie Est Belle has been an off-the-scale global bestseller since Julia Roberts launched it with her trademark smile.
Since then, I have genuinely lost count of the flankers (spin offs) that have been added to the collection. A true collector, set on owning every version and limited edition, would probably be bankrupt by now. However, the upside is that there is a version of La Vie Est Belle to suit every palate.
This year’s new launch is Lancôme La Vie Est Belle Vanille Nude, created by two of the original three perfumers, Anne Flipo and Dominique Ropion. The gourmand notes have left the building, and this fragrance says sunshine and flowers all the way. It agrees with me so much, I’m thinking of going steady with it. Let’s have a sniff around.
Head of the troupe are the solar notes. Now, this is an indistinct generic category that translates as sunny skies but appears not to have a definitive formula. It can vary from brand to fragrance. Solar notes will always mean summery, but, like amber and cashmere, they are fantasy notes. After all, sun, amber and fluffy jumpers don’t smell enough to make a fragrance, but I’m a sucker for whimsy, so I’m going with it.
I can discern the white flower genius of Anne Flipo, who once professed in an interview that orange blossom was her favourite note ever. She also performs alchemy with jasmine, as she does here. With an almost powdery white flower first act, La Vie Est Belle Vanille Nude moves with the grace of a ballerina, merging into gently, floaty white musks and a dusting of sandalwood. The vanilla is there as a golden organza shimmer in the middle, but doesn’t dominate, as vanilla sometimes can. And will!
My verdict? Highly wearable, perfect for summer nights and pretty gorgeous the rest of the time. This is the version of Lancome La Vie Est Belle that I like the best. Golden and white, whispery and sensual, this is a class act where jasmine and vanilla finally learn that you can capture a room with a whisper instead of a shout.
Where to buy it
I bought my sample from the Notino build your own discovery box page. You can buy a full bottle here.
Disclaimer
I paid for my sample and my opinion is my own. I have no affiliation with Lancome or Notino (But if they’re reading this, I’m listening!)