Description
Lancome launched La Vie Est Belle in 2012, which was followed by editions such as La Vie Est Belle L’Eau de Parfum Legere from the 2013 and La Vie Est Belle L’Eau de Toilette from 2014. In the second half of 2014, La Vie Est Belle L’Absolu is also launched, more intense and more luxurious than the previous ones.
It was developed by perfumes Dominique Ropion and Anne Flipo, who chose to emphasize the sweet notes of the original. The composition opens with accords of black currant and pear. The heart is composed of sweet iris, orange blossom, jasmine absolute and Damascus rose. The base includes tonka bean, praline and cashmere.
The perfume will be represented by actress Julia Roberts again. It is available in bottles of 20 and 40 ml.
Gosha_61 – :
Pure heaven in a perfume bottle! This is LVEB on a sugar high and I love it! It’s got the same ladylike base as LVEB, but with a sugary marshmallow topping. I’m obsessed. I crave this perfume. It’s one of the only perfumes that lasts more than a couple of hours on my skin.
Messiah-hw – :
@Lailalovesperfumes: I was the same as you, I had bought this last year & thought I had made a mistake in buying it because this stuff is at the nuclear level, lol. But I found especially with this LVEB flanker, because it’s so potent & strong, to do the cloud gesture, spray and walk into it, then you’re good to go. Even just two spritzes in the air will last me the whole day. Hope this will help you hun and everyone else trying this flanker. 🙂
grief62 – :
Wow, is this incredible! This is the ultimate LVEB flanker. It’s truly delicious, so rich, so smooth, so heady. I like LVEB but I adore L’absolu. Super sweet and long-lasting, with good sillage. The bottle is a work of art, so heavy and expensive looking. Must try for LVEB fans!
Edited: too sweet and potent for me unfortunately. Absolutely beautiful but I just can’t wear it. You have to really love heavy, sugary sweet scents to appreciate this.
бельбао – :
I am currently having a torrid love affair with LVEB and have been exploring the flankers.. so far my favorites are this one and Intense.. but LVEB is my ride or die. It’s been awhile since I’ve truly felt I had a signature fragrance as I am rather fickle and fall in love with something new all the time, but LVEB has really won me over.
Absolu is the ultimate dessert flanker. This makes me so hungry when I wear it. Straight up buttery, slightly burnt, sugary praline. I don’t get that same vibe/feel as I do from LVEB, I find that these fragrances are sufficiently different from each other that it isn’t redundant to own both. Likewise I find it completely different from LVEB Intense, which definitely has the LVEB DNA but more restrained, with smooth hazelnut instead of praline and fuzzy tuberose in place of the sharp orange blossom and patchouli.
Anyway, it’s quite strong! Two sprays will do. Maybe one spray will do but I love it so much I have to do two! Where LVEB is my ultimate fruitchouli, Absolu is my ultimate gourmand. I literally smell like a bakery when I wear this. It’s sooo delicious, utterly photorealistic praline. I’ve never smelled anything like it and I’ve put my nose on quite a few fragrances with praline notes.
The bottle is gorgeous, by the way. Very heavy and high quality, the juice is lovely dark amber and the top is metal. A classy touch!
vadimbraga – :
Luxurious version of LVEB. L’Absolu smells so gorgeous and expensive on my skin. As much as I feel “loved” by LVEB, I feel “spoiled” by this L’Absolu. Dare I say that if you have “problems” with LVEB and its flankers, L’Absolu will fix it for you. This is the very advanced goodness of the line, head of the house hold. There is a beautiful and well balanced ratio between the notes combining in such a lovely and dreamy harmony. I cannot put into words how rich, deep, creamy, buttery, seductive, additive and SMOOTH this one is. Everything was done just RIGHT and perfect to my taste. And I just need TWO gentle sprays behind my ears in order to make my day! Such a great accessory to make a lady feel sexy and wanted.
I understand that LVEB has been popular during the hype, but to be honest, I haven’t quite smelled it on anyone that I know, and rarely caught a whiff of it in public anywhere, so this L’Absolu will definitely stand out even more, as the most unique scent for sure.
LVEB is like a delicious and comforting homemade meal while L’Absolu is like a signature gourmet dish prepared by a professional chef in a fancy restaurant. And the bottle is well made with nice quality as well. It feels pretty heavy for containing just over an ounce of the precious juice. It also comes with a heavy silver metal cap instead of a plastic one. The color of the perfume however is more like a dark amber/honey in reality, NOT a deep pink as seen on the photo of this page.
If you LOVE the original LVEB, you will be happier with this L’Absolu than with other flankers. Yes, “life is beautiful” with this one in it!
TTipotwyT – :
THIS IS SIMPLY MAGICAL!! If you don’t like that strong, screechy patchouli note in the first LVEB (which can be a bit off putting) then you will love this one, because the patchouli is pretty much not noticeable in this, to my nose anyways. It’s got the most gorgeous, buttery iris note, so warm, creamy… very seductive! Every time I wear it I get at least one compliment from both men & women, people asking me constantly what am I wearing? While I found the original La Vie Est Belle to be more of a floral fragrance, L’Absolu is a decadently sweet, true gourmand. The longevity of this fragrance is amazing & the main reason I would recommend investing in it. Don’t forget as with all of the LVEB perfumes, they’re VERY strong, so do the cloud gesture, spray and walk into it, then you’re good to go.
mpl – :
I love this version ..and I’m buying another one.
barbosh – :
I’m not a fan of the LVEB line, let me just start with that, I just don’t care for it. But this is a scent fit for a princess, the quality is shockingly good, better than many niches double its price. It’s rich, deep, smooth, and so utterly delicious. You get all the notes listed and they meld and blend together flawlessly, a divine symphony of sweetness. You’ll smell like dessert, but the most expensive dessert crafted by the King’s personal chef.This scent makes original LVEB smell like a less refined, pedestrian copy in comparison. Worth hunting down for. Two spritzes is all that’s needed, it’s very potent and will stick to you till your next shower (and maybe beyond). A head-turner, and you will get compliments left and right.
If you are a gourmand-scent lover looking for something elegant, sensuous and refined, try it. Worth every penny. I’ve had my bottle for more than 3 years, and it smells even better now than I remembered, it is aging beautifully so far. I save this one for special occasions because I don’t want to run out.
D2Opromotion – :
My next one right here.. this collection is better than a lot out there right now and bottles are limited .. this is so beautifully sweet I’m loving it thanks lancome
OFohenQ – :
I would never buy a fragrance that doesn´t last whole day. This perfume has no problem with longevity, it lasts all day and just two sprits are enough. I would say it is great, people around you recognize the smell. My colleague asked what perfume I was wearing, so I told her LVEB Absolu version. So she went to the store and tried it, but on her it was too much. But what is the point of buying sooo expensive perfumes such as Chloe´s, and after 1 or 2 hours there is nothing left? I would rather buy this, as it is still there after 10 hours 🙂 I highly recommend this perfume.
takarralO – :
I tried this yesterday at Debenhams, and oh my god. It was every bit as beautiful as i had imagined it to be. To me its reminiscent of lipstick and makeup partially but its so sweet too. I adore it. Projection was really really good as with two sprays i got complimented much later in the day! Lasting power is also impressive. These two things dont come as a surprise to me though given its an intense version of la vie Est belle! Fantastic. I really hope to get hold of it one day.
саща – :
I can’t seem to find this anywhere at shops in Australia?
Countercsru – :
People generally complain that we don’t need Absolue version (or the Intense one) because the Original is already nuclearly sweet and potent, but Absolue and Intense don’t necessarily mean the original juice x10, no, it means a different perfume, in the same family, as they are flankers of course, but still, their juices are TWEAKED. For the better in my opinion in all LVEB flankers (even EDTs)
I do not like the Original, in fact I almost despise it. But the flankers though, guys, do give them a shot. Absolue is another flanker of the LVEB line that I test and approve, it is better than the Original.
It is sweet, it is really, really, really sweet. Heady and dizzying sweetness… this is the overall final impression you are going to get from the juice. Spray it ONCE on your decolletage first days of spring when it’s still kinda cold, or on those days of autumn when it’s the end of summer-beginning of winter, but ONCE, and let the scent fully wrap you around, it is beautiful, it behaves as a perfume and not as sticky – cloying burnt sugar mess with some smoke pretending to be patchouli…(= the Original, duuuh…).
It’s a festive scent, it’s joyful, happy, smells like a celebration, like Christmas gatherings, like the happiness that is all around and everywhere, during Christmas time, a spritz of the Absolue will instantly put a smile on your face…These findings come from a depressive and melancholy 25 yo woman, and trust me, if it did make me smile, then it truly what it promised to be. I rarely wear sweet scents, they are not my first choice, but the 10 ml decant that I got is pretty sufficient for me to use!
But let’s get onto the juice, that’s the reason we are here:
Now, the notes are awfully similar with the Original, but for the discerning nose they are not the same juice, now that I know both, I would never confuse them.
Opening is right away sweet bergamot, very juicy, very sweet, the blackberry is there, caramelic, melting, not harsh, not abrasive, lots of vanilla follows up, foody yes, but not offensive, it’s blended well, better than the Original. So juicy-sweet!
I sense cassia(?), it’s winey, something from Si Armani comes to play along, and then it’s florals. Guys…this is BIG on florals, orange blossom is actually huge here, but it works with the overall blend, I would say that it’s the key floral here, dipped in the most beautiful syrupy juice of fruit and melted caramel-vanilla.
The drydown will have a bit more amplified iris, balsamic nuances, something green, something cherry and something woody. A hazy note in the forefront that must be praline(?), cannot identify, sorry. Powdered and polished after-drydown. You will not notice when patchouli has settled in, it’s so damn well blended that patchouli is not gonna offend anyone, and it’s not medicinal, not smokey, not herbal, just enough woody, along with a very very carefully placed labdanum for a deeper balsamic base.
Let me repeat myself again: ONE SPRITZ and you get all the aforementioned bliss. Dare to use more or douse and this becomes HORROR.
See though, how the hand of Dominique Ropion is waaaay more evident in here? well done!
AlexeyRD – :
@ perfume_infatuated, thanks for your feedback, but the problem still remains: Fragrantica should insert the patchouli note in LVEB L’Absolu, because it’s definitely there. There are people who aren’t big fans of patchouli, so they shouldn’t be misled.
putinka91 – :
@ diana2015
I guess the Lancome site tends not to list all of the notes. I can smell the cashmere wood note in this flanker, and I find it similar (as a note) to that cashmere note extensively found in Burberry Body.
almolod – :
This one is the best of LVEB collection IMO. LVEB L’Absolu is more refined, deeper and even longer lasting than the original! However, I must say that some of the notes are incorrectly listed here on Fragrantica, and one particular note was omitted in this case (patchouli).
According to Lancôme official website (USA), the notes in L’Absolu are:
Transversal Notes: Iris, Fine delicacies accord
Top Notes: Pear, Blackberry
Middle Notes: Pallida Iris concrete, Jasmine Sambac and Orange Blossom absolutes
Base Notes: Heart of Patchouli essence, Vanilla, Cistus Labdanum.
On Lancôme France website the notes in L’Absolu are:
Notes transversales : Iris, Accord Gourmand
Notes de tête : Poire, Mûre
Notes de cœur : Concrète d’Iris Pallida, Absolus de Fleur d’oranger et de Jasmin sambac
Notes de fond : Essence de cœur de Patchouli
So, on the one hand the official websites mention patchouli as a base note in this fragrance (and indeed, whenever I tested L’Absolu I could definitely detect the patchouli note in it!). On the other hand, neither one of the official websites mentions the cashmere wood and rose (which are listed on Fragrantica) in L’Absolu.
Therefore, I think Fragrantica should update the perfume pyramid to fit the official formula of this great fragrance.
нютик – :
My all time favorite perfume. It was also my wedding day perfume. I love it, last long, doesn’t change on me, it is simply perfection. Sweet, cozy, beautiful.
Jimsense – :
This is best of LVEB line.Big love.
heo486intitytek – :
Hmm..got generous decant from swap. I just had to try it! I dont think this ones for me..its just too bland to my nose.its very sweet..but nothing else. I would not compare it to Flowerbomb at all. Its missing something. Guess im just not a LVEB gal after all. Flowerbomb is my main squeeze for sweets!
Edit:im feeling icky today..so that might be part of it.,will test again when I feel better..
zhasik96 – :
This was a blind buy a few weeks ago. I finally caved and ordered it off the Lancôme website, since I could not find it in any of the stores here in Ottawa, Canada. I have the original LVEB, which I absolutely love. This has been screaming my name for months, especially after reading all of the reviews you lovely ladies have thoughtfully written.
I really needed to wear this a few times to properly put my thoughts into words. I strongly feel this perfume needs a good hour to really fuse with your skin. Others have mentioned they smelled an odd top note, to which I wholeheartedly agree. To my nose, it’s a tinny, almost metallic smell that is rather unpleasant. This odd top note lasts for a good half hour to 45 minutes, after which I am left with an absolutely stunning, rich, heavenly scent.
I wouldn’t say this is ground-breakingly different than the original LVEB. No, they are of the same ilk, but L’absolu is richer, and with more depth and luxury. It’s still very sweet, but the sweet isn’t syrupy, like the original can sometimes be. Instead, it’s a super rich, praline dream, enveloping you in the most heavenly cloud of deliciousness. It smells of absolute quality and luxury – you are most certainly getting what you pay for with this beauty.
On me, the projection isn’t as enormous as many of the votes here. It was fairly heavy for the first few hours, after which the projection became moderate to heavy. I get wafts of this juice all day long, and others can definitely smell this on you (but it doesn’t enter a room before you do). On clothes, it lasts for days and days, and on my skin, a good 12+ hours. I should also mention that the colour of the fragrance is nowhere near the picture on Fragrantica – in fact, it’s not pink at all. It’s very similar to the original, except with L’absolu, it’s a richer, deeper peach colour.
Overall, this is a gorgeous fragrance, and I am very happy I bought it. It’s a beautiful addition to my collection, and if you’re a fragrance collector like me, and own and love the original LVEB – you need this in your life!
EDIT – October 26,2016
I’ve been told by several people now this is actually indeed very strong and can be a room filler. I got a little trigger happy this morning and sprayed two sprays on me, and my coworker said she could smell me from a mile away. That was awkward. I would highly recommend you spray this at LEAST an hour before you have to be somewhere. That first hour is seriously strong, and even after that first hour, it projects quite strongly and leaves an obvious trail. I still adore this though, and adore it even more for its strong projection. So many fragrances do a disappearing act on me, and I like the option of having others smell my fragrance if I want them to. Only now I know to go easy on the button – woops! This is even better than I originally thought – smells incredible and of pure quality.
ilsx – :
This really is a gourmand grand prize winner! Intoxicating! I find it similar to my favorite flanker La Vie Est Belle Legere, but of course richer, more intense, and longer lasting. It doesn’t have the patchouli sharpness that the original LVEB has, but that I also like, as neither does the Legere. But there is something a bit different than Legere. To me I get whiffs of baking dough smell in the Absolu now and then. Curious. It is just very creamy, comforting, lovely, lovely, lovely!! Lancome is doing an amazing job with their fragrances!! Bravo!
kazahok – :
Just to add there is no musk in Absolu
I agree in warm weather it would be a bit much, but I also wear it in summer, just a spritz!!
perehod – :
This is the queen of all gourmand perfume in my opinion. It’s like she is the new heiress of throne in gourmand sweet perfume kingdom which in the previous was owned by the legendary Shalimar Guerlain.
This perfume reach the finest and break the highest level of gourmandish scent where the Black Opium YSL, Si Giorgio Armani, Flower bomb V&R trying to achieve but never gotten to reach that level.
Another creation of gourmandish sweet perfume were created which I think closest to the finest as La Vie Est Belle l’absolu is also by Lancome. It’s La Nuit Tresor. This also smells very amazing only that this one has the Rose fluffiness to it. Smells as good as L’absolu, but L’absolu has something that La Nuit Tresor don’t have.
Extreme seductiveness !
Wear this and leave your trail and the people who smelled this will automatically force to glance or simply wanted to know who’s that goddess of seduction. Even if they don’t want to because of their envy on you. But it’s already too late, because once they have sniff this, it will entering their smells nerve sense and trigger their brain and force to react and stare at you. They surrendered.
Just one squirt, yes one squirt is enough to bewitch or hypnotize the crowd.
It’s Magic, seductive and remember Life Is Beautiful in absolute way.
romanpirs – :
@genny17…..yes i dont want more sweet from this version …the “INTENSE..version to me smells more floral creamy and with intense spice …this version is sweeter and softer which on me turns less sexy and more flat .The intense HAS A SEXY vibe with that femme floral touch and it becomes more interesting as the notes change through out the day and gets better. This one is dry pacholli and falls flat sweet after one hour.
rosvolgo – :
Love Absolu , with its buttery iris note, so warm, creamy..smells like a niche fragrance…I will disagree with the former review, I have Intense, and dispite its name, it isn’t that intense…it is less creamy, more like a sweet floral oriental…nice but not the same voluptuous vibe Absolu has ……I find Absolu more unique, and interesting..the longevity is great..lasts all day. Beautiful creation!
goldryzik – :
The intense version has a creamy clean floral vibe and the sweetness of this version is mellowed a bit and where this version is more musky or spiced like the original….the intense is the BEST VERSION!
vertimba888 – :
So glad I got a generous decant from a fun swap!I think this is a nice perfume,but quite strong in that I wouldnt need a fb.This 10 ml will last me.
This has similarities with Flower Bomb,but to be honest.FB is sooooo much better. This is a heavy sweet fragrance that lacks something for me. Just that little bit of something that FB has. Its well made,long lasting,but I feel like I would always reach for my Flowerbomb over this most days.
bullet2209 – :
I’ve sampled this and I absolutely love it, I already have the original but it lacked something,I don’t know,however on sampling this it really is intense and what I love….a lot more body and really beautiful.
I’m not sure why an intense version is available when for me this is intense and packs a punch!
It is a shame it is only in 20 or 40 ml but I’m assuming 2 scooches are all you need to wear it all day.
I only applied a small bit on my wrist and when my husband walked into the room he could smell it immediately and asked what the beautiful aroma was and was at least 6 feet away!!
Edit:
I know own this,what a beauty this is,iris,woods,praline,vanilla,pear,Jasmine,I detect these notes and i see why this is absolu,it is strong,strong is the word,and if you want the complements and want people to know that they can smell you,and you know that they know they can,then this is the fragrance to own.
So beautiful!!
ypo878speagoessenda – :
Wow, I am in absolute shock of how much more beautiful this is than I thought it would be. I don’t leave reviews stating the notes, because I don’t know much about that, but this is absolutely gorgeous. I have the original, and this surpasses it. It’s very sweet and quite strong on the initial spray, but the dry down is very smooth and sexy. Definitely luxury in a bottle. When I run out, I will be ordering more, because I can’t imagine not having this is in my life lol.
extrem61rus – :
Gorgeous version of LVEB heavy praline and smooth creamy vanilla with a good dose of patchouly, it smells amazing and lasts many hours leaving a fantastic trail for me the best version of LVEB
DenQuexulcetty – :
The first thing that came into my mind when I smelled it was “La Vie Est Belle with a lot of patchouli”. Then I came here and saw that there is no patchouli listed. It is a very beatiful perfume, I even like this better than the original, it’s more mature and not so overly sweet. But for those who doesn’t stand patchouli in perfumes may not be a sure choice, it’s better to test it before buying.
andrei.andres2011 – :
I sprayed it yesterday at 1:30 p.m. And today when I woke up I can still smell it little bit on my wrist guys this perfume’s longevity is crazy
obsem – :
An expensive blind buy! Which was pretty dumb because I didn’t really like the original much! That’s not to say I’m one of those to sneer at gourmand or sweet frags – far from it, I have and love Pink Sugar. Trouble is, now I have THAT particular candy bomb in my collection, other sweetie fumes seem a bit superfluous!
I guess I was attracted to this version because of comments about sillage and longevity – so many expensive perfumes have done a disappearing act on me within a couple of hours of spritzing that I’m a sucker for anything described as having huge sillage. And the notes DID look good. Truth is, I don’t love it. It’s good stuff, I’m not denying that. Definitely has more depth and interest than the original – it seems more ‘grown-up’ somehow, and a lot less linear. It SMELLS like a really high quality, expensive fragrance. Lancôme is just good at this!
BUT……. Sillage is moderate. Another reviewer mentioned it staying close to her olive skin – I have that skin type too, so maybe that’s why. And I’ve given myself four sprays instead of the recommended one! It’s also VERY sweet. Yes, the iris is more dominant here, but there’s also a ton of sugary stuff. For some reason it reminds me of a type of hard candy, rather than praline. I don’t know…….. I KNOW I smell good wearing it, and other people will probably really enjoy wafts of it as I pass them, but it’s not one that gets ME particularly excited. Maybe it just needs time……
Archers – :
This is gorgeous! Although it does not possess the heady sweetness of the original it has a sensual and intense depth which is so sexy!! It’s a must try!
rengar – :
This does not seem to be the same with LVEB L’Absolu de Parfum that I got, I love, and the Lancôme website is selling on the website.
The notes are slightly different.
The color of the juice is different, peach and definitely not pink.
Maybe it is a newer version that fragrantica has not added yet ?
According to o Lamcome website , the notes for LVEB L’Absolu de Parfum:
Top notes : Pear and Blackberry
Middle notes : Iris , Fine Delicacies, Palida Iris Concentrate, Orange Blossom and Jasmin Sambac Absolutes
Base notes : Heart of Patchouli essence
momfrelpVep – :
I wanted this fragrance to my dress up go-to, but I couldn’t resist. I need another bottle asap. It’s similar to the original in notes, but the similarities stop for me on paper. The difference in concentration makes all the difference. Amplified yumminess without any of the syrupy elements you can get from a concentrated sweet perfume.
starkofff – :
This is adorable. I find the original a bit too sweet but I have the new florale and I now have this. With the iris addition this makes it wearable on my skin and whereas musk is just plain sexy, this perfume is feminine sexy. I am so in love with the smell on my skin I keep sniffing myself. I don’t get that this perfume is strong, but I guess that’s my oily olive skin that means I can wear this absoli and it just works on me. My other half doesn’t like strong florals, which this clearly isn’t, but he likes this.
sotka – :
This perfume is too strong and (like a artificial scent) It smells so strong its offensive.
I just came back from the shops smelt three of these perfumes and this was just awful, way too intense the original is pretty and strong and lasts long.
Rognar – :
I love this fragrance soooooooo much!! My Hubby likes it too, I told him to pick one out of a bunch and he picked this one for me to wear 🙂 I like this one better than the original on my skin!! I’m so glad I got it
steelmap – :
I have bought this last night & I’m so happy. It’s a damn right choice, as soon as I have paid for it at the payment counter. I return back to the Lancome counter to get the tester bottle and spray in on my wrist dab it on my neck & another squirt at the back of my neck (on my shirt collar).
The first perfume that makes me feel like out of this world is COCO MADEMOISELLE CHANEL. It made me react so feel good inside, never ever in my life smell anything like it. Since then I never found any other perfumes that can make me feel like CM, not even the men’s cologne.
But this, yess ! On the first sniff it reminds me of something, the same emotion & feeling effect that only CM did to me previously.
Now I have two the best perfume in my collection. Coco Mademoiselle Chanel & La Vie Est Belle L’Absolu Lancome. This two perfume will marked in my perfume experience history as the best & extraordinary perfumes.
Gurlevim – :
Flankers.
Original – Like
Intense – My nose reject it
Absolu – Absolute Love
I like the Original one, but it feels like there something not complete in it. Not sure what is it but L’absolu complete everything that the Original lacks of !
It’s like a fully completed version of La Vie Est Belle line. Everything I love is there. The longevity, the sillage, the projection, the sweet yet sophisticated no tacky smells at all, the sweet bitter smooth but not too bitter smells. It’s a love for me !!
This is a one squirt per day kind of perfume. It will fully supply you the beautiful scent for the whole day up until night. Trust me on this.
I thought I will love the intense version because it has good amounts of LIKE & LOVE fans, but my nose don’t agree with me. It reminds me of a dusty, old damp wood in an old abandoned house smells.
I haven’t own this, but this will be my monthly perfume purchase for Dec after payday that’s for sure plus this will be my first Lancome perfume ! And yes this will be on my 2nd favorite perfume rotation too.
The magic, went to Sephora last night and get a squirt of this on the paper tester strip put it in my room and imagine just one squirt can scented the whole room air. That’s how remarkably this perfume is. This is a must get perfume to be added in the personal collection.
DGrego – :
I love this one the best of all of them, yes I have had em all. I might have a problem with my perfume addiction. Patchouli is not listed for this one? Why? It certainly does have it. This one has the best staying power so go lightly. It’s sweeter and just delicious.
gvshapkins – :
I admit to being a huge LVEB fan. I have the original EDP and the Intense version as well as this.
I love them all in different ways and for different reasons.
Sometimes I enjoy the crackly note of the original, sometimes I’m in the mood for the creaminess of the Intense and sometimes I’m in the mood for this one.
This is just as rich as the Intense version but it’s boozy rather than creamy. Perfect for snuggling in front of the fire on a winter’s evening with a big glass of red wine.
Very well blended and very good quality.
Death23 – :
I don’t care for LVEB or any of the other flankers. But THIS I LOVE! It opens very similarly to LVEB Legere version. But this fragrance takes about 30-40 minutes to properly bloom. That’s when it starts to smell amazing. Like a very buttery-smooth, much more sophisticated, elegant version of the original. So decadent and feminine. Amazing drydown. Has a touch of that ‘lipstick’ vibe that I usually associate with Guerlains. I smelled it on a stranger recently while out shopping and followed her around like a creep to try and figure out the rich, divine-candy scent that was emanating off her. We were at a department store anyway, and when I finally plucked the courage to ask her what she was wearing, she directed me to LVEB L’Absolu. I had tested it once when it first came out last year, I liked it then and I thought it much better and classier than the original but never felt the need to purchase it…now I’m in love and bought a bottle ASAP (I wish it came in a bigger size than 40ml…that’s my one and only complaint). I don’t think I need to say that the longevity and sillage are both pretty extreme, spray with caution. Best for special occasions, evenings, or just anytime you wish to steal the spotlight and be memorable.
walli – :
Does nobody else find patchouli in this? Neither this nor LVEB is gourmand on me at all, but quite floral, ‘perfumey’… But, as a hippie scent, I really like this one!
Edit: it has dried down to being edible – candy floss, yumminess, pink girliness… just took a while to get there on me!
ShihS – :
I am not a huge fan of LVEB, in fact I don’t like it much at all. This, however, is fantastic. I wear it with the LVEB dry oil. It’s gourmand, warm vanilla, edible sweet notes a plenty. Delightful.
joshferiks – :
Much better than the original LVEB IMO. It lacks that sickening cheap chocolate smell that I detected in the regular version. This is still very sweet, but doesn’t come off as cloying to me. VERY intense sillage, one or two sprays will do fine. I kept getting whiffs of it all day. Good longevity too.
Seems like a quality perfume, I do wish it came in larger sizes than just 20 or 40ml though (I only see 40ml on Lancome’s USA website?)
zzc950InsuffBooni – :
Way way way better than the initial La Vie est Belle. I love this one, it is potent, feminin and elegant. Agree, the ingridients are far superior to any of its previous flankers and it has dairing, much and beautiful, unlike any of the latest Lancome releases. Well done this time! I think is one of the best Lancome fragrances of the 2000s. A release far from being shy, far from giving that closed to skin impression which drives me sick lately with all perfumes. This is a scent which says “I am here, love me or hate me, but make sure U acknowledge my presence what so ever way!” 🙂
screambitchscream – :
I was extremely impressed by LVEB L’absolue! My initial impression was “This smells like the original LVEB, but wrapped up into a lipstick form!”
I would say it still isn’t for the faint of heart – this still packs a punch, and I’ll probably still smell you from the moon, but this flanker is much more tailored to my perfume preferences.
In comparison to the original LVEB, this smells smoother, rounder – and is clearly lacking the iconic, crunchy patchouli sharpness. The amplified iris & additional woods note is extremely pleasant, giving this composition more of a grounded progression, and less of a jumble. Feels a bit more sophisticated, and also loses that “slightly burnt” base note (or at least that’s what I had previously encountered on my skin!)
You can definitely tell these two scent