Lancôme La Vie est Belle Absolu de Parfum (2014) {New Perfume}

Lancôme have released a new flanker to La Vie Est Belle (2012) {see review}, which since the two years it launched has imposed itself as "the favorite perfume of French women", according to the brand. The new jus is called La Vie est Belle Absolu de Parfum...

The popularity and quality of this fragrance cannot be denied by this inquiring nose who keeps bumping into its sillage everywhere and each time is struck anew by its composition qualities.

The Absolu de Parfum is meant to be a more luxurious version of the titular fragrance as it is described as being "the height of luxury and refinement".

It is not however as stated by the house, "the first gourmand iris" ("le Premier Gourmand Iris", capitalized), except perhaps in commercial ranking. Before it, and without going back to l'Heure Bleue, there have been Guerlain Iris Ganache and Van Cleef & Arpels Bois d'Iris, among the standouts. It is however exceptionally well made and even haunting.

The brand however like to stress that even La Vie est Belle L'Eau de Toilette (2014) is "the first gourmand magnolia".

The gourmand-iris accord has been enhanced thanks to a higher concentration at 33%. It then becomes an object of "haute parfumerie" thanks also to is flacon which becomes more excessive in terms of extra glass material not really needed to house the perfume.

The fragrance opens on top notes of pear and cassis followed by a heart of "sublimed iris" and jasmine resting on a base featuring the famous gourmand accord of vanilla, praline, patchouli and tonka bean.

Prices are 65,90€ for 20 ml and 93,50€ for 40 ml.