Sandra‘s Closet

10 years ago, I attended the launch event of Lancôme’s iconic «La Vie Est Belle» Eau de Parfum on a rainy day at Dolder in Zurich. This September, the French beauty house invited me again to celebrate one decade of its intoxicating notes with a fun party at Samigo Amusement. The weather was much better and the location offered all sorts of instagrammable spots and entertainment, from glitter tattoos to turning the wheel of fortune.

Until today, Julia Roberts is the face of the campaign. Her radiant personality and iconic smile symbolize the epitome of feminine grace and happiness that the scent aims to capture. With notes of Iris spring flowers, intoxicating patchouli, delicious praline and sensual warm vanilla, it is a gourmand scent. Over the years, several flankers have been launched. The fragrance is a true embodiment of Lancôme’s heritage with the «Crystal Smile» bottle, first designed in 1949 by Georges Delhomme.

Top notes: Pear and black currant
Middle notes: Orange blossom, jasmine and iris
Base notes: Praline, tonka bean, vanilla and patchouli

Life is beautiful – this was the message of the night! A beautiful event with memories to be cherished for a long time.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: © Sandra Bauknecht
@lancomeofficial #Lancome #LaVieEstBelle #MakeTodayBeautiful
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The press event for the launch of Lancôme‘s newest fragrance LA VIE EST BELLE started with the following statement:
“Lancôme is not a brand, it is a philosophy of femininity.”

The French house is turning over a new leaf. The scent is meant to be a declaration for a new era. In a world full of diktats and conventions, there must be another way. Therefore, the concept plays with the idea of natural and simple beauty, the choice of once own vision of happiness and freedom. This shows best in the advertising film directed by Tarsem Singh (Mirror, Mirror), in which the face of the campaign, beautiful Julia Roberts, frees herself from being an imaginary puppet on a string (Click here for the making of).

This gourmand and elegant composition was developed by three famous perfumers together, Olivier Polge, Dominique Ropion and Anne Flipo. It took them three years of probation and endless versions to create the final formula that includes 63 ingredients with iris playing the lead, surrounded by orange blossoms and jasmine as middle notes. I especially like the warm and powdery base with accords of tonka bean, praline, patchouli and vanilla. This fragrance is surely going to be a new bestseller, following in the steps of its famous predecessor Trésor.

The flacon is a redesigned version of the classic Lancome bottle from 1949. It is a masterpiece of crystal in the shape of a smile, a square in the circle that achieves the impossible. Happiness captured in a bottle.

Top notes: Pear and black currant
Middle notes: Orange blossom, jasmine and iris
Base notes: Praline, tonka bean, vanilla and patchouli

Available in Switzerland in September 2012.
Eau de Parfum 30ml (CHF 75.-), 50ml (CHF 115.-) and 75ml (CHF 145.-)
Shower Gel 200ml (CHF 59.-) and  Body Lotion 200ml (CHF 66.-)

The press event took place at the Dolder Hotel in Zurich. The weather was definitely not co-operating but you have to take the rough with the smooth. No matter what: La vie est belle – Light up the world with a smile from the heart, like Lancôme’s lovely PR-lady Magi.

LoL, Sandra

Photos: Courtesy of Lancôme and © Sandra Bauknecht