Viktor & Rolf: Flowerbomb Summer (La Vie En Rose)

Viktor & Rolf have introduced Flowerbomb Summer Fragrance La Vie En Rose (shown at right), a new lighter, warm-weather version of their popular Flowerbomb perfume, featuring notes of mandarin and bergamot.

—–(via elle.nl)

Flowerbomb ‘La Vie en Rose’ is a colorful, fruity floral that opens with an explosion of citrus intertwined with sparkling pink pepper. The heart blends green and floral notes before evolving towards a gentle drydown.

—–(via http://www.osmoz.com/)

(I’m finally getting around to doing a review…)

So I bought this at the London Debenhams for around 45 quid, but it apparently retails around $80-$100 in US markets.  Anyway, it was time for a new fragrance.  If you know me, you know I have always been a very faithful subject of Escada- Pacific Paradise.  I’ve used the perfume and the lotion religiously throughout the end of high school (when I first discovered it) until now, and it has served me well.  However, if you know me, you also know that one of my biggest complaints (year round) is that I’m running out.  And that Pacific Paradise is no longer in production (being limited edition).  The new Escada fragrances are similar, but not me (I like them distinctively fruity & floral with sweet topnotes that mellow out into a sour, citrus-y twist).

So I’ve been out on a search for the past half year for the perfect fragrance.  I am extremely picky about perfume, and wouldn’t settle for anything but the one (can you imagine my love life?  haha, kidding), thus, it takes me a while to sample everything and decide.  In the end, I narrowed it down to Bvlgari- Omnia Amethyst and Viktor & Rolf- Flowerbomb.  My only problem with the Flowerbomb, however, was that it was too thick at times (esp for summer).  I ADORE the smell but it reminds me of the Coco Chanel I have.  Classic, but too mature for me. The Bvlgari was fine, but that was it…fine…and not extraordinary. Plus the bottle is SO cheap and ugly.

Then, by some amazing twist of fate, Lydia and I stroll into the fragrance section of Debenhams and ‘LO AND BEHOLD, Flowerbomb, summer edition in its adorable little pink grenade bottle.  There was no sample but I didn’t care–I bought it without smelling it or a second thought.  Just the idea of a lighter, fresher Flowerbomb was enough.

Anyway, I came back and tried it and it was PERFECT.  No strong initial smell of alcohol like my Escada, but my only gripe is that it doesn’t stay well.  I spray once (the spray comes out very full) and it’s enough for the moment; however, 4 or 5 hours later it’s so faint that you’d have to press your nose to my neck to get even a whiff.  Oh, and one other major problem—

ITS LIMITED EDITION.

Grrr, I always pick the shortlived ones!  I’d stock up but upon inquiry at the Viktor & Rolf counter at Bloomingdales I was answered with a quizzical stare.

“Summer fragrance?”

I had just come back from Philadelphia so I still had my toiletries in my bag.  I pulled out the little pink grenade and presented it to the woman behind the counter.  Her eyes widened as she carefully took the bottle and scrutinized it.  She asked, voice hushed, “May I try it?”

I nodded, amused by her reaction.

“We don’t offer this in the United States.”

Bummer.  Quy (who was with me) explained I had gotten it in London.  The lady gave me an “oh that’s why” face and handed the bottle back to me.

“The US gets everything a few years later.”

EDIIIIIIIIIT: THANK YOU COMMENTER APPARENTLY ITS AVAILABLE AT SEPHORA *joy YAYAYAYYYY lets stock up!