A young woman in thigh-high boots striding up Hollywood Boulevard, a movie star pushing open the door of a Notting Hill bookshop, a mother of three bringing an energy giant to its knees. For more than thirty years, Julia Roberts has been the smile of American cinema — and, since 2012, the smile of La Vie Est Belle, Lancôme's iris gourmand, whose face she has been from day one. A portrait of a muse and a perfume that have become inseparable, with the Olara perfumery selection from the Lancôme collection.
1“Pretty Woman”: a star is born
In 1990, Garry Marshall paired a twenty-two-year-old actress with Richard Gere in a romantic comedy nobody expected to fly so high: in “Pretty Woman”, Julia Roberts plays Vivian Ward, who turns the over-regulated life of businessman Edward Lewis upside down. The cascading laugh, the red opera gown, the jewellery box snapping shut on her fingers — improvised, and kept in the final cut: the film triumphed worldwide and earned the actress a Golden Globe. A smile became a universal language — the very one Lancôme would one day bottle, just as our women's fragrances bottle a mood.
2“Notting Hill”: the star and the bookseller
In 1999, Roger Michell filmed Richard Curtis's screenplay: in “Notting Hill”, Julia Roberts plays Anna Scott, the most famous actress in the world, who wanders by chance into the travel bookshop of a shy Londoner, William Thacker — Hugh Grant, imperial as the embarrassed hero. Between the neighbourhood's colourful facades and the garden bench, the film gave the actress her most dizzyingly self-reflective role: a star simply asking to be loved. Our opening image pays tribute to those pastel houses of west London — a backdrop of ordinary happiness, exactly the spirit of La Vie Est Belle.
3“Erin Brockovich”: the Oscar for tenacity
In 2000, Steven Soderbergh entrusted her with a true story: in “Erin Brockovich”, Julia Roberts plays a mother of three with no law degree, hired by a small Californian firm, who uncovers the contamination of an entire town's water and brings the energy giant responsible to account. Sharp tongue, high heels and sheer stubbornness: the performance earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2001, along with the Golden Globe, the BAFTA and the SAG Award. This time the smile was a weapon — and softness, a striking force.
4“Ocean's Eleven”: Tess, the elegance of the heist
In 2001, again with Soderbergh, she joined the chicest heist in Las Vegas: in “Ocean's Eleven”, Julia Roberts plays Tess, the ex-wife of Danny Ocean — George Clooney —, an art curator who becomes the secret stake of a three-casino robbery. Around her, Brad Pitt and Matt Damon complete the crew; on the latter, our article dedicated to Matt Damon extends the cast list into perfume. Evening gowns, chandeliers and green baize: Tess's elegance is already that of an eau de parfum worn on the stage of grand evenings.
5La Vie Est Belle: the iris gourmand with three signatures
In 2012, Lancôme launched La Vie Est Belle and gave its face to Julia Roberts — a duo the house has reaffirmed campaign after campaign, from the first advertising film to the most recent chapters. The accord bears three great signatures: Olivier Polge, to whom we also owe Flowerbomb by Viktor & Rolf, Anne Flipo, co-author of Libre by Yves Saint Laurent, and Dominique Ropion, the Master Perfumer behind Portrait of a Lady, to whom the Olara perfumery has devoted a full portrait. Their idea: to treat the noble iris root as a luminous gourmand. Blackcurrant and pear open the smile; iris, sambac jasmine and orange blossom compose a sunlit heart; praline, vanilla and patchouli wrap it in a sweet warmth that has travelled the world.
Did you know?
The screenplay of “Pretty Woman” was originally titled “3,000” — the sum offered to Vivian for one week — and was meant as a much darker social drama. Rewritten as a romantic comedy and handed to Garry Marshall, it became one of the genre's greatest successes. Happiness, sometimes, is a matter of rewriting.
6Which La Vie Est Belle to choose? The Olara selection
Happiness comes in several intensities. The 2012 eau de parfum remains the signature: the original iris gourmand of the founding trio. Intensément warms the accord for early-falling evenings, while Iris Absolu gives the iris root back the leading role, more powdery and refined. L'Elixir pushes jasmine and patchouli towards the evening, and its variation Very Cherry, new for 2026, pours in a ripe, mischievous cherry. Rose Extraordinaire brings the floral facet into bloom, Vanille Nude the sunlit gourmand one. After the shower, the Lait de parfum extends the trail on the skin; for the eyes, the iconic Hypnôse mascara completes the Lancôme wardrobe, to be found among our make-up. For gifting, the La Vie Est Belle gift set gathers the eau de parfum and its ritual companions. And to meet the house's other great face — Zendaya and Idôle — our dedicated article awaits. Find it all in the Lancôme collection and among our women's eaux de parfum.
Your questions, answered
Which perfume is Julia Roberts the face of?
Julia Roberts has been the face of Lancôme's La Vie Est Belle since the fragrance launched in 2012. The house has renewed the duo campaign after campaign, making her smile the emblem of happiness according to Lancôme.
Which films does Julia Roberts appear in?
She plays Vivian Ward in Garry Marshall's “Pretty Woman”, Anna Scott in Roger Michell's “Notting Hill”, the title role in Steven Soderbergh's “Erin Brockovich” — which earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2001 — and Tess in Soderbergh's “Ocean's Eleven”.
What does La Vie Est Belle smell like?
An iris gourmand: blackcurrant and pear on top, iris, sambac jasmine and orange blossom at the heart, praline, vanilla and patchouli in the base. The accord was composed in 2012 by Olivier Polge, Anne Flipo and Dominique Ropion, and has become one of the most worn women's fragrances in the world.
What is the difference between La Vie Est Belle, Intensément and L'Elixir?
The 2012 eau de parfum is the signature: luminous and balanced. Intensément warms the accord with a more ambery facet, built to last. L'Elixir heightens jasmine and patchouli for an evening trail — and its Very Cherry version, new for 2026, adds a gourmand cherry note.
Which version for autumn, or as a gift?
As the days grow shorter, Intensément and L'Elixir are the most enveloping; Iris Absolu plays the powdery facet of cashmere jumpers. For a gift, the La Vie Est Belle set — eau de parfum, shower gel and body lotion — makes a complete ritual, ready to slip under the tissue paper.
