Worn and loved by Emily Ratajkowski, Ariana Grande, FKA Twigs, and (allegedly, in the past) Taylor Swift, Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb has officially reached icon status in the fragrance world. Up there with Carolina Herrera Good Girl and Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, this floral and spicy perfume consistently makes it onto best-of lists. But does it actually live up to all this hype?
I'm a beauty editor with nearly 200 fragrances in my apartment right now (sorry to my roommate). With that in mind, I've gotten quite picky. Some scents I own purely for research purposes to compare with others on the market. Others feel important to have in my arsenal for their legendary status (Chanel No 5, for example). But the scents I'm actually willing to pull out, keep on my vanity, and wear on a daily basis? Those are the fragrances I really love. So if I'm putting Flowerbomb to the test, it's going up against the greats in my collection, which can be some tough competition. But... it passed with flying colors, TBH.
What does Flowerbomb smell like?
Key notes: Tea, bergamot, osmanthus, orchid, jasmine, rose, freesia, patchouli, musk, vanilla
Flowerbomb smells like flowers. Shocker! But it's actually not the bright, green floral perfume I would have expected. Upon first sniff, I really pick up on rose and tea notes, but immediately, it's grounded by patchouli. This gives the scent a sexy spiciness that dampens the fresh florals into a more mature, sophisticated realm. I'll be honest: The patchouli here is a bit overpowering, but it works in that way. It takes over and turns this into an entirely different scent that's powdery and smooth. But don't let that deter you if you prefer a more delicate perfume. This isn't loud or too strong. Sure, there are heady florals and spice, but the dry down is soft, thanks to the musky, vanilla base.
With Flowerbomb’s success in mind, Viktor&Rolf have launched four flankers since that mimic the DNA of the original with more intense and even additional notes. Peep a quick outline of each below:
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Extreme Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Raspberry, rose, jasmine, orange blossom, vanilla bean
Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Nectar Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Cassis, bergamot, orange blossom, osmanthus, vanilla, tonka bean, benzoin, patchouli
Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Peach, vine, orchid, vanilla bean
Key notes: Coconut milk, bergamot, mango, tiger lily, jasmine, freesia
Is Flowerbomb long-lasting?
A few spritzes of Flowerbomb on my wrists and neck will last five to six hours on my skin (and def longer if I spray on my clothes). Is it the most long-lasting, intense perfume I've worn? No, but it makes sense that this soft fragrance wouldn't have beast-mode performance. However, when I do want to be smelled from across the room all day long for some reason, I'll opt for Flowerbomb Extreme. This one dials up the longevity big time. I spray this on in the morning and can smell it when I'm taking off my makeup at night.
Is Flowerbomb a day or night perfume?
I don't really prescribe to the idea that some perfumes are for day or for night only. But I do think some scents read a bit strange when worn in an office versus, say, a nightclub. In Flowerbomb's case, you could totally get away with this in practically any scenario. It's light enough that it wouldn't overwhelm your deskmate at work. (I sit next to our beauty director who is very sensitive to fragrance, and she's never done that awkward cough when I've been wearing this.) But there's a slight ~sensuality~ from the spicy patchouli note that would make it a fantastic date-night perfume as well.
My Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb review:
I've been almost exclusively wearing Flowerbomb for the last few weeks to really nail my thoughts on this scent. But in all honesty, it wasn't exactly just because I was trying to do this experiment. If I hated how it smelled, I would have 100 percent ditched it in favor of one of my other go-tos (typically, a gourmand perfume). So when, I chose to douse myself in Flowerbomb for the Tate McRae concert this weekend, I knew it was something I really loved.
I think I was hesitant because it's so far off-base from what I usually go for. Floral perfumes just don't usually do it for me—I still have such a strong matronly-like association with anything powdery that I pretty much avoid it at all costs in fear of smelling like my great aunt. Plus, I'm also a stickler about designer, hyped fragrances. I don't want to smell like everyone else. Give me all the niche perfumes, pls. But for some reason, I don't even care when I'm wearing Flowerbomb. I just love that I smell pretty.
I can see myself wearing it on dates, for important meetings, out running errands—it's definitely "signature scent" worthy, if you're into that sorta thing. When I wear Flowerbomb, I just feel like I'm oozing class. Like, I have this aura that's emanating the version of me who sips her coffee while she carefully puts on her skincare routine at her vanity and slips on her kitten heels before hopping into a cab to the office. (I type as the real version of me is still in her PJs with an LED mask on at 11 a.m.)
Final thoughts:
Don't call it basic—call it iconic, okay? Flowerbomb might be one of the most popular scents in the world, but that doesn't make it any less alluring when you're wearing it. I really expected to come out of this test feeling indifferent, but I found a new go-to scent to wear when I want to feel important and polished. But I also have a newfound love for the flankers as well, especially mixing them with each other. There's truly a version for everyone, whether you like fruity scents (Tiger Lily), more youthful florals (Nectar), or a deeper fall perfume (Ruby Orchid).
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan and has seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from reviewing Glossier perfumes to Le Labo Santal 33 dupes. She regularly tests and analyzes perfumes while working with the industry’s top fragrance experts to assess new formulas, brands, and trends.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
