From its delicious and long-lasting scent, to a gorgeously giftable bottle – here’s why Carolina Herrera’s latest launch is set to be the top of gift lists this year
When it comes to Christmas gifting, few presents feel as luxurious and personal as a thoughtfully selected bottle of perfume. And there’s one fragrance in particular that I predict will be the must-have scent of the festive season.
I spent four years working on a perfume counter at Boots, helping shoppers pick out scents for a range of occasions week in, week out. I’ve seen firsthand what makes certain fragrances skyrocket in popularity during the gifting season – and Carolina Herrera’s latest launch, La Bomba, ticks every single box – and then some.
Created by master perfumers Christophe Raynaud, Quentin Bisch and Louise Turner, Carolina Herrera’s La Bomba launched earlier this year. It’s now available at retailers such as Boots and Sephora, and is already proving to be a favourite among fragrance fans.
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I got my hands on the scent last month and it quickly found itself in my regular rotation. The long-lasting floral oriental scent has earned me endless compliments already, and is expected to be a popular choice for recipients of all ages this festive season – and here’s why.
Perhaps the most important factor when purchasing a perfume for yourself, or someone else, is the scent itself, and La Bomba delivers a burst of fruity and floral notes that feel very unique. It opens up with top notes of exotic dragon fruit, which makes way for a sophisticated blend of cherry peony and red frangipani, bringing a sweet, almond flavour to the fragrance, rounding off with a warm base of solar vanilla. If I had to describe it in three words, I’d say it’s opulent, playful and bold.
La Bomba Eau De Parfum 30ml
“La Bomba Eau de Parfum opens with vibrant and exotic pitaya, creating a showstopping burst of undeniable character. At its heart, an exuberant bouquet of red frangipani and cherry peony blossoms with rich sensuality, celebrating the beauty of living life out loud. A radiant infusion of solar vanilla provides a joyful finish.”
It’s that same opulence that made Carolina Herrera’s Good Girl such a classic when it launched in 2016. The ageless and universally loved scent is a favourite of both my 87-year-old grandmother and my 34-year-old sister-in-law, with the navy stiletto-shaped bottle now sitting proudly on dressing tables around the globe. I truly feel that La Bomba has the potential to follow in its high-heeled footsteps in achieving cult-status.
Another reason it’s expected to be popular when it comes to festive gifting is brand trust. Carolina Herrera is a powerhouse in the perfume world and shoppers tend to gravitate toward designers they know and love – think Chanel, Marc Jacobs, YSL – especially when spending upwards of £60 on a gift.
Speaking of price point, a 30ml bottle of La Bomba will set shoppers back £67, while 50ml is £98 and 80ml is £126. But Boots customers can currently save 20% on the fragrance with the code SAVE20, taking the smallest bottle down to £53.60. Alternatively, those buying over 50ml can get a free Carolina Herrera La Bomba Eau De Perfum Megaspritzer 10ml. From experience, shoppers love to feel like they’re getting a good deal – and both of these offers add significant value to customers’ baskets.
In other perfume deals, LookFantastic has got plenty to offer, with 20% off Marc Jacobs Daisy Ever So Fresh Eau de Parfum for Women 30ml taking the price down from £62 to £49.60. Marc Jacobs is another reliable brand prime for gifting, with this particular fragrance offering notes of mandarin, mango and pineapple alongside rosewater and orange blossom.
I’ve often found customers also love when a perfume is promoted by a well-known face, which is why Yves Saint Laurent Libre Eau de Parfum 50ml could be a popular option, too, featuring Dua Lipa as the face of the fragrance. Usually £105, it’s now down to £78.75.
But what makes La Bomba so appealing for fragrance fans is its recency to the market. A brand-new release means the recipient is unlikely to already own it, and it also means that few people they know will be wearing it, making it feel extra special.
Presentation is key when gifting, too, and the La Bomba bottle is a real showstopper. It comes in a bright pink butterfly-shaped vessel, so it seriously looks the part. It’s also refillable, making it a more sustainable option, and cheaper to replenish in the long run – truly a gift that keeps on giving.
In conclusion, La Bomba has all the hallmarks of a Christmas 2025 bestseller. It’s fresh but trusted, smells beautiful and is long-lasting, will surely looks amazing under the tree and on perfume shelves and offers customers decent value ahead of the festive season. If I were still behind the Boots tills, it’s the one I’d be recommending to everyone this year.