The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
Benefit founded its reputation on products that make people smile as much as they perform. Laugh with me Lee Lee, released in 2009 from the brand's iconic Crescent Row collection, translates that mission into liquid form. The twin-founded San Francisco house wanted a fragrance that felt like a giggle, something approachable yet distinctive, pairing the irreverence of their makeup line with a scent profile that could stand on its own. Jean-Paul Tomassi crafted the formula with the brand's playful sensibility in mind, building from bright, accessible fruit notes into florals that feel feminine without being precious.
Benefit chose these notes because they balance immediacy with longevity. The blackcurrant, lemon, and melon opening provides instant appeal, the kind that makes someone stop and lean in. The jasmine, lily, and violet heart keeps the fragrance feeling personal rather than performative, and the amber and sandalwood base ensures it stays with you. Tog ether they create a fragrance that functions like its brand: bold enough to notice, charming enough to remember.
The evolution
The fragrance opens on skin with an immediate burst of tart blackcurrant and zesty lemon, softened by the cool juiciness of honeydew melon. This bright, fizzy opening lasts longer than expected, giving way gradually to a heart of jasmine, lily, and violet. These florals do not compete with the fruit; they extend it, transforming the initial brightness into something more rounded and Intimate. The drydown is where warmth settles in. Amber wraps the fading florals in a honeyed glow while sandalwood and woody notes leave a creamy, lasting trail. The progression feels like sunshine giving way to a warm evening, playful at first and quietly confident by the end.
Cultural impact
Although discontinued, Laugh with me Lee Lee remains a cult favorite among fans of early‑2000s boutique scents, celebrated for its bright fruit‑floral vibe and eye‑catching pastel bottle. Its playful packaging often pops up in vintage beauty collections, and the fragrance is remembered as a lighthearted alternative to more serious perfume houses, embodying Benefit’s tongue‑in‑cheek approach to beauty.
