Lancôme: A Guide to the Iconic French Beauty Brand

By Your Beauty Plug
February 6, 2024

Lancôme is one of the most renowned and respected beauty brands in the world, offering a range of high-quality products for skin care, makeup, and fragrance. Whether you are a loyal fan or a curious newcomer, this blog post will give you an overview of the brand’s history, best-selling products, reviews, dupes, coupon codes, loyalty programs, and frequently asked questions. Let’s dive in!

Background of the brand

Lancôme was founded in 1935 by Armand Petitjean, a former employee of Coty, a perfume company. Petitjean wanted to create a French alternative to the American and German brands that dominated the market at the time. He named his brand after the Château de Lancosme, a castle in the Indre valley of France, where he had spent his honeymoon. He also chose the rose as the symbol of the brand, inspired by the roses that grew in the castle’s garden.

The brand’s first products were five fragrances: Tropiques, Tendre Nuit, Kypre, Bocages, and Conquête. They were launched at the World’s Fair in Brussels, Belgium, in 1935, and received a warm reception from the public and the press. The following year, Lancôme expanded its product line to include skin care and makeup, with the launch of its first face cream, Nutrix, and its first lipstick, Rouge Saphir.

Since then, Lancôme has grown to become a global leader in the beauty industry, with a presence in over 160 countries and a portfolio of over 600 products. The brand has also collaborated with many celebrities, artists, and influencers, such as Isabella Rossellini, Julia Roberts, Kate Winslet, Lupita Nyong’o, Zendaya, and Chiara Ferragni, to name a few. Lancôme’s mission is to empower women with beauty and happiness, and to celebrate their diversity and individuality.

Best-selling products

Lancôme offers a wide range of products for every beauty need and preference, but some of its products stand out as best-sellers and cult favorites. Here are some of them:

La Vie Est Belle: This is Lancôme’s most popular fragrance, launched in 2012. It is a sweet and floral scent, with notes of iris, patchouli, praline, and vanilla. It is inspired by the idea of living a happy and beautiful life, and it is represented by the actress Julia Roberts, who embodies the Lancôme woman.
Advanced Génifique: This is Lancôme’s signature skin care product, launched in 2009. It is a serum that claims to improve the appearance of the skin in 10 key signs, such as radiance, firmness, texture, elasticity, and clarity. It is formulated with a patented complex of prebiotics, probiotics, and hyaluronic acid, that helps to strengthen the skin’s barrier and microbiome. It is suitable for all skin types and ages, and it is used by over 25 million women worldwide.
Teint Idole Ultra Wear: This is Lancôme’s best-selling foundation, launched in 1997. It is a liquid foundation that offers full coverage, long-lasting wear, and a natural matte finish. It is available in 50 shades, catering to a diverse range of skin tones and undertones. It is also enriched with SPF 15, to protect the skin from sun damage. It is ideal for oily and combination skin, and for those who want a flawless and shine-free complexion.
Hypnôse: This is Lancôme’s iconic mascara, launched in 2004. It is a volumizing mascara that coats every lash with a rich and creamy formula, creating a dramatic and hypnotic look. It is customizable, allowing you to build up the intensity and the curl of your lashes, from natural to glamorous. It is also smudge-proof, flake-proof, and clump-proof, and it comes in different variations, such as waterproof, drama, and doll eyes.

Reviews

Lancôme’s products have received many positive reviews from customers, experts, and influencers, who praise the brand’s quality, performance, and innovation. Here are some examples of reviews from different sources:

Influenster: This is a website where users can rate and review products and discover new ones. Lancôme has an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on over 300,000 reviews. Some of the most reviewed products are La Vie Est Belle, Advanced Génifique, Teint Idole Ultra Wear, and Hypnôse.
Allure: This is a magazine that covers beauty, fashion, and lifestyle topics. Lancôme has won several awards from Allure, such as the Best of Beauty Award, the Readers’ Choice Award, and the Breakthrough Award. Some of the products that have been recognized by Allure are Advanced Génifique, Teint Idole Ultra Wear, L’Absolu Rouge, and Bi-Facil.
YouTube: This is a platform where users can upload and watch videos on various topics. Lancôme has been featured and reviewed by many beauty influencers and vloggers, such as Tati Westbrook, NikkieTutorials, Jackie Aina, and James Charles. Some of the products that have been tested and recommended by them are Advanced Génifique, Teint Idole Ultra Wear, Monsieur Big, and L’Absolu Lacquer.

Dupes

Lancôme’s products are considered to be high-end and luxurious, which means that they are also expensive and not affordable for everyone. However, there are some alternatives or dupes that offer similar results and benefits, but at a lower price. Here are some examples of dupes for some of Lancôme’s products:

La Vie Est Belle: A dupe for this fragrance is Pink Sugar by Aquolina. It is also a sweet and floral scent, with notes of cotton candy, caramel, vanilla, and berries. It is less sophisticated and more playful than La Vie Est Belle, but it is also much cheaper and more accessible.
Advanced Génifique: A dupe for this serum is Revitalift Derm Intensives 1.5% Pure Hyaluronic Acid Serum by L’Oréal Paris. It is also a serum that hydrates and plumps the skin, improving its texture and elasticity. It is formulated with pure hyaluronic acid, which is a key ingredient in Advanced Génifique. It is less potent and less comprehensive than Advanced Génifique, but it is also more affordable and more widely available.
Teint Idole Ultra Wear: A dupe for this foundation is Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation by L’Oréal Paris. It is also a liquid foundation that offers full coverage, long-lasting wear, and a natural matte finish. It is available in 22 shades, which is less than Teint Idole Ultra Wear, but still covers a decent range of skin tones and undertones. It is also enriched with SPF 15, to protect the skin from sun damage. It is similar in performance and quality to Teint Idole Ultra Wear, but it is also cheaper and more accessible.
Hypnôse: A dupe for this mascara is Lash Sensational by Maybelline. It is also a volumizing mascara that coats every lash with a rich and creamy formula, creating a dramatic and sensational look. It is customizable, allowing you to build up the intensity and the curl of your lashes, from natural to glamorous. It is also smudge-proof, flake-proof, and clump-proof, and it comes in different variations, such as waterproof, luscious, and sky high.

Coupon codes and loyalty programs

Lancôme offers various ways to save money and get rewards when shopping for its products, such as coupon codes and loyalty programs. Here are some examples of them:

Coupon codes: Lancôme occasionally offers coupon codes that can be applied at checkout to get discounts, free shipping, free samples, or free gifts. Some of the coupon codes that are currently available are:
- SPRING : Get 20% off on orders of $75 or more, 25% off on orders of $125 or more, or 30% off on orders of $175 or more. Plus, get a free 7-piece gift on orders of $45 or more, and a free 3-piece gift on orders of $80 or more. Valid until April 30, 2024.
- ROSE : Get a free full-size Rose Jelly Mask on orders of $75 or more. Valid until April 30, 2024.
- WELCOME : Get 15% off on your first order when you sign up for Lancôme’s email newsletter. Valid for one-time use only.
Loyalty programs: Lancôme has a loyalty program called My Lancôme Rewards, where you can earn points for every purchase, review, or referral you make. You can also get access to exclusive offers, gifts, and events. Some of the benefits of the loyalty program are:
- Points: You can earn 10 points for every $1 you spend on Lancôme’s website or at participating retailers. You can also earn 50 points for every product review you write, and 100 points for every friend you refer who makes a purchase. You can redeem your points for rewards, such as free products, samples, or discounts.
- Offers: You can get access to exclusive offers, such as birthday gifts, early access to new products, personalized recommendations, and invitations to special events.
- Tiers: You can unlock different tiers of benefits, depending on how many points you earn in a year. The tiers are:
  - Member: This is the basic tier, where you can join for free and start earning points and offers.
  - Silver: This is the second tier, where you need to earn 2,000 points in a year to qualify. You can get a free full-size product of your choice, worth up to $50, as a welcome gift. You can also get free standard shipping on all orders, and a free engraving service on select products.
  - Gold: This is the third tier, where you need to earn 6,000 points in a year to qualify. You can get a free full-size product of your choice, worth up to $75, as a welcome gift. You can also get free 2-day shipping on all orders, and a free makeup consultation with a Lancôme expert.
  - Platinum: This is the highest tier, where you need to earn 15,000 points in a year to qualify. You can get a free full-size product of your choice, worth up to $100, as a welcome gift. You can also get free overnight shipping on all orders, and a free personalized skincare routine with a Lancôme expert.

FAQs

Lancôme’s website has a section where you can find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the brand and its products. Here are some examples of FAQs:

Q: Are Lancôme’s products cruelty-free?
A: Lancôme does not test its products or ingredients on animals, except where required by law. Lancôme is committed to finding alternative methods to animal testing and supports the development of cruelty-free cosmetics.
Q: How can I find the best shade match for my skin tone?
A: Lancôme offers a tool called Shade Finder, where you can upload a selfie or use your camera to scan your face, and get a personalized shade recommendation for your foundation, concealer, and powder. You can also use the Virtual Try-On feature, where you can see how different products and shades look on you in real time.
Q: How can I get samples of Lancôme’s products?
A: Lancôme offers free samples of its products with every online order, and you can choose up to three samples at checkout. You can also visit a Lancôme counter at a participating retailer and ask for a free consultation and samples of the products that suit your needs and preferences.

Conclusion

Lancôme is a brand that has a long and rich history, a wide and diverse range of products, and a loyal and satisfied customer base. Whether you are looking for a fragrance, a skin care product, a makeup product, or a gift, you can find something that suits your needs and preferences at Lancôme. You can also save money and get rewards by using coupon codes and joining the loyalty program. Lancôme is a brand that celebrates beauty and happiness and invites you to join its community of women who love themselves and their lives. If you are interested in learning more about Lancôme, you can visit its website, follow its social media accounts, or visit a Lancôme counter near you. Thank you for reading this blog post, and I hope you found it informative and enjoyable.