Lancôme: a brief history

Now a leading luxury perfume and cosmetics house, Lancôme didn’t start out that way. Lancôme was established in 1935 by Armand Petitjean. It began life purely as a fragrance house. Petitjean wanted the world to become aware of the French elegance that has become synonymous with the brand.

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From fragrance to skin care

After their launch at the World’s Fair in Brussels, the company’s first five fragrances were such a roaring success that the company ventured into producing a line of skin care. The first product, Nutrix, which is still available, was launched in 1936. It is described as a nourishing and repairing cream.

Two years later, Lancôme moved into the cosmetics industry, first making what was to become their best-selling lipstick for the next 30 years, a pink-red lipstick with a rose scent. The company went from strength to strength in fragrances, makeup and skincare until it was taken over by L’Oreal in 1964. Lancome makeup is generally considered one of the best brands in the world, particularly its mascaras and lipsticks.

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The rose symbol

Characterised by its distinctive golden rose, the name Lancôme comes from the ruins of a castle, Le Chateau de Lancosme, which, according to the Perfume Society, is a fairytale castle with turrets and towers. Roses grow in the gardens, hence the rose emblem. The lipstick lovers among us love the way it is engraved into the top of the silver cap, epitomising true French style. The rose features on all Lancôme makeup somewhere.

Famous faces

Many top beauty houses like to work with the famous faces of the day, and Lancome makeup is no different, enlisting Isabella Rossellini in 1982, Julia Roberts in 2010, Kate Winslet in 2011 and Penelope Cruz in 2014, to name just a few. It’s interesting to keep in mind that Petitjean reportedly once said that Lancôme would never advertise!

All-round beauty

Today, you will only find Lancôme concessions in high-end stores and leading chemist chains on account of its prestige. It regularly develops new fragrances and other products. Lancôme believes its clients deserve only the best. Lancôme has a vast range of perfumes, skin care and makeup to suit all ages and skin types, so there really is something from this line that will make every woman feel beautiful!