The story of Lancôme
Armand Petitjean founded Lancôme in 1935 with the ambition of rivalling the great French houses. That same year he presented a series of perfumes at the Brussels World's Fair, before expanding into skincare and make-up, with the rose as the brand's emblem. The house joined the L'Oréal group in 1964. In 1990 Trésor, composed by Sophia Grojsman, became a classic: a powdery, apricot-tinged rose of great softness, later extended by Trésor Midnight Rose in 2011 and La Nuit Trésor in 2015. In 2012 La Vie Est Belle, by Anne Flipo, Dominique Ropion and Olivier Polge, introduced a gourmand, praline-rich iris that became one of the best-selling fragrances in the world. Idôle, in 2019, set out a cleaner, brighter rose in an ultra-slim bottle, aimed at a new generation of wearers who favour lighter, more transparent florals.
An olfactory signature
At Lancôme, rose and iris are often centre stage, softened by gourmand bases. Trésor pairs rose, peach and pineapple with iris and lilac over vanilla and sandalwood. La Vie Est Belle sets iris on a vanilla praline and patchouli base, with blackcurrant and pear up top. Trésor Midnight Rose and La Nuit Trésor pull the rose towards raspberry, strawberry, coffee and praline. Idôle, more pared-back, prefers a clean, musky rose. Softness, rather than edge, is the constant thread.
Which Lancôme perfume to choose?
For a bright, hugely popular gourmand, La Vie Est Belle remains the safe bet. Trésor suits lovers of powdery, vintage roses; Trésor Midnight Rose offers a younger, fruitier take, and La Nuit Trésor a dark, praline-rich night-time rose. If you prefer a clean floral without obvious sweetness, Idôle is the most modern and the easiest to wear at the office.
