Lancome Paris perfumes is a branch of the large French cosmetics brand currently owned by L’Oreal.  Lancome was originally founded in 1935 by Armand Petitjean.  Petitjean had worked for Coty before launching his own company, and he studied Francois Coty’s business methods and admired them and fully intended to be a cosmetics giant one day. 

Lancome’s name is inspired by a French chateau of a similar name. The Universal Exhibit at Brussels World’s Fair is where they chose to introduce their fragrances to the world. The names of the five introduced are not ones that we even remember today – Tendre Nuit, Bocages, Conquete, Kypre and Tropiques.  They also sold cosmetics and skin care, eventually adding a men’s division for skin care and fragrances.  L’Oreal bought Lancome in 1964.

Some of the classic perfumes that Lancome is known the best for includes Climat (1967), Magie Noire (1978) and Tresor (1990).  Currently there are over 70 in-production perfumes for this old house.  O de Lancome, created in 1969, is still in the top 20 best-selling perfumes in France for 2011.

Lancome has worked with some of the best perfumers in the world to create their fragrances –Christine Nagel, Annick Menardo, Calice Becker, Thierry Wasser, Maurice Roucel, Olivier Polge, Dominque Ropion, Anne Flipo, Olivier Cresp, Alberto Morillas, Francis Kurkdjian, Nathalie Lorson and Sophia Grojsman.

Lancome Tresor is one of the perfumes that have stood the test of time, remaining a perennial best-seller for Lancome. Created by Sophia Grojsman, it has notes of apricot, rose, lilac, iris, peach, amber, sandalwood, musk, and vanilla.  Tresor has both a classic and modern feel to it, and because it can fit so many women, it remains wildly popular.  Luca Turin called it a “vulgar-but-wily combination.”

Lancome is an old and venerable perfume company, with a rich history. And Petitjean would be amazed at what his company has become.