When you visit your local department store, there are certain brands that you are bound to see. One such a brand is Lancome, a luxurious French cosmetics company. Lancome focuses on delivering women a pampering experience in all three area of cosmetics. That is, skin care, makeup, and fragrance.

Everything about the company screams French luxury, from the delicate and distinct fragrances all the way to the stunning packaging. The company’s rose symbol stems from the founder’s (Armand Petitjean) obsession with roses as the ultimate symbol of French beauty and femininity. Roses also played a huge role in his inspiration.

History And Background Of Lancome

Armand Petitjean, founder of Lancome.

Armand Petitjean founded the House of Lancome in 1935. He was a hopelessly proud Frenchman, who wanted to show off French elegance to the world in every aspect of beauty. The inspiration for the name ‘LANCÔME’ came from the rose-strewn ruins of La Chatuea De Lancosme, an abandoned estate in the heart of France.

Petitjean’s initial Lancome products were high end perfumes, and they were a success. The first 5 won prestigious prizes at the 1935 Universal Exhibition in Brussels. Besides for the fragrance, famous painter Georges Delhomme designed unique and artistic bottles for them. While most cosmetic companies were distributing their products in cheap or disposable packaging, the original Lancome containers were works of art. They have since become collectors items.

By the end of 1935, Lancome had established 2 boutiques in Paris to sell their perfumes. But that wasn’t enough; Arman wanted to follow his dreams and expand into other areas of beauty. In 1936 he released the nourishing La Nutrix, and the Lancome skincare line was born.

He continued to expand into the makeup realm with his signature rose lipstick. Soon, he had a full selection of the highest quality and most luxurious products available. In 1964, Lancome was acquired by L’Oreal, and quickly became their flagship luxury line. Today, Lancome is sold all over the world in over 160 countries, both in Lancome boutiques and  in many upscale department stores.

Lancome Products Overview

Lancome is still famous for its perfumes, although their mascaras and moisturizers have earned them much recognition as well. They produce everything you need for a luxurious look, all the way from creamy foundations to high-end accessories. While in past years they were most known for their skin care, in recent years their makeup has been making quite a name for itself with their beautiful shades and perfect textures.

Take a Look at Lancome’s Collection

You’ll find eye shadows, scrubs, liners, concealers, and anything else you would expect from a cosmetic manufacturer. They are definitely pricey, and while some products are unrivaled and worth the hefty price tag, you can often find products from their parent company L’Oreal which are more affordable and often just as good, especially when it comes to skincare.

Lancome Eye Cream Review

There are 6 or 7 different Lancome eye creams available. Quite frankly, all of them are overpriced and under-deliver. They mostly contain the same base of dated ingredients, each featuring a unique “revolutionary” ingredient that gives it some unique properties. In truth, many of these ingredients are not revolutionary at all. They also often do a worse job than the standard ingredients offered by their competitors.

The creams do deliver several hours of great looking results, but that is more due to the synthetic ingredients designed to produce a temporary healthy appearance rather than actually nourishing the skin. If you must have a Lancome eye cream, I guess you could go with the Visionnaire Yeux Eye Cream Advanced Multi-Correcting Eye Balm. This cream works well for hydrating and blurring wrinkles on many skin types.

However, there is nothing particularly “advanced” about this formula. Many eye creams do the same thing for half the price. Also, the fragrances it contains may aggravate your skin, if you’re sensitive. Unfortunately, Lancome has fallen way behind its competitors when it comes to skincare. They rely heavily on their marketing team to keep up the reputation of cutting edge formulas, but they just aren’t what they once were in that department.

Check it Out: Visionnaire Yeux Eye Cream Advanced Multi-Correcting Eye Balm

Lancome Eye Shadow Review

Lancome has definitely gotten the texture of eye shadow down. All of their eye shadows apply effortlessly and smoothly, which isn’t something to take for granted. Their Color Design Eye Brightening All-in-One 5 Shadow & Liner Palette is a powder shadow palette. It contains 4 eye shadows and 1 powder line. They go on evenly wet or dry, and offer some nice contrasts and color pops. They are very shiny though, and the shiniest shades have visible glitter that tends to flake. But if you love shimmer, you will adore this palette.

Lancome’s Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Smooth Hold is a collection of individual powder eye shadows. The shadows apply smoothly and feel almost silky. The shades are conveniently divided by finish (matte, sheen, shimmer, metallic, lustrous, and intense). Obviously, the matte has no shine at all, while each finish gets progressively shinier. The matte selection is limited, but anyone searching for a nice shine will find some beautiful colors in this collection.

Get it On Amazon: Lancome Color Design Eye Brightening All-in-One 5 Shadow and Liner Palette 

Lancome Hypnose Mascara Review

There are several variations of the Lancome Hypnose Mascara. The three major ones are the volumizing mascara, waterproof mascara, and the lengthening mascara. All in all they do their job quite well; they apply evenly, last all day, and separate the lashes into an elegant look. They may be a little clumpy initially, although it’s nothing a proper lash comb can’t fix.

These are actually quite solid mascaras, and even though they are pricey, they’re worth it. They don’t dry out in the tube so fast, so they will last you longer and you’ll actually be able to use pretty much the entire tube before it dries out.

Learn More: Lancome Hypnose Mascara

Lancome Teint Miracle Review

Teint Idole foundation is oil free and gives medium-to-full coverage with a matte velvety finish! @mack-lc https://t.co/EMORyB6Ls2 pic.twitter.com/lq7TdoDMIs

— Lancôme USA (@LancomeUSA) May 3, 2018

This is a liquid foundation that is quite silky and easy to blend. It dries to a finish that feels matte, but give the slightest glow that looks like it’s coming naturally from the skin. Of all the foundations I own, this one is my favorite, though quite expensive. What I love is that it matches my skin tone perfectly, and gives it a natural but full coverage. It also has the most delicious fragrance! (People have actually commented that I smell nice when I wear it. It’s almost like foundation and perfume in one!)

There are some exceptional shades available, and it is best suited for normal skin, maybe a little dry or a little oily as well. While it does produce stellar aesthetic results, the third ingredient listed is alcohol, which means that there is no way that this product can actually hydrate your skin the way it advertises. If you have skin that is especially prone to drying, this may not be the formula for you. Personally, my skin is normal, with a tendency to dry out. Most drug store foundations do dry my skin out, and leave it flaky and peeling (or full of pimples, which is worse!). However, I’ve only had great results with this foundation.

Still, it might be drying if I would use it very often. This may be the perfect product to use once in awhile for a special date or occasion (which is how I use it), but because of the alcohol content I personally would not use this as my daily foundation. Perhaps you could use it if you have a top of the line moisturizer as well, but keep a close eye on your skin is doing under the foundation. Get yours here.

Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate Review

This is a liquid based serum that “reactivates the ten signs of youth”. After using, it makes the skin very smooth and silky to the touch. The two best things about this serum is that it contains vitamin C, and skin-repairing sodium hyaluronate.

The disappointing part is that many other cheaper serums and moisturizers contain these ingredients, and they are not quite as revolutionary as the $78 price tag demands. On top of that, the high alcohol content, which you can actually smell, actually promotes aging. The fragrances in the product can also cause free radical damage and irritation.

The reason so many people like this serum is because it does give a wonderful smooth feeling after applying. If you use it every day you will think that your skin is improving, but chances are you are simply feeling the product on your skin, rather than actual healthy skin. It could be used for a night out or special date, but shouldn’t replace a good nutrient-rich skin serum.

Learn More: Lancome Advanced Genifique Youth Activating Concentrate

Lancome Tonique Confort Review

This is a comforting and rehydrating toner for normal to dry skin. I have not tried it yet, but it seems to work fine and the vitamin E and and honey are probably what help it soothe the skin the most.

I am a little wary that although this moisturizer is targeted for people with sensitive and dehydrated skin, the first few ingredients are chemicals that are known to often be irritating.

Closer inspection shows it contains fragrance as well. I know that Lancome is not supposed to be a natural brand, but since they are high end, you would think they would use higher quality and more sensitive ingredients. At least in their toner specifically for dry skin! All that aside, people do seem to be having decent results from the Tonique Confort, so I would recommend getting a free sample of it from the checkout counter or online and seeing how your skin reacts. You might be one of those who fall in love with it – and you won’t be alone!

I Want It: Lancome Tonique Confort

Lancome Bi-Facil Review

This is a water- and silicone-based eye makeup remover. Overall, it works well and does what it says. It even does a good job of removing waterproof mascara. You may find a bit of a residue that you need to wipe off, and if you’re using a washcloth it can stain it pink, so don’t use your favorite one. It does have fragrance though, so keep that in mind.

I don’t entirely understand why a makeup remover needs to have fragrance. But then again, it wouldn’t be a high-end product if there wasn’t some fragrance in there. And for those of us whose skin can handle it, it makes using the product that much more of a pleasure. If you’re not sure this is for you, you can always get a free sample at the checkout counter to try it before making the investment.

Shop Now: Lancome Bi-Facil

Is Lancome Cruelty Free?

Is Lancome Cruelty Free?

Lancome is unfortunately not a cruelty free company. They have not tested final products or even ingredients on animals for years now. However, they do sell in China, which requires all foreign cosmetic companies to test their products on animals before approving the product for the Chinese market. As long as they sell in China, they cannot be considered cruelty free.

Still, they do support organizations that are working towards chemical test alternatives that will be recognized universally, and hopefully the coming years will see a change in the universal policy regarding animal testing.

Conclusion

So is Lancome worth the hefty price tag, or isn’t it? Well, it really depends on what you’re looking for. While their skincare, which they were once so famous for, may not be up to par, they do have many products that they’ve done right. Their fragrances are divine, their makeup in general is wonderful, their mascara is great, and their eye shadows are really something special.

So if skincare is what you spend on, it might be worth looking elsewhere. But if eye makeup is your thing, Lancome is definitely worth the splurge.

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