Lancome has released a ton of fragrances for women over the decades. It is one of the most famous beauty brands in the world and has a long track record of creating great smelling and performing perfumes. This French design house is still going strong into the 21st century and features so many timeless classic in its catalog.
For this list, I have what I feel are the eleven best perfumes from Lancome. These include fragrances for ladies with all different styles and for general wear or something more specific.
What are the Best Lancome Fragrances for Women?
Best Selling Lancome Scent
Lancome La Vie Est Belle L’Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Ounce– A gourmand type of fragrance mixing notes of praline, black currant, and other floral notes. Rich, complex, and good for the winter months.
This is the most popular scent of the lineup and one of the most popular fragrances for women currently. It’s sweet and upbeat, not a super serious or too ‘old lady’ like.
La Vie Est Belle is led by that aforementioned sweet praline note and creamy vanilla. The black currant note is sharp and a bit sour, but it doesn’t overwhelm the composition.
This Lancome perfume is pretty sugary but is bolstered by a solid patchouli note, to give it some earthy spice. The patchouli is pretty dominant in the middle, while the latter stages, it’s more about vanilla and praline.
It is easy to wear and a top notch performer, with awesome sillage, and a pleasing aroma. It can go 8+ hours, on the skin. La Vie Est Belle Review
Rose and Amber
Peut-Etre by Lancome- Peut-Être is one of the brand’s more expensive offerings, is pretty simplistic, but oh so good. Here’s how Lancome describes it: “An ode to seduction, Peut-Être eau de parfum is a fresh yet fiery composition, both sensual and slightly provocative scent”
Rose, musk, and benzoin. Yes, it’s the usual Lancome rose in the mix, but the real star here is the benzoin note that creates an amber-like aroma. The musk seems to come out more in the beginning, but then the benzoin is more prevalent in the base.
The musk and amber when paired with the rose can give it a slight powdery/make up bag sort of aroma. The performance here is great. Solid sillage and will last for a long time.
Peut-Être isn’t much of a summer scent, but isn’t so heavy that it can’t venture out of the wintertime either.
Idole Pick
Idole L’Intense- This flanker to the original Idole release, L’Intense is a bit better in my mind. I like Idole too, though L’Intense ranks slightly ahead of it.
This one is going to give you a clean, sweet, floral woody mix. The jasmine, rose, and musk notes combine to give L’Intense that familiar soapy sort of vibe. But, the cedar comes in to further freshen it up and you also get a nice dose of Bourbon vanilla.
The top seems to have some of the citrus aroma of the original, just without the pear note. Also, sweeter overall. Rose is more dominant than the jasmine for much of the wear, even if jasmine also has it periods of shine.
Idole L’Intense isn’t groundbreaking. Just a very pretty and easy to wear perfume that delivers on performance.
The Other Idole
Idole Nectar– This is my second favorite of the Idole releases. Though, not far behind Intense, it is better than Aura. Nectar starts off with a fruity sweetness and some greenish type of notes.
It might be unlisted notes, giving it this aroma. But, others in the series had pear and bergamot, so perhaps some of that is here.
What is different here is the caramel popcorn accord. That fruitiness is gone, but the caramel popcorn and vanilla serve as a base, on which sits a beautiful rose. Sort of buttery with the popcorn, but not salty.
The dry down is more about various rose notes, warmth, and the vanilla. Very likeable release from Lancome. Idole Nectar Review
Vanilla Gourmand Rose
Lancome La Nuit Tresor A La Folie By Lancome for Women – 2.5 Oz Edp Spray, 2.5 Oz– This is a recent flanker fragrance of La Nuit Tresor, but has quickly installed itself as one of the top offerings of Lancome. Though, it still flies under the radar.
It’s a sweet and soft rose based fragrance, that is wrapped up in a Bourbon vanilla note, and infused with patchouli essence.
It kicks off with pear, currant and bergamot coming through, but there is also a spiciness which makes A La Folie an interesting choice.
The opening is more of a berry/jam kind of sweetness, with the spicy kick. Then, it really develops into the total gourmand package of rose and vanilla.
Top Floral Perfume
Poeme by Lancome Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, Poeme, 3.4 Ounce– Poeme is a perfume for lovers of floral notes, so, if that’s not your thing look elsewhere. Right out of the gate, Poeme comes off strong and bold.
However, while it is quite floral, it doesn’t strike as a really ‘green’ bouquet because it is all tied together by the vanilla note and the inclusion of tangerine and plum.
The floral notes do indeed dominate, blend well together, but there is enough fruitiness in Poeme to keep it interesting. Peach really seems to survive for pretty much the entire run.
Lots of tuberose and mimosa fill up this scent, but when all the notes come together you have a clean, somewhat soapy, and sweet fragrance that can go all day. Add to that, at times rose, ylang-ylang, and other floral ingredients will make an appearance.
The Original Tresor
TRESOR by Lancome EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 3.4 Fluid OZ for WOMEN– Sweet, creamy, and powdery fragrance that has been a massive hit since its release almost three decades ago.
Notes include: peach, apricot, vanilla, tonka bean, rose, and sandalwood. A long lasting composition which develops and changes its colors as the day goes by.
It does have the peach and apricot combo which prevents it from going too floral, but with notes such as: iris, rose, and heliotrope; it of course will head more toward the flowery end of the spectrum.
It is powdery but also has an amber-laden warmth about it, and an effervescent quality, particularly near the start. Sweet but unique and can be quite alluring.
Tresor is very balanced and well blended between its notes. It hits so many styles, but is distinct, and not at all an overwhelming perfume experience.
Top Lancome for Winter
Hypnose by Lancome Edp Spray 2.5 Oz– Jasmine, passionflower, and vanilla make up the notes of Hypnose. A light to moderate floral/woodsy profile which is complemented by the sweetness of vanilla.
Not overbearing and wholly feminine. This is quite a simple perfume in many ways, but one that is soft and sweet (but not too sweet)with a nice dose of passionflower.
As it moves forward, gardenia and vetiver, also let themselves be known. They sit underneath the vanilla, but it comes across as both cold and creamy, with a definite freshness. A great choice for women who want a vanilla based floral fragrance.
Most Underrated Perfume
Tresor Midnight Rose Edp Spray 2.5 Oz– Midnight Rose is a sweeter and sharper take on the Tresor name. Raspberries and rose are the highlights of this sweet/sugary fragrance. It doesn’t require very much to stand out.
Beyond the fruity raspberry, creamy vanilla, and familiar rose note; there is also a spiced warmth of pink pepper and musk underlying the whole thing. Not a heavy scent, but one that has a solid longevity.
Midnight Rose is a very pretty yet pretty simple fragrance. The pink pepper note seems to be the glue holding this perfume together, while you get the vanilla/rose combo, and the somewhat tart aroma of the berries.
Very attractive fragrance, that has good versatility, that can venture into evening wear.
Top Classic Scent for Her
Lancome Magie Noire Eau De Toilette Spray 75ml/2.5oz– Something a bit darker and sexier than other entries on the list. It’s got a woods/green vibe with an underlying spiciness from the incense and musk notes.
This is a really heavy and more of a mature scent. Magie Noire is one that dates back to the late 1970s and as such, has been reformulated multiple times. It’s not for everyone, but it can still pack a punch.
Magie Noire is built for the colder weather. You get muskiness, warmth, with sweet/spicy blends. It has an intense dryness with smoky highlights, as oak moss is an ingredient, which really comes through later on.
Great Summertime Pick
Lancome Miracle for Women Eau de Parfum, 3.4 Ounce– A fresh and moderate perfume that is great for daytime wear and can also venture into the evening. It features bright fruity notes with smooth floral and a pepper note to provide that extra tinge of spice.
Miracle is a safe choice and one that can fit in well in a variety of situations.
The light ginger note is awesome, with a nice magnolia flower, and litchi sweetness. Miracle is fresh and appealing. This has been one of the more popular fragrances by Lancome for a couple decades now, and shows no signs of quitting.
Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.