Lancôme

Leading luxury beauty brand Lancome started with one man, Armand Petitjean, and grew to over a thousand boutiques around France, in collaboration with knowledgeable ambassadresses.

Lancôme was founded in 1935 by Guillaume d’Ornano- and his fifty-year-old partner- visionary perfumer Armand Petitjean. Petitjean wanted to create a beauty brand that encapsulated French elegance with the vision to make women happier by making them beautiful. The name “Lancôme”, chosen by Guillaume’s wife Elisabeth, was inspired by Lancosme forest in Indre valley, France and the roses in this beautiful region inspired the company’s logo of the single golden rose.

Following the debut of its first fragrances in 1935 — Tendre Nuit, Bocages, Conquete, Kypre and Tropique — Lancôme entered the luxury skincare market the following year with all-purpose repair cream Nutrix and then a line of make-up, cosmetics and skincare. Years later, when Petitjean was asked why he created Lancôme, he quipped, “Because I had seen that two American brands had taken control of the beauty industry. A French brand should be up alongside them.” Lancôme was acquired by L’Oréal.

Per Vogue: "Crafted with care, decades of research and scientific expertise, each Lancôme high-performance product conveys a beautiful story. A story that encapsulates the brand’s heritage and vision. Whether it’s motivating us to be mindful of our environment, helping us embrace our femininity, or even encouraging us to channel our inner beauty, caring for a healthier, happier tomorrow encapsulates Lancôme’s sense of generosity. So much so that their brand symbol evokes the same message with a powerful scent."

Despite Petijean’s belief that Lancôme would never advertise, Lancome is now one of the top advertisers in the luxury beauty business, with its campaigns shot by leading photographers Peter Lindbergh, Mario Testino, Mario Sorrenti, Nick Knight, Steven Meisel, Brigitte Lacombe, Patrick Demarchelier and Dusan Reljin. In 2012, Lancôme premiered a television commercial with Betty Boop and supermodel Daria Werbowy. The advertisement, when uploaded to YouTube, crossed 100,000 views. 

The brand is represented by actresses, supermodels, make-up artists and perfumers. Carol Alt was the youngest model to be the face of Lancôme and some of Hollywood’s icons that have been featured in its campaigns include Isabella Rosselini, Kate Winslet and Penelope Cruz. Clive Owen was the first male spokesperson for Lancôme’s men’s skincare and fragrance Hypnôse Homme and Bae Suzy is Asia Pacific Brand Ambassador and Lancome’s Global Muse. Actress Zendaya is Lancôme’s newest global brand ambassador. She joins Julia Roberts, Taylor Hill and Lupita Nyong’o.

Always in sync with evolving consumer needs Lancôme collaborated with software developer Perfect Corp. to create a mobile app that allowed customers to try on make-up and make direct purchases on the app. It was a hit! Taking it a step further post-Covid, Lancôme and YSL Beauty — both part of the portfolio of L’Oréal — launched pioneering beauty technology at Hamad International Airport, Doha in collaboration with Qatar Duty Free. Here, Lancôme ‘Shade Finder’ allows women to find the right shade of foundation with minimal contact, using a device powered by artificial intelligence.

Today- with its Caring Together for a Happier Tomorrow sustainability program- Lancôme is helping to build a happier and more sustainable future. The program developed by Lancôme aims at protecting biodiversity; empowering consumers to make sustainable consumption choices thanks to products that are refillable, rechargeable and recyclable; and providing women with access to education, mentoring, and entrepreneurship. Of late Lancôme is prioritising inclusivity by developing products for everyone and putting people who can actually speak to the experience of not fitting those outdated beauty ideals in decision-making positions.

Lancôme's mission is to empower all women to embrace and express their unique beauty, femininity, and the timeless elegance associated with French style. The luxury beauty brand is dedicated to providing high-quality products that enable women to feel confident and radiant in their own skin. By combining innovative technology with a deep understanding of beauty, Lancôme aims to make every woman feel celebrated, offering personalized solutions that cater to diverse needs and preferences.

At the heart of Lancôme's mission is the commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. The luxury brand believes that every woman, regardless of her background or circumstances, should have the opportunity to experience the grace that French beauty represents. Lancôme strives to break down barriers in the beauty industry, offering products that are designed for all skin tones, types, and ages, ensuring that every woman can achieve the elegance and femininity that the brand embodies.

Since its inception, luxury beauty brand Lancôme's vision is to make all women happier by making them more beautiful with their skin care range and providing the best cosmetics innovation in terms of quality, science and efficacy. The luxury brand is dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, combining cutting-edge science with timeless elegance. By offering personalized beauty solutions, Lancôme strives to cater to the unique needs of every individual, helping them express their true selves with sophistication and grace.

A core aspect of Lancôme's vision is sustainability. The brand is committed to reducing its environmental impact by adopting eco-friendly practices in product development, packaging, and sourcing. Lancôme prioritizes the use of sustainable materials, and its products are designed to minimize waste. Additionally, the brand actively supports various social and environmental causes, reflecting its belief in the importance of giving back to the community and protecting the planet for future generations.

Lancôme's vision extends beyond beauty products; it also emphasizes the importance of inclusivity and diversity. The brand aims to celebrate all forms of beauty by offering a wide range of products that cater to different skin tones, types, and preferences. Through its global campaigns, Lancôme promotes a message of self-love and acceptance, encouraging individuals to embrace their uniqueness and feel confident in their own skin.

Lancôme offers an extensive range of high-quality products including fragrances, skincare, and makeup. Each product is meticulously crafted to embody the luxury beauty brand's commitment to innovation and effectiveness. Lancôme's offerings are designed to cater to a wide variety of beauty needs, ensuring that every individual can find products that enhance their natural beauty.

Among Lancôme's most iconic products is the "Hypnôse" mascara, a staple in the beauty industry known for its ability to dramatically volumize and lengthen lashes. This mascara is celebrated for its smooth application and long-lasting wear. Another standout is the “Visionnaire” range, which has gained acclaim for its advanced skincare technology. Central to this range is the patented ingredient “LR 2412,” scientifically formulated to improve skin texture, reduce the appearance of pores, diminish fine lines, and even out skin tone, offering comprehensive skin care solutions.

Lancôme's product line reflects the luxury brand's dedication to luxurious, effective beauty solutions. Whether it’s the transformative power of their skincare, the artistry of their makeup, or the allure of their fragrances, Lancôme delivers products that not only meet but exceed the expectations of those who seek luxury and performance in their beauty regimen.