
Sunday, May 28, 2023
Thursday, April 21, 2022
Tuesday, January 4, 2022
Sunday, November 7, 2021
Le Sphere Magique
Cute ball shaped flacon, base is made up of frosted glass molded with eight stars, the words "Lancôme France" are molded into the edge of the glass. The bottle is topped by a gilded brass dome emblazoned with eight stars which hides the inner screw cap and the curved metal foil perfume label. The metal dome twists on and off. The bottle measures about 1 1/2” diameter. It holds 1/4 oz of parfum.
Hobbies, 1961:
Hobbies, 1961:
"FRENCH GLASS PURSE SCENT BOTTLE. '.2x5”. Star studded Lalique type glass. Marked on bottom. Lancome, France. $5.50."
La Goutte d'Eau - Teardrop Flacon c1952
In 1952, Lancôme introduced a special perfume bottle called "la Goutte d'Eau", the teardrop, to hold 1/5 oz extraits of Magie and Trésor. It was designed by Georges Delhomme and most likely made by Verreries de Bresle who manufactured most of Lancôme's flacons.
The bottle is made up of polished clear crystal and has a brass screw cap fitted with a loop with a silk ribbon attached, which can be removed so that the bottle could be suspended from a necklace, pin or chatelaine. The bottle measures 3 3/4″ in length x 1 5/8″ wide. The brass screw cap will be engraved with "Lancôme" and either "Magie", "Peu Etre" or "Trésor".
The bottle is made up of polished clear crystal and has a brass screw cap fitted with a loop with a silk ribbon attached, which can be removed so that the bottle could be suspended from a necklace, pin or chatelaine. The bottle measures 3 3/4″ in length x 1 5/8″ wide. The brass screw cap will be engraved with "Lancôme" and either "Magie", "Peu Etre" or "Trésor".
Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Jumelles Perfume Presentation c1952
In 1952, Lancome released its "Jumelles" presentation as a limited edition perfume. The presentation set was designed by Georges Delhomme. The set included a pair of frosted, fluted glass bottles that interlock to form an X shape for a unique display. Each bottle measures 4" long x 1" diameter and are fitted with gilded brass screw caps and gilded foil paper labels.
The pair of bottles are held together with a pink satin ribbon tied around their necks. The presentation is housed in an oval paperboard gift box decorated with an Asian flair. The set could be found with Lancome's popular scents at the time: Magie, Tropiques or Tresor.
Monday, November 25, 2019
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Collection Rouge Now or Never c1998
Collection Rouge Now or Never by Lancome: launched in 1998 as a limited edition fragrance for the fall season and to coincide with Lancome's "Life in Red" collection of cosmetics. Created by perfumer Christian Mathieu and makeup artist Fred Farrugia.
Monday, December 19, 2016
Balafre by Lancome c1967
Balafre by Lancôme, launched in 1967, carries a name that immediately evokes intrigue and strength. The word "Balafre" is French, pronounced "bah-lah-fruh", and translates to "scar". Lancôme promotional materials of the period translated it into "dueling scar" from the romantic age. It’s a bold, visceral choice — one that conjures images of a rugged, battle-worn hero, marked but not defeated. The word suggests resilience, masculinity, and an undeniable allure — a man who carries his scars not as wounds, but as badges of experience and character.
The late 1960s was a time of immense cultural upheaval and reinvention. The era, often called the Swinging Sixties, was defined by a break from traditional values, fueled by youth-driven counterculture movements, political protests, and a blossoming of sexual liberation. Men’s fashion underwent a radical shift: slim-cut suits and conservative attire gave way to bold patterns, turtlenecks, leather jackets, and mod influences. The masculine ideal was evolving too — no longer strictly the clean-cut gentleman, but now including edgier, more rebellious archetypes, from Steve McQueen’s rugged cool to the brooding charm of French icons like Jean-Paul Belmondo and Alain Delon.
It’s within this dynamic, changing landscape that Balafre emerges. The name alone would have resonated with men looking to define themselves outside the polished, predictable mold. To wear a fragrance called "Balafre" was to embrace the idea of masculinity touched by life’s struggles — a man who was unapologetically virile, even dangerous, yet undeniably sophisticated. Women, too, might have found the concept alluring, drawn to the romantic notion of a man with a past, a story to tell.
Wednesday, March 16, 2016
Sunday, December 27, 2015
Qui Sait? by Lancome c1946
Qui Sait? by Lancome: launched in 1937. Created by Armand Petitjean.
Peut-Être ("Perhaps" in French) became Qui Sait ("Who Knows" in French) in 1956, however I have found publications dating to as early as 1946 using the name Qui Sait (US Patent Office info). The reason for the name change is that it would be easier for Americans to pronounce.
The name Qui Sait was used previously by another French perfumer, Lournay in 1925.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
The Golden Ribbon Package Perfume c1947
Labels:
1940s,
1947,
bocages,
bottle,
conquete,
cuir,
flacon,
fleches,
Gold Ribbon Package,
lancome,
limited edition,
parfum,
perfume,
perfume presentation,
peut etre,
purse perfume,
qui sait,
tropiques,
vintage perfume
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Révolte by Lancome c1936
Révolte by Lancome: launched in 1936. The name means "Uprising" in French, and was originally a perfume for men, but soon, women were taken to wearing it. Reportedly, the name was unpopular in South and Central America as it translated to "anarchy" and "revolution".
It's name was changed to Leather in 1939 as the name Revolt was being used by another company in South America. The perfume was slightly improved, created by Armand Petitjean.
The fragrance was also rebottled into a new bottle.
Saturday, August 1, 2015
Tresor by Lancome c1952
The name Trésor, chosen by Lancôme for their 1952 fragrance, is a word of French origin, pronounced tray-ZOR. It translates to "treasure" in English — a word that evokes images of rare, precious, and deeply cherished things. The very sound of the word carries a sense of elegance and mystery, conjuring visions of ornate, gilded jewelry boxes, sunken riches from distant seas, and priceless heirlooms passed down through generations. Emotionally, Trésor stirs feelings of longing, devotion, and the desire to hold something rare and beautiful close to the heart — the very essence of what a beloved fragrance represents.
The early 1950s were a time of transformation and renewal. In the wake of World War II, society was beginning to embrace a new sense of optimism and femininity. This period is often referred to as the post-war era or the New Look era, heavily influenced by Christian Dior’s groundbreaking 1947 collection that redefined women’s fashion. Dior’s "New Look" featured nipped-in waists, full skirts, and an emphasis on an ultra-feminine silhouette — a striking departure from the utilitarian styles of the wartime years. Women were encouraged to revel in their femininity again, embracing beauty, luxury, and grace.
It was within this cultural backdrop that Trésor emerged, embodying the era's longing for sophistication and sensuality. Perfumes of the time often leaned toward bold, rich compositions that exuded glamour, echoing the opulence seen in fashion and the growing accessibility of luxury goods. While floral fragrances were abundant, semi-oriental blends like Trésor, which combined florals with warmer, more sensual notes like amber and woods, were less common — making it both trend-aware and uniquely memorable. It offered women something that felt precious, sophisticated, and timelessly elegant, aligning with the desire to reclaim beauty and luxury after years of hardship.
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