Howdy, Posse folks! We’re headed into the mainstream today as well as the wayback machine, via the Lancome perfume counter at Dillard’s. On a recent visit , I tried a little spritz of their new Idole scent. They call it “an unapologetically modern, fresh fragrance with notes of bright citrus, clean rose, spotless jasmine, white musks and vanilla. At the core of this fragrance stands the most noble and iconic perfume ingredient, the rose. With four roses, Idôle’s modern, radiant, youthful rose is revealed …” Sure wish I had read this before I sampled, as I’m pretty rose-phobic. Actually, it wasn’t that bad, but it was three more roses than I care for, and they seemed to drown out the citrus, jasmine, vanilla, etc. for me.
But while I was there, after a moment of silence for the great Magie Noire, I did see two other Lancome scents that I’ve worn before and liked: Tresor and Poeme. (I know these often get a bad rap as overpowering, but they did debut in the ’90s.) I was a little afraid to try the current versions, so when I came home, I dug up my older decants.
Of the two, Poeme is probably my favorite. It has an unexpected structure and progression, and the blue Himalayan poppy and datura lily give it an unusual twist that makes it somewhat unique, at least on my skin. It winds down with a lovely warm, golden glow, beautifully in keeping with its yellow juice. To me it smells of happiness and kindness, and makes me want more than just my little vintage bit of it.
Tresor always brings to mind the beautiful, elegant Isabella Rossellini. The scent on me is big but pretty, the rose doesn’t overwhelm, and it does have a nice peachy appeal. But I noticed I’m getting some kind of ashy, smoky vibe from it, almost tobacco-like, that’s a bit jarring. It does dissipate somewhat, thankfully, and eases into a warm, honeyed aura that’s quite nice. I enjoy it overall, but wouldn’t want to give this a heavy-duty spraying. For me, it’s best worn in moderation, dabbed or with a very sparing single spray.
Have you tried the Lancome Idole? Or do you have a favorite Lancome fragrance? What are your favorite mainstream places to scent-shop?
Back in the day I wore Tresor and Poeme. They were/are lovely but my tastes changed and I gave away my bottles. I do love Cuir de Lancome and enjoy wearing it in cool weather.
I have fallen in love with some of the Maison Lancôme Grand Crus line…..Jasmins Marzipane, Iris Dragées, Parfait de Rôses and definitely would purchase some others I have sampled (Figues & Agrumes, Oranges Bigarades and Santal Kardamon)
I think the only one I ever tested was Cuir, and it’s very good. Might go dig out that sample and dab some on. The other ones came along at a time in my life when I was already satisfied with what I was wearing and didn’t care to sample others.
I still love and wear O de Lancôme.
I tried Idole last week, typical sweet fresh floral, not horrid (like YSL Libre), but nothing I would wear. The only Lancomes I ever wore were Tresor and Rouge Now or Never. I do like their fancy Grand Cru line now and own several of those: Lavandes Trianon, Jasmins Marzipane, Roses Berberanza, etc.
Those were the ones I was thinking of Tara C, that March and I sampled at N-M (she went bonkers over the……Jasmins M? or maybe another – certainly NOT the rose 😉
I remember Tresor from wayback, mostly because of the bottle. The only current Lancôme I wear is the Cuir – and it’s for Right About Now, with the weather dipping into the 60s. That apricot leather is perfect for this time of year!
xoxoxo
I do this by heart as I am to lazy to look for its source: Luca Turin or Tania Sanchez famously described Tresor as young beautiful big breasted blonde wearing a pink t-shirt printed with the following: All This & Brains Too.
which i find quite legendary – otherwise how would I have remembered?
Hey there Ann,
I have an old bottle of Magie Noire rattling around here. LOVE it.
Recently, over the last couple of years, I’ve found myself wearing Tresor Midnight Rose. It’s a fizzy blackcurrant and rose affair, ultra girly in the early 2000s way and kind of terrible. It’s also utterly addictive and after going through 3 x 5ml decants I splurged and bought a bottle. It has decidedly rung my bell.
Portia xx
I do like Tresor.
Funny timing, I was just going through a fragrance “gift with purchase” from my Sephora mineral sunblock order. A very generous perfume sample gift which includes Lancome Idole. Idole is a very sweet rose and reminds me of Lancome Miracle which I wore maybe 20 years ago when released, so my memory may not be super accurate. Idole is pretty, but it doesn’t smell like anything new or special to my nose.
Tresor has been my long-time favorite Lancome, and I can’t remember Poeme but I wore and loved it in the past as well. I have a vintage bottle of Magie Noire and recently acquired Climat. Before I fell down the perfume rabbit hole, I shopped department stores for perfumes, mainly Nordstroms and Dilliards and would purchase every Lancome release. I’ll still occasionally stop by Nordstroms now that they have the generous sample policy, but their offerings are limited compared to world of online fragrance shopping.