Lancôme – Magnifique: Overview, Smell, Notes & More!
Lancôme, a subsidiary of French personal care company, L’Oréal, produces luxury perfumes that eclipse their consumers’ expectations (Lancôme La Nuit Trésor, Lancôme La Vie Est Belle, etc.).
Sometimes, however, their fragrances arouse different emotions in their target audience—case in point—Lancôme Magnifique.
If you like floral, spicy fragrances, the chances are high that you’ll come to like it.
If, however, you’re looking for an easy blind buy, this is one you should know about before making the purchase.
Overview
- Brand: Lancôme
- Fragrance: Magnifique
- Release: 2008
- Gender: Women
- Perfumer: Olivier Cresp and Jacques Cavallier
Fragrance Notes
- Top Notes: Saffron
- Heart Notes: Jasmine, Caraway, Rose
- Base Notes: Nagarmotha (Cypriol Oil), Sandalwood, Vetiver
What Does Lancôme Magnifique Smell Like?
The opening of this is saffron-heavy.
It starts with a dose of the intimate, earthy spice complemented by a light powderiness in the background.
This opening is warm because of the spiciness, but the warmth still comes across as shallow.
This is addressed when the caraway comes into play in the middle as it adds a light, spicy element that was missed at the top.
The transition between the opening and the heart is one that’s caused a stir over the years.
As the florals become more and more magnified, many are put off by a synthetic feel that emerges through the scent.
Most fragrances today use synthetic alternatives in place of the natural products, and while some are not bothered by this, others feel like the florals smell a bit too artificial.
This is something more subjective than it is a standard feature.
That said, the heart of this perfume is the most admired stage.
The feminine rose shines in its sweet, powdery glory while the white flower makes slight, but needed, cameos throughout.
This transitions into a soft, woody base (sandalwood, vetiver) that features remnants of the florals.
The cypriol oil adds a nice earthy element at this stage, but you can also smell it during previous stages of the scent.
This all culminates into a woody, floral musk fragrance that smells perfect for the cold.
How Long Does Lancôme Magnifique Last For?
It’s an eau de parfum with a lasting power of about eight hours.
This could be longer if your skin chemistry responds well to it.
Projection is also great and you’ll be sure to enjoy it for a good period before it dries down.
This is generally about three hours or more.
The sillage here is excellent as it’s as strong as you want it to be, but not so much that it’s overpowering.
This also means that you will surely scoop up a few compliments from the trail you leave behind.
When Should You Wear It?
It’s not fresh or lively so summer would be the least favorable season for it.
It can work well in spring provided you know how to handpick occasions that suit it best.
It’s perfect for both daytime and evening use.
Where Should You Wear It?
Magnifique is a versatile feminine fragrance.
It can easily become your everyday signature scent.
It’s a nice scent for an official environment, but your workspace needs to be spatial to accommodate the strong sillage and sweetness.
So, if you know you have a meeting with the board in the morning, something more subtle will work better.
Leisure activities and nights out on the town are all occasions that suit it well.
This is because it doesn’t smell too playful or too serious—it’s a nice balance.
Presentation and Value For Money
When Magnifique was released in 2008, Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning actress, Anne Hathaway, was the brand ambassador of Lancôme fragrances.
She featured in the advertising campaign of the perfume, playing an elegant lady in a black dress.
It’s depicted as a sexy scent for the refined, mature woman. This is why it comes off as one for the older audience.
It was unfortunately discontinued, but a 75ml bottle can still be found for between $45 to $70 per bottle, which makes it good value for money.
The Bottom Line
Lancôme Magnifique is one of those rose scents that depends more on one’s individual taste than mass appeal.
Because of this, it’s not one of Lancôme’s pillar fragrances.
This doesn’t mean you should discount its potential, though.
If you find that it suits your fragrance desires, it’s a keeper for years to come.
Perfumes that Smell Like Lancôme Magnifique
The following fragrances are some of the closest in scent to the Lancôme bouquet.
1. Rose de Rose (Rance 1795)
Rose de Rose is a 2011 perfume by Christian Carbonnel.
As from the name, it’s a perfume with a prominent rose note.
It’s not close to being as warm and spicy, but the florals are similar.
2. Agua Fresca de Rosas (Adolfo Dominguez)
Agua Fresca de Rosas is a unique fragrance that is more of a vintage alternative (1995).
It’s a white floral perfume with a woody, mossy base.
The opening is citrusy, but the sweetness of the floral heart is similar to Magnifique.
It also has a nice musk at the base.
3. Jasmin Kâma (Rania J)
The nose behind Jasmin Kâma is Rania Jouaneh.
This 2013 floral scent has the added elements of patchouli and bergamot, but the base and the middle are reminiscent of Magnifique.
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