40 Days and 40 Nights of Beauty Brand Reviews

Day 21, Lancome

Cavewoman: I used to think that all rose fragrances would smell like the Tea Rose from Perfumer's Workshop, and even the thought of that fragrance would give me the shivers. I was convinced that I'd never even try a rose scent. All that changed one day at the Lancome counter in what used to be our local Kaufmann's store. I was chatting with my favorite Lancome SA, testing lipsticks and shadows, and she showed me a lovely teardrop-shaped bottle with blue-tinted fragrance inside, and said I had to try it. The name of the scent was 2000 Et Une Rose, and she sprayed a little card for me to try. I was stunned and captivated, how could this be a rose scent and so different from any other rose scent I had tried? I bought the bottle. I went back the following day and bought another one. It was the last one in stock. Since my first bottle of 2000 Et Une Rose, I have shared precious vials with my friends, scoured counters, checked ebay (ouch!) and found a secret supply (bought all of them) at a Lancome outlet store near here. I've used up five bottles of 2000 Et Une Rose, and was rationing out my last one when the good news arrived that Lancome was going to re-release the fragrance under a new name, Mille Et Une Rose. And of course, I've already bought it. The new Mille has been repackaged, matching the other 'vintage' scents that have recently been re-released at Lancome counters, but the juice is still the same beautiful blue. Wrist-to-wrist comparison has proven that the new formula is identical to the original.

2000/Mille Et Une Rose is an exquisite blend of several roses plus tangerine, ambrette, amber, musk and vanilla. It has a spicy, peppery quality that gives the scent a little kick, and the amber adds depth and warmth. More complex than a rose soliflore, but still allowing a starring role for the roses, Mille achieves perfection. This is without a doubt the standard by which I judge all rose scents. There is nothing else that comes close. I have come to love and appreciate other rose-based perfumes now, but Mille Et Une Rose will always be THE rose for me. I feel the need to stockpile. Will Lancome snatch this away again? I'm panicky. I'm buying another bottle.


Annieytown: The most important Lancome product in my life is my prized tube of Behnaz lipstick. It all started when Cavewoman alerted us to it's existence. She stated that the perfect red lipstick had been invented by Gucci Westman and we had to have it. She began searching the country for this lipstick. She called NYC. She called Texas. We hit every Lancome counter in Northeast Ohio.
It never made it to the counters.
Less than 200 tubes were made.
This limited edition tube garnered raves in Style.com and Allure.
There is nothing worse than knowing that the perfect red lipstick is out there but that you will never see it or own it.


I wrote this post on October 7th 2006:
Dear Lancome,
You might not be aware that your hard to find, limited edition Behnaz lipstick went for over a $100 on Ebay. It appears to be worth every penny based on these pictures from the Behnaz show.
I will never know the joy of this lipstick.
It was gone before I could get my hands on it.
I have been trying to get over this.
I have plenty of lovely red lipsticks.
But this one is haunting me.
Just look at it.
It is magnificent.
Why do you discontinue the stuff I love? Do you want to break my heart?
Do you enjoy watching me pine away for things I can not have?
I know that you are not cruel.
You brought back my holy grail fragrance 2000 et une Rose. So...I have decided to beg.
Bring back the Behnaz.
Make my perfect red lippie dream come true.

They did the next day.

Behnaz is the most magnificent red lipstick. It is a cool toned poppy red that seems to have a glow from within. It practically puts a spot light on the lips. It is a gorgeous cream formula that lasts all day with no need for touch ups.

Behnaz is the holy grail of red lippies. I realized it's power when I brought it to my local Saks. This tube was treated like a movie star. MAC's Parrot never saw this kind of fuss or excitement.

That little tube brought joy to everyone that saw it that afternoon.

It also did a star turn in the big apple. I brought the tube for Tbone's final approval.

Tbone knows her red lipsticks. It is one of her many gifts.

I was actually nervous when I got the Behnaz out for Tbone to try. I felt like a stage mother prepping the tube and discussing its talents.

We both decided to wear it that day.

Tbone proclaimed it superior to all others and gave it a few "damns", which is the highest form of rave.

If Tbone says "Damn"....then its a hit.

I lost count of her damns that day.

I hope that Lancome will one day consider bringing back the Behnaz. I know there are no plans but I can not give up hope.

They did bring back 2000 et une Rose.

What are your favorite Lancome products?

Besides Behnaz...mine are 2000 et une Rose and Rouge Now or Never. Both of these fragrances were introduced to me by dear Cavewoman.

Photos: Cavewoman and Blogdorf Goodman

Tbone is wearing Behnaz.

Disclosure: The products were purchased by the reviewers. The Behnaz lippie from Lancome was a press sample.