Poeme

Poeme, inspired by Lancôme Poême (1995)

Poême plays on contrast: Lancôme pairs the icy, transparent effect of Himalayan blue poppy with datura, a heady white trumpet flower, and with vanilla. Mimosa, with its powdery, honeyed tone, shares the heart with orange blossom and jasmine. As it settles, vanilla takes over with datura still in the background, leaving a rich, sweet trail. Critics have also pointed to a peppery, green bitterness that cuts through the sugar.

About the original

Jacques Cavallier composed Poême for Lancôme in 1995, building it around the blue poppy set against datura flower. It has always divided opinion, and the critic Victoria Frolova noted its considerable intensity. Lancôme still sells it in France, though it is no longer offered on the brand's US site. Long-time customers say the current formula smells different from earlier bottles.

Our version

Ours is an independent eau de parfum made to evoke the same character. It is not Lancôme stock, not an official relaunch and not the original formula.

Who it suits

Strength is the first thing to know: this is a full, sweet floral rather than a light one. Women who like nineties florals with presence tend to suit it, while vanilla and datura together can feel cloying in a warm room.

Related scents

• Lancome Tresor
• Yves Saint Laurent Manifesto L'Elixir

Notes of the original fragrance, as published by the brand.

Top notes: Himalayan Blue Poppy, Datura

Heart notes: Orange Blossom, Mimosa, Jasmine

Base notes: Vanilla, Datura

It opens on the cool, slightly watery blue poppy effect against heady datura.

Mimosa, orange blossom and jasmine then form a thick floral heart, honeyed and powdery.

Vanilla dominates the drydown, with datura lingering underneath.

Is Lancôme Poême still made?

Yes, Lancôme still sells it in France, though it is no longer offered on its US site. Customers who have worn it for years report that the current formula differs from older bottles.

Is Poême very sweet?

Yes, it is a sweet floral on a vanilla base, though a green, faintly bitter thread keeps it from being pure sugar.

What is datura?

A trumpet-shaped white flower with a heady, narcotic scent. Lancôme pairs it with blue poppy to create Poême's contrast of cool and heady.

Inside the EU, delivery is free on orders of €49 or more. Below that it is a flat €4.99. Outside the EU, delivery is a flat €4.99 on every order. We send every order in 1 to 2 working days. It arrives in 3 to 7 days across the EU and in 7 to 14 days outside the EU. You have 14 days to return an unopened bottle.

Lancome and Poeme are trademarks of their respective owners, and all rights remain with them. Parfumour is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or connected to Lancome in any way, and no business relationship of any kind is implied. Our product is an original interpretation created to evoke a similar scent profile, and the trademark names are used purely for honest, descriptive comparison, so that you can quickly identify the style and fragrance family you are looking for. We make no claim to sell the original product, and we do not use the same ingredients or formula. Any similarity lies in the overall impression of the scent as interpreted by our own perfumers, not in the source materials.