Lancome

Full review
I have to admit to a few vices, one in particular is not harmful to anyone except my pocketbook…I love Lancôme products. I've used a few for quite a few years now ever since I discovered a tres chic Lancome duty-free store in Paris....There are about 4 products I have found that work best for me, my complexion and for not showing all the years I've been around, on my face.

I have tried other department and drug store brands but for some reason I keep going back to Lancôme and those few products I use everyday. I'm not one of those people who keeps trying every new miracle cream or lotion that comes out on the market, except if I receive it as a freebie in one of Lancôme's special "Gift with Purchase" promotions. I have to admit I've liked a few of those too after trying them, but for the most part I use my tried and true 4 faves.

I also don't wear a lot of make-up, just the essentials, occasionally a basic foundation compact powder, a bronzer, a mascara and my favorite eyebrow pencil...once in a while, a little eye shadow and/or eye liner if I'm going out for a special occasion. For my face I use my Renergie eye cream, Renergie for the face at night and Absolut, a daytime face cream with SPF 15...funny though, of those items I've mentioned I actually only really purchase three, the rest I receive in those gift with purchases. I've also received some great anti-aging potions in those gifts which I'm still using. The Renergie face crème which I've used for years, I've never had to buy since it seems to be an item most often included in the GWP.

I used to shop in Macy's and Bloomingdales when I needed my eye cream, eyebrow pencil or bronzer whenever they offered the GWP and accumulated quite a lot of gifts, some of the items I've turned around and sold on E-bay, but lately I've been shopping at Lancôme.com online store and really enjoy the convenience of picking out what I want without the pressure of a salesperson trying to up her commission by selling me more than what I came into the store for.

One day just for the hell of it I signed up as a member when I received an e-mail from My Points stating I would get a lot of points for signing up so I did. I've been a happy shopper ever since...especially due to the fact that when I click though My Points when there is another shopping offer at Lancôme I get thousands of points. It's a win- win situation.

The site couldn't be easier to use. When you first log on you are "welcomed" and have the option of taking a "site tour". I did it once and it’s a fast easy way to learn how to find all the products you might be looking for, just a click here and a click there, the program just takes you to all the categories in which each product might be listed. From perfumes to foot creams….for men and for women.

On the home page you can sign in if you are a member or register to join should you wish to…I do recommend that you do if you use Lancôme products. It's fast and easy to do. And there are some perks for being a member, like your choice of an extra gift with purchase at check out. I certainly like that!

When you start shopping or are looking for a product, the Search Box is on the top of the page as well as all the convenient links to need to take you to wherever you want to go, on both the left side of the page or at the top ...also on the top of the page are links that explore;
What's New, Best Sellers, Color Explore, Beauty Buzz, Stores and Events.

You will find the "Shop By" box and beneath is a list of the categories,
Make up, Skin Care, Fragrance, Sun n Body, Men, Gift Sets

Then there is a box called "Color Explorer"; with small spots of shades you can look at they use in all their products. From lips to cheeks and face and of course, eye shadow shades.

Then "Quick Shop"; with this link you just scroll over a product and a small window opens with info that pops up which makes it unnecessary to go to the whole page.

Next you find "Topic";
New Products, Best Sellers, Beauty Bye Bye, (products that will soon be unavailable)
Awards, Essentials and more Discontinued items.

Then you will find your account: Order History, Wish List and Just for you. Everything you have ever purchased is on that Order History page. I've never used the Wish list or the Just for you.

Whew, and that's just the first page!

From then on it's really a fun and interesting site to navigate to have a look around, if you are into make-up and beauty routines, that is.

Whatever you might be interested in is easy to find either by the old Search Box or from any of those links you will see on every item on every page.

Just hold your curser over any of the links and a drop down box opens, just click on the item you are interested in and the page opens…for instance, Make up. I want an eyebrow pencil so when I see the word Brows, I click on it and the page opens taking me to their eye brow pencils…hit the product and the shade, Quick shop opens and you can add to cart or, if you want more information, you will be shown a box that tells you about the pencil. All the pages with their products are nicely illustrated and clear to read, simple yet direct. With the info about the product, the advantages of using it , what areas it may help and the science that found this magic cream that will make you look 10 years younger.*grin*. If its make-up, the shades are shown that it comes in and the details you might be interested in knowing.

Each item is like that, and each page is user friendly. Shopping for anything you want is really very easy…Like it? Add it to your shopping cart…if you change your mind you can always remove the item. Want information? It's there for you just a click away…the only thing I have issue with is the fact that they don't list ingredients…even for the skin care items…they tell you what it does, how it will fight wrinkles, (if its an anti-wrinkle cream) or whatever that cream or lotion is targeting, but no ingredients.

Once you have picked everything you want to buy then you go to check-out. If you are a member, all your information is on the check out page. Look over your shopping cart and if everything is the way it should be continue to the next page…Oh, and don't forget your promotion code if you have one. The next page shows what gifts you are getting if you are taking advantage of a GWP…then they add another gift and ask which you would like from the choices you have…I've always asked for the Renergie when it's offered. One time I bought an eyebrow pencil though a promotion code from My Points and because I made my purchase on a click through I received 2500 points for buying something…I also got free shipping and 8 gifts. All products I use. Unlike the GWP at the stores that always have products I never need

My Experience

I have to say I do not shop online much so my experience is a bit limited, but it's websites like Lancôme.com that make me more apt to do more online shopping in the future. I have never had a problem with anything I've purchased and the efficiency in which they handle a sale. All I need is a bit more cash! The downside is the price of their products, they don't come cheap and even the discontinued items don't seem to be on sale.

Within a short time after completing your sale a confirmation e-mail arrives. The next day a shipping notice and tracking number. My purchases have all arrived in less then a week after my purchase. All your goodies are packed in a nice white box filled with tissue paper to protect them from breaking. You can tell they take care in packing and the appearance of the package when it arrives on your doorstep.

I have noticed that, for the most part, the offer of free shipping is pretty consistent for orders of over $50 but pretty often they ship free for any price purchase and that is usually when I will buy my eyebrow pencil or a mascara if I need one, though I get so many free mascaras I hardly ever have to buy one.

All in all I really enjoy my shopping experiences at Lancôme.com. I have used their products for many years now and know what I like and the fact that there are surprises when my package arrives. The website is really consumer friendly and easy to use.

I've never had to return anything but their policy seems to be quite a good one…You must return your item to Lancome.com, not a department store. Complete the return form that is attached to the bottom of the invoice, fill in the info requested, pack the item to be returned with the form in the original package. Peel off the Return Label and put it on the return package. Returned packages must be returned prepaid, to the address on the return label.. Seems pretty simple to me. In addition they have a customer service number you can call for any inquiries you might have regarding your purchase.

Looks to me like they have covered every angle. I certainly recommend Lancome.com very highly and will continue to shop with them, when a good deal or gift comes along.


A few of my Lancome Product reviews for those interested..;)

The new High resolution deep collagen face serum
High Resolution with Collaser-48 serum
Renerge face anti-aging cream
Renerge
Absolue face cream for daytime use with SPF 15
Absolue
Renerge Eye..the best!!!
Renerge Yeux cream