Cyclades

The Verdict

Lancome Cyclades arrived in 2008 as the third installment in the brand's Voyage collection, following Benghal and Tropiques. Inspired by the white-washed villages and azure waters of the Greek Cyclades islands, it promised to bottle the essence of a Mediterranean holiday. For many reviewers, the opening delivers exactly that promise, a burst of sparkling neroli and bergamot that genuinely transports you to sun-drenched Aegean shores.

The problem is that this beautiful illusion is fleeting. Blog reviewer Bois de Jasmin and multiple Fragrantica commenters note that the gorgeous opening does not last more than fifteen to thirty minutes, after which the fragrance becomes very subtle and discreet. What remains is a pleasant jasmine-musk skin scent that, while inoffensive, lacks the personality of that stunning introduction.

What It Smells Like

The opening of Cyclades is its crowning glory. Neroli and bergamot burst forth with a sparkling, sun-kissed brightness that immediately conjures images of sailing the Aegean Sea. One Fragrantica reviewer described it beautifully as smelling like scented breezes, soft caressing zephyrs as you get whiffs of flowers from the islands.

The heart brings jasmine and oleander into focus, creating a creamy, slightly heady floral that recalls the wildflowers growing along Greek hillsides. As the fragrance dries down, white musk and vanilla take over, producing a cozy, warm finish that some describe as reminiscent of baby powder but warmer and more vanilla-like. The overall effect after an hour is a soft, comforting skin scent.

When to Wear It

Cyclades is unambiguously a summer fragrance. It was designed for beach days, sailing trips, sundresses, and lazy afternoons by the water. Think bikinis, linen cover-ups, and sandy feet. It works best in warm weather when its fresh citrus opening can shine against sun-warmed skin.

This is not an evening fragrance, nor is it suited for formal occasions. Its ephemeral nature makes it a daytime pleasure, best applied right before you want to enjoy those glorious opening minutes.

Longevity & Projection

Longevity is Cyclades' primary weakness. The consensus across Fragrantica, Bois de Jasmin, and beauty bloggers is that the noteworthy part of the scent lasts only fifteen to thirty minutes. After that, you are left with a very close, subtle jasmine-musk that barely registers. The rest of the journey, as one reviewer bluntly put it, is not worth mentioning.

Sillage follows a similar pattern: moderate projection during the opening burst, then quickly retreating to a whisper against the skin. Reapplication is practically a requirement if you want to experience the scent throughout the day.

The Community Says

Community opinion divides between those who adore the concept and opening and those frustrated by its lack of staying power. Fragrantica reviewers praise the Mediterranean inspiration, calling it a beautiful summer scent, while critics describe it as pleasant but unremarkable and another safe perfume from Lancome. Blog reviewers at Bois de Jasmin and Now Smell This offered measured praise, appreciating the composition while noting its limitations. The fragrance was discontinued, which some see as a loss but others find unsurprising given its modest impact.

Who Should Buy This

Cyclades is perfect for the woman who values a beautiful moment over all-day performance, someone who wants to feel like she is on a Greek island, even if only for the first thirty minutes. If you love the pairing of neroli and jasmine and accept that some fragrances are about the experience of application rather than endurance, Cyclades will reward you.

Those who measure a fragrance primarily by its staying power should look elsewhere. Cyclades whispers where many modern fragrances shout, and for some, that whisper is simply too quiet.

The Bottom Line

Lancome Cyclades is a lovely postcard from the Aegean that captures the warmth, breeze, and floral beauty of the Greek islands in its opening minutes. It is a genuinely transporting scent let down by longevity that simply cannot sustain the illusion. As a discontinued entry in Lancome's Voyage collection, it remains a poignant example of a fragrance that delivered beauty without endurance.