Originally launched as a perfume range in Paris, in 1935, the distinctive rose symbol was apparently inspired by the flowers in the garden of the founder, Armand Petitjean. There's even a real Lancôme rose which was created in 1973. Lancôme’s range now comprises an extensive collection of skincare, colour cosmetics and fragrances distributed in over 140 countries and utilising the expertise of some 2,000 employees in its laboratories.

Having read in several magazines that the best mascara available was Lancôme’s Definicils, in black, I made my first purchase in John Lewis several years ago. It set me back about £11.00, far more than I would normally pay, but I wasn’t disappointed. This is indeed a fabulous product - the brush is fairly small and doesn’t clog, the silky mascara glides on easily, beautifully lengthening and separating my lashes, and it stays in place all day (and all night, with no telltale black smudges on my white pillowcases on those frequent occasions when I can’t be bothered to take it off before I turn in). Curiously, it is also wonderfully easy to remove, even with a face wash. It is classily presented in a silver box, with 6.5 mls of mascara in a long, slim glossy black case and carrying the distinctive rose branding in gold. Also available in brown, grey and blue, Definicils currently retails for £15.50.

I was converted, and around 12 weeks later I returned to purchase another (not because it had run out but as I was a contact lens wearer I took seriously the advice to replace mascara every 3 months). This was when I first discovered the continual promotions run by Lancôme through distributing stores. Impressed with the quality of my first experience of the range, I had already decided to try something else and was delighted to find that I would receive a free gift when buying 2 products from the range - from recollection, I think my first freebies were travel size versions of a jar of moisturiser, a tube of cleansing wash, mascara, lipstick, and perfume, along with a makeup bag. I took up the invitation to register my details with the Lancôme assistant at John Lewis, which means that I am sent a postcard notifying me when a similar campaign is running in that department store. If I find I need to purchase before then, I look out for the promotions in Selfridges, House of Fraser, Boots and Debenhams. Over the years I have probably had 9 or 10 free goody bags, often containing at least one travel size version of items I purchase regularly, as well as enabling me to try out a variety of products. My opinion of a selection of those samples I can remember well is briefly detailed further below.

Along with the mascara, there are another 2 products which I cannot live without (of course that’s an exaggeration but you know what I mean). Firstly, Mousse Confort, a face wash cream I use in the shower every morning. Contained in a rather girly pink tube with a grey cap and grey product name and details on it is 125 mls of divine pink cream, the smallest amount of which, when coupled with water, creates a smooth, rich and foamy lather. With no discernible fragrance, this is the most delicate face wash I have found which does not make my dry and sensitive skin feel taut as other products do, yet removes all traces of make up and grime. It’s not cheap at £16.00, but it is exquisite to use and lasts approximately 4 months.

My other ‘must have’ is a 3-in-1 cleanser and toner for both face and eyes called Eau de Bienfait Clarte. In a semi-opaque pale blue bottle, with transparent removable cap and white plunge dispenser, this liquid is watery in consistency (like a toner), doesn’t smell of anything much (maybe a hint of the papaya extracts contained within?), is extremely gentle but has a rapid cleansing action. I apply it to cotton wool pads (I wet the pads with water first which makes the cleanser last longer) and wipe all over my face and neck and am left with clean refreshed skin, and no traces of mascara. Available in 2 sizes, 200 ml @ £16.00 and 400 ml @ £26.00, I always choose the larger bottle as it’s better value.

Products I’ve tried in sample sizes:

Hydra Zen Special Peaux Seches (50ml jar @ £27.50) - a nice product but not sufficiently moisturising for me despite being designed for dry skin

Primordiale Intense (50 ml jar @ £38.00) - I’m using a free 15 ml jar of this “visible skin refining anti-age treatment” at the moment and despite my initial misgivings on sight of the almost runny pink cream it is a very effective moisturiser - but I’ll have to receive several comments about how much younger I’m looking to persuade me to part with that much cash for a full size pot

Gel Clarte (125 ml tube @ £16.00) - this foaming cleansing gel is designed for combination skin and was too drying for my face - a friend likes it though and now buys regularly

Tonique Confort (200 ml bottle @ £16.00) - I found this utterly pointless - you’re supposed to use it like a toner for dry and sensitive skin but it’s a lotion - most of which seemed to remain on my cotton wool pad unless I applied pressure and then it just seemed to sit on my skin

Amplicils (£15.50) - awful stuff, it’s apparently designed to thicken lashes - I found the brush clogged up with gooey black mascara which had my lashes sticking together, it was also quite difficult to remove

I hardly wear any makeup (just tinted moisturiser and mascara most of the time) so the samples of foundation, eye shadow and lipstick I’ve received are passed on to appreciative friends or relatives who seem to like them very much - especially the Maqui Libre fluid foundation.

Disappointingly, none of the Lancôme fragrances available in the UK are really to my taste, and my samples of these are therefore always passed on, but the mascara and cleansers I use daily are outstanding and the generosity of the freebies is such that I feel inclined to give 5 stars to the range.

For full product details, including video clips illustrating how to use them, and information on careers with the company, you can visit the website at www.lancome.com.