Monday 13 September 2021

TIMELESS by Avon

There are many fragrances that have stood the test of time and, against all the odds, have continued to appeal to both old and new fans. These are often under-appreciated gems because, after being on the market for such a long time, they can easily be seen as old fashioned or out of date. However, all it usually needs is a friendly nudge to bring them back into the spotlight. When Avon launched Timeless back in 1974 they could never have imagined that forty-seven years later it would still be such a firm favourite with their customers, or that it would share its famous birthday with pop supergroup ABBA.

Unless you’ve actually been living in a cave, the return of the second biggest Swedish export after Volvo has caused a music meltdown. I’m talking about ABBA. This pop group took the world by storm in 1974 when they won the Eurovision Song Contest, and they would go on to enjoy an incredible eight years of success before they began a very long pause in 1982. The group’s famous “Waterloo” was accompanied around the country by wafts of the brand new Timeless from Avon, so it seems fitting to revisit it on the occasion of ABBA’s reunion.

Avon has to be one of the most underrated perfume brands in the world. It’s a strong statement to make, but it’s a fact. The company was founded in 1886 by David H. McConnell, although until 1939 it was called the California Perfume Company. He was a door-to-door salesman and he had the great idea of switching from books to reasonably priced perfumes. You have to remember that perfume, and later cosmetics, were very much a luxury. So he was actually instrumental in giving women the opportunity to purchase for themselves rather than relying on the traditional route of it being gifted.

Avon
’s catalogue of fragrances is well over a thousand, and some have disappeared over the years, but Timeless is going nowhere. The company tried to discontinue it at one point but, such was the outcry, they quickly admitted defeat and brought it back. The formula has been tweaked over the years, and nobody knows who actually created it, but it still has a wonderfully seventies feel. The parallel to ABBA doesn’t stop with the launch year. Their latest single is called “I Still Have Faith in You” and, for many Avon fans, that is the message they continue to send to the company with every purchase of Timeless.

The fragrance opens with an intriguing blend of sparkling citrus, led by a green bergamot, but it’s also accompanied by an early appearance of the resinous amber base. As it develops you start to get a rich floral heart coming through thanks to the magnolia, rose and jasmine, but a woody blend of vetiver and cedarwood stops it becoming too dense. Alongside a touch of clove, the final pairing of sweetened patchouli and an iris-ladden musk provides a delicious quality that, as the note of oakmoss arrives, results in a wonderfully chypre finish. Timeless is definitely a force to be reckoned with, but isn’t that what the seventies was all about?

Timeless is available as an eau de toilette from the Avon website at avon.uk.com priced at £5 for 50ml. [Product was purchased]

14 comments:

  1. Thank you for reviewing one of my very favorite fragrances; I also think it is one of the best perfumes of its style ever made. Off to check out some of your other reviews!

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    1. Thank you for your comment, and I agree that it's a fantastic fragrance. I hope you enjoy the other reviews on here. Best, Stephan

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  2. Hi love this perfume fragrance.since I can not find it on market Ive been searching for another one similar to it, but could never find . Is it still on sale .?

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    1. Hello, the Timeless fragrance should be available on the Avon website or through your local rep. It's well worth hunting out. Best, Stephan

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  3. Where can I purchase Timeless Avon perfume, as it’s my favourite and it looks as if it’s been discontinued?

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    1. Hello, the Timeless fragrance is currently showing as out of stock on the Avon website, but it's available through Amazon. Best, Stephan

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    2. Yep at what cost have bought this perfume in the past for as little as £4.99

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    3. No timeless perfume on Amazon for sale😤😤🤔🤔

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  4. Hi I've tried getting the timeless perfume through my rep is it coming up for sale at Christmas

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    1. Hello, great to hear that it's coming back for Christmas! Best, Stephan

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  5. Hello I've tried getting timeless perfume through my rep and asked the question is it coming back for Christmas Avon is still not selling timeless as it be discontinued

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    1. Hello, thank you for your comment. It does seem as though it's not currently available through Avon, but it is available on Amazon. Best wishes, Stephan

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  6. This is the fragrance that my mother wore, in the 70's, when I was a child and it was my favorite scent. A few years ago I bought a bottle just to have her scent, from that time in our lives. I really enjoyed your ode to Timeless here! Thank you - Mandy

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    1. Hello Mandy, thank you for your comment. I'm so pleased that you liked the article, and that the fragrance brings back happy memories for you. Best, Stephan

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