MAKEUP | Avon Iconic Lipsticks

The whole concept of the Avon lady knockin' on your front door was really how I first perceived direct marketing as a child. The thought of people coming to your door like Jehovah's Witnesses now strikes terror into the hearts of most, but back then it seemed so wholesome and convenient to have that one person who could help you with the perfect red lipstick or the perfect shade of posy pink. A couple of years ago, yours truly was an Avon consultant on the side because I wanted access to endless bottles of nail polish and though my main clients consisted of women in their 70s, whenever I would deliver their orders, they would often chat about how long they had used certain Avon products and what fond memories they had of Avon when they were younger and watching their own mothers buy from the "local Avon lady". Avon was a tradition in their households and this year's Iconic Lipsticks are inspired by just that - a rich heritage that began all the way back in 1886!

Avon Iconic Lipsticks

PR Samples
I get a fair number of Avon press samples and unfortunately, I don't have as much time as I would like to feature their products, but just the packaging alone for these Iconic Lipsticks had me in "Auld Lang Syne" nostalgia mode. Housed in holiday-themed cardboard boxes with I believe to be vintage Avon visuals, the lipsticks come in gold-plated, substantial feeling packaging with patterned caps that make these lipsticks pure collectables for a beauty lover. At $12 CDN each, there are five limited edition shades, three of which I have lip and arm swatches of for you!

Avon Iconic Lipsticks

The lipsticks are creamy and pigmented with the vampy "Sugar Plum" needing a few coats to adjust for patchiness which seems to be the case for a lot of dark coloured lipsticks. Must be the pigments used. "Merry Mauve" while nice has a frosty finish which makes me think of the 80s so I'm probably going to stay away from this one. "Holly Red" was my favourite as this is exactly what I think of when I think of a classic red lipstick.

Avon Iconic Lipsticks

Avon Iconic Lipsticks
Merry Mauve

Avon Iconic Lipsticks
Holly Red

Avon Iconic Lipsticks
Sugar Plum

Avon Iconic Lipsticks

The formula on all three lipsticks was very smooth, tons of pigmentation and decent wear time though they are not transfer proof thanks to their creamy finish.

Avon Iconic Lipsticks

Final verdict: Even if you feel like you have seen these shades before, these lipsticks FEEL luxurious in terms of packaging and take me back to the beginnings of makeup. I feel like I'm owning a little piece of history with these lipsticks and hope that Avon will come out with more tribute style limited editions like these!

There is also the Iconic Beauty Classics Collection containing three eyeshadow palettes which in addition to the Iconic Lipsticks can be purchased at avon.ca or through your local Avon Representative. 

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