Do you turn your nose up at non-designer fragrances, assuming that an affordable price tag equals a perfume that smells, well, cheap? Think again. The truth is, many of the world’s leading fragrance creators spread their olfactory excellence far and wide, blending scents for both high-end and high street.
For instance, Jo Malone CBE has collaborated on fragrances for Zara, Olivier Pescheux has whipped up perfumes for brands as diverse as H&M and Diptyque, and Frank Voelkl, the man behind Le Labo’s beloved, iconic Santal 33, was called upon by ‘luxe for less’ brand Beauty Pie.
Now it’s the turn of Avon and a trio of new ‘Perfect Nonsense’ scents with an impressive designer pedigree at the accessible price of £10.50. Arguably the stand-out eau de parfum is Peppery Peaches, which has not one but two fragrance gurus behind it.
Peppery Peaches’ perfumer Shyamala Maisondieu has a credit list as long as the EasyJet check-in queue: Prada Paradoxe, Tom Ford Velvet Orchid (and five other TF favourites), Caroline Herrera’s Good Girl family, Molton Brown, Estee Lauder, L’Occitane, Lancôme and many more. Meanwhile, the scent’s ‘nose’, Nisrine Bouazzaoui Grillié, has worked for prestigious names including Parfums Christian Dior and Dolce&Gabbana.
What does Peppery Peaches smell like?
While I’m not suggesting it’s a dupe for any of the other creations, I can confidently say it's the work of two fragrance gurus who know how to construct a good perfume, to suit any budget.
Peppery Peaches is a floral fruity scent and a great everyday option, especially for summer. It has a light, floaty quality, with a mix of crowd-pleasing notes, plus a couple of quirky flourishes. The first impression comes from peach balanced with a pinch of pink peppercorns, and then the floral element begins to bloom with white flowers and a subtle hint of rose petals.
There’s a solar note, for a summery feel, and then a dry-down softness from tonka bean and vanilla sugar. Overall, it’s an easy-going daytime option, and smells more expensive than you’d expect from something just over a tenner.
I’ve put this to the secret spray test in the GH office and out with friends, and had a fair few (unsolicited) ‘You smell good, what’s that?’ comments. Certainly nobody would have guessed it costs just £10.50, and that’s the joy of fragrance – you wear a perfume on your wrist, not a brand name or price tag.
The one thing I will say about this, and the other two Perfect Nonsense scents, is that the longevity and sillage (perfume 'trail') aren't the best. That's standard for a budget fragrance; more premium brands do spend their money on richer, longer-lasting perfume notes as well as luxurious packaging and expensive adverts and celebrity ambassadors. However, at £10.50 a bottle, you can probably afford to top up more frequently.
What else is in the Avon Perfect Nonsense range?
Not a floral fan? Not to worry. I have a sweet spot for the line-up's Choco Tuberose EDP which taps into the ‘neo gourmand’ trend I’m seeing from a host of high-end brands this year, from Akro to Juliette Has A Gun, but at a far more affordable price.
The key note, as you might have guessed, is cocoa, but it's subtle and non-cloying. In fact, the overall impression is more floral than foodie. Airy tuberose adds a freshness that’s a signature of its fragrance creator, Pascal Gaurin (Lacroix, Calvin Klein, Armani, By Kilian).
Boozy perfume is another fragrance trend I’m partaking in this season, particularly Van Cleef & Arpels’ rum-soaked Moonlight Rose. (It is delicious, however it’s an indulgent £164 a bottle, so best enjoyed in moderation). Avon’s take on the boozy trend, Bamboozie Cocktail, combines a splash of gin with juniper, white tea and jasmine for something light and lively. The fragrance mixology comes courtesy of nose Florian Gallo, who includes Kenzo, Granado and Zadig & Voltaire among his credits.
And, like all the new Avon scents, the price tag won’t give you a financial hangover.
