My very first perfume came from Avon: it was a light floral scent in a bottle shaped like a French schoolgirl, from a Disney-inspired “Small World” collection. My second, and third, and fourth fragrances were also purchased from Avon: I wore a lot of Sweet Honesty in my grade school years, as well as Roses, Roses and Pearls & Lace. I haven’t tried any of Avon’s new releases in a long time, but I’ve been in an experimental mood so I tried two recent scents.

Flor Violeta (above left), which was just launched this spring, is “a sweet surprise of vibrant violet blossoms, sparkling apple and dreamy musk.” (It’s being sold as Only Imagine outside the United States.) The actress Kate del Castillo appears in some of its promotional materials, and its tagline is “Imagination in Bloom.” Flor Violeta isn’t exactly “imaginative,” to my nose: it’s a synthetic-smelling fruity-floral-musk scent whose powdery violet note is less apparent than you’d expect, given the fragrance’s name…

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