From an Avon Baby to a Beauty Insider: The Avon Experience Beyond the Catalogue

June 08, 2018
by
shai habon

I am a self-confessed Avon baby. And by baby, I mean being a product of all my mom’s profit as an Avon Rep (who also happens to be a top performer during her league — proof that we got the sales genes, yeah).

I grew up browsing through newly printed brochures while swatching all types of scents and makeups and getting first dibs on some of Avon’s newest items. From the Intimates baby bra (to being a cup A forevs), to getting Simply Pretty lippies for the teenage me and to actually trying out a bunch of scents like Sweet Honesty and Imari — ask me to name all the Avon brands and I’m pretty sure I can ace it. I also remember accompanying my mom every time she makes purchase orders and picking items along aisles and aisles of beauty stuff.

So yes, basically, my mom was once an Avon lady.

And for the longest time, this has been Avon’s role in my life. A series of monthly catalogues with a bountiful earning potential.

Late last year, I got the news that Avon actually picked me to be one of their media representatives to join their press junket event in Shanghai. It was so bizarre that it didn’t feel real until March of this year, when the company started collecting our passports and Visa requirements.

I was like, “OH GIRL.THIS.REALLY.IS.HAPPENING”.

And so, last May 22, I travelled to China together with 9 other beautiful women.

Our goal: Learn more about Avon’s Research and Development Facility. And what do we call ourselves? We are your Avon Beauty Insiders.

Before anything else, I just want to let you know that Shanghai is AMAZING (uh-may-zing). The weather, the surroundings, the food and all the other puny things about it are PERF. I’m gonna do a separate blog about it and I swear, you’ll fall in love with this city too.

Day 1 of our trip is pretty much about meeting people, socialising and getting equipped with things.

We had an early flight from Manila to Pudong International Airport. Right after landing, we rode the Maglev train, a magnetic levitation train that is supported by electromagnetic attraction which runs so fast, you think you’re actually part of a futuristic movie. Haha! After which, we took the bus to get to Twelve at Hengshan Hotel.

One word to describe the hotel? EXQUISITE.

I’m a fan of airbnbs and hotels but seriously, this is probably the best I’ve seen and experienced so far. I did a mini room tour in my stories and if you’ve been following me, you can probably recall how giddy I am with everything as I try to explain each part of the room.

After a few minutes of rest, we went straight to dinner and had cocktails after. The Avon team took us to Epicure on 45 at Radisson Blu where we got a 360 degree view of Shanghai and all its glory.

Day 2 is a learning adventure for all of us because this is the R&D day. It took us 45 mins to get to the facility and the moment we stepped out of the bus, we were greeted with tons of smiles from the Avon fam.

Rafal Lukasik, Head of AVON Shanghai R&D Center welcomed us and gave us a short brand backgrounder.

According to Rafal, Avon started as a fragrance brand in 1886 and after years and years of being in the business, Avon was able to expand its product line and offerings thriving with three manufacturing centres: India, China and the Philippines and two R&D centres in Suffern, New York and Shanghai, China.

The Shanghai R&D serves as the Asian headquarters where product development focuses solely on the needs of the Asian consumers.

After his talk, we were divided into groups and were directed to wear lab gowns and goggles before we formally start the tour.

Ohhh so fancy!

The experience was divided into 5 different stations and is a synthesis of how the R&D facility is clustered – skin care, body care, color group and fragrance group.

Each station highlights a particular product, some of them intended to improve beauty and wellness by targeting specific skin and body issues and the other one for fragrance.

What I love most about this station-hopping experience is that we were lectured and given some sort of tests along the way (plus a bunch of free products as well) 🙂

Station 1 is about Glutathione and Anti-oxidants. Here, we were given a lecture on free radicals and how Avon has formulated a kind of product that could address all these issues.

Glutathione is said to be an effective tool in preventing damage to important cellular components caused by reactive oxygen species such as free radicals, peroxides, lipid peroxides, and heavy metals.

In a series of test, it has been proven that Avon’s glutathione products are more effective compared to other competing brands.

Station 2 is the Make Your Own Lipstick spot and pretty much my favourite part of the “field trip”. In this station, we had the opportunity to take out freshly made lipsticks out of the mould and tadaaah, we have our own red lippies.

Fun fact: I’m a HUGE FAN OF AVON RED LIPSTICKS. Ruby Kiss, Red Supreme – name them, I love them.

Station 3 is all about ANEW’s Fairness Technology.

ANEW is formulated to reduce the production of Melanin, the pigment in our skin responsible for our skin color and also, to help keep our skin smooth and supple.

For Station 4, we did a skin-moisture test. The objective of this test is to demonstrate the technology of Avon’s moisture products and lotions.

I didn’t apply any lotion prior the tour, basically the reason why my skin has a very low moisture level of 22.67 but after applying Avon’s Skin So Soft, it spiked to an astonishing 44.63.

Station 5 is all about scents — how Avon meticulously craft and develop scents with all their high-end machineries and wide-range of technology.

Fun Fact 1.0: I’ve always been a fan of Avon Sheer Passion Sprays because they make you smell fresh and bagong-ligo all day 🙂

After all the station shenanigans, I have to say that I am not just impressed, I am completely stunned. Avon isn’t just about fancy beauty things that can be seen in brochures and monthly catalogues. Avon, particularly the R&D Center, drives beauty by creating products at demonstrable quality and value.

The heart of Avon is all about excellence and researched-based products that are specifically curated based on the needs of the consumers. Not only that, Avon remains at the forefront of scientific developments and surely, it is a never-ending journey.

Now I don’t wanna crowd you with statistics and highfalutin terms. Simply put, Avon is all about scientific research + optimum quality combined and mind you, they understand that every race is unique so rest assured that every product that comes out from your regional catalogue is best fit for you.

Lastly, what made me admire the brand more is their vision and initiative to empower women by giving them profitable opportunities. Letting people succeed in entrepreneurship and making them the boss of their own – this has always been a part of Avon’s mission.

Honestly, I am where I am today because of Avon. My mom is a living proof that Avon ladies thrive because the brand supports them well.

Now the last part of our 3-day trip is more about food and photo op. We also had the chance to wrap everything up with a video. Here it is.

So yes, that’s everything about our Avon trip in Shanghai. Another thrilling news is that Avon is releasing its newest line called Mark and I promise to give you a more detailed review (and probably a whole makeup look tutorial) before the end of the month.

Once again, this is Avon beyond the catalogue. I am Shaira Habon, your Avon Beauty Insider.

Xie Xie <3

Comments Off

12 Comments

vit.ceelin
8th Jun 2018 - 6:49 am

??? Hi Ms. Shai, Aside sa travel blogs mo, heto yung favorite ko. Why, nakikita ko yung saya mo, hoping na sana mameet po kita gusto ko makita in reality smile and tawa mo ???. Sa Maglev train po, anong feeling?????
On your tour, I was fascinated in Station 1 and 2, nabago yung views ko regarding avon products, looking at the facilities and research conducted it means that the products they are producing has the potential effectiveness to every user from moisture kit to makeups, also how they empower woman and to be a part of this research and creating products for every individual.
itsrhubieee
8th Jun 2018 - 9:28 am

Hi ate shai!! First I want to congratulate you for all the success! You deserve it! I’m just smiling while reading your blog 🙂 from being an Avon baby to a Beauty Insider? That’s a super mega achievement! Loveyou!
Dhes Daroya
8th Jun 2018 - 9:44 am

I am an Avon baby too! I used to accompany my lola who buys stuff for herself sa Avon so I also get to shop mine hihi… but now, I am still a user of the Avon Skin So Soft lotion. I never ran out of it! swear!! natataranta ako kapag isa lang back-up ko. Cheers to your Avon field trip Madam Shai! It only proves that Avon is not just a brand na nilalako lang mga elderly natin before but it has evolved a lot through time narin. I love the make your own lipstick part dahil everytime gagamitin mo yun, it will remind you of your experience. Hooray for more Avon Insider trips in the future and for being Avon babies from then till now.
shai habon
8th Jun 2018 - 11:22 am

Hello love! Thank you for your heartwarming message <3 Sa Maglev train super comfy naman but you can feel the speed of the train! You can also see kung ilang km sya tumatakbo so you'd be conscious na mabilis talaga sya 🙂

Glad to know that you love everything about Avon too! Hope you can help me spread the word. Much love, Shai <3
shai habon
8th Jun 2018 - 11:24 am

Yayyyy! Thank you so much <3
shai habon
8th Jun 2018 - 11:27 am

Yes! We are all Avon babies! Nakakarelate tayo lahat haha! It’s such a wonderful experience to actually know more about Avon and how it has flourished! Thank you for dropping by and reading my blog 🙂
Guia Joy
8th Jun 2018 - 1:34 pm

Hi ate shai I really really really love you since then up to now manghang mangha kami sa mga naabot mo thank you dahil very detailed ka talaga magshare. We can definitely show our interests sa blogs mo sa posts mo sa IG because of the caption. A huge help putting a long caption it’s because we can also visualize what happened on your last trip as an Avon Beauty Insider just by capturing sa mind ko yung sinabi mo sa caption. I can adopt na yung pagiging active mo ikaw ang tunay na guru- influencer! Someday I wanna be like you. I want to work hard. Thank you! and God bless. This makes me want to buy a MARK- AVON COSMETICS. but I can’t afford as of now huhu iyaaaak! God bless your genuine & selfless heart. God has used you so much???
Arselyn de Guzman-Intoy
9th Jun 2018 - 12:39 am

Congratulations to you again, Ms. Shai! Parang lahat ata lumaki na with Avon. My mom was an Avon Lady din before nung late elementary to high school days ko. Lagi ko sya sinasamahan mag P.O. sa Avon sa may Solis Tondo, then yung mga pa-order nya, katulong nya ko sa paglilista. ? Yung tagal ni Avon sa industry, proof sya talaga na well-loved sya ng lahat! Pinaka-love ko sa products nila are their lippies, mascara and lotion. Inabangan ko lagi yung sale nila ng lipstick, kasi pag nag sale sila bongga, minsan 2 lipstick for less than 300 lang. Ngayon super in love ako with Mauve Matters and Ruby Kiss, pak ganern sa ganda yung shades!
During your R&D day, na-amazed ako sa mga test na pinakita nila sa inyo bout effectivity ng products nila. Lalo na yung sa Gluta section, yung ke Avon lang talaga yung ambilis nag-turn to yellow yung color, yung other brands halos wala changes. Then yung make-your-own-lipstick, ang saya! Wish ko rin na matry yang makagawa ng own lipstick, iba kasi yung happiness na naibibigay ng lipstick sa ating mga girls! Diba, Ms. Shai? ?
Super generous and sweet pa ni Avon sa inyo kasi bukod sa warm welcome, learnings from people sa R&D, may first dibs din kayo ke Mark. Isang traincase filled with Avon products, so much happiness. Abangan ko yung thoughts mo bout sa Mark line nila.
–
P.S. Sorry haba ng comment ko ?✌ btw, yung outfits mo sa China, gaganda! Slay talaga! ?
Again, congratulations! Advance Happy Birthday! Wish ko for you, the best of health! Kasi daig mo pa si wonderwoman sa dami ng roles and duties mo daily. Also, I pray na sana lahat ng desires ni Papa G for you, come true the soonest!
Lyn Crisostomo
9th Jun 2018 - 4:14 pm

Hi Ms. Shai. Congrats po sa achievements mo! Ang galing galing since grade school di kami nawawalan ng Avon Products saka ang daming freebies pag resseler/ representative ng Avon. Hehe lagi meron mother ko freebies. I really like their lingeries and underwears since middle school till now Avon pa rin brand ko haha. To tell you honestly nung nag tour kayo sa china pinanood ko lahat ng ig stories mo pati na rin yung sa ibang bloggers na kasama mo po. Na amaze ako literally lalo na yung pag kuha nyo ng lipstick haha nakakakaba parang mapuputol ? pero ang galing kasi buong buo pa din. Ibig sabihin maganda talaga yung mga products nila. Saka nakita ko kung pano nila ginagawa yung mga products nila mas lalo lumaki trust ko sa Avon. Thank you Ms. Shai dito sa blog post mo. Share ko sa mom ko tong Avon Insider Story mo. ?
Ruth
9th Jun 2018 - 5:34 pm

Hello Ate Shai 🙂

Love how you document the experience! Always nice to learn things and have access to these things from the brands that we love 🙂 I am so happy for you!
shai habon
11th Jun 2018 - 8:07 am

Hello! Thank you for reading my story 🙂 Super true. Quality talaga ang Avon products kaya very happy din ako sa trip na ito. It is a learning experience for me 🙂
shai habon
11th Jun 2018 - 8:10 am

Thank you so much love! <3