Until recently, It has been several years since I bought anything from Avon. A woman I worked with used to be a rep and I used to buy from her on a regular basis, but when she left I didn't know any other Avon reps.

CATALOGUE

That was until a couple of months ago when an Avon catalogue popped through my letterbox at home. I had a quick flick through it and then after a more in depth look, found lots of things that I really wanted!

The catalogues are renewed every month and they are A5 size, so quite easy to pop in your handbag and take out for a browse if you don't have time to look at it at home.

The Avon catalogue has about 150 pages, sometimes more and is packed full of items. The sections are colour coded to make it easier for you to find what you are looking for.

CONTENTS

The first few pages usually mention any special offers or free offers that are available.

The catalogue is then in sections of Make up, skincare, fragrance, bath and body, haircare and fashion. A special section is devoted to kids' products.

MAKE UP

Avon offer everything from foundation to eye shadows, mascara, eye liner, lipstick and nail products. I used to find their eye shadows irritated me when I first used Avon years ago, but now I am fine with them.

I like their lipsticks too, they are very easy to apply and seem to stay on well.

I love Avon nail varnishes and now I have started buying from them again, I no longer buy other brands. I find Avon nail varnish stays put and doesn't chip as easily as other brands.

SHADES

A section in the booklet is devoted to shade selection. This shows each make up product and the different shades available in each range. If you are still unsure you can ask your Rep to show an actual sample, or if you order and find the shade is not what you thought, Avon offer a 100% money back guarantee.

All Avon products come in a wide range of shades, some of them unobtainable elsewhere. I had been looking for nail varnish in a particular shade for ages without success, then there in the Avon book was exactly what I wanted..

GUARANTEE

Because of their guarantee I have confidence in Avon products. I have often bought cosmetics from stores and when I have got them home and used them, found the shades to be different from how they looked under the store lights. I suppose I could take them back but I am not convinced they would be accepted. With Avon there is no quibble - if you are dissatisfied with a product in any way, you can have a refund or replacement.

SKINCARE

The skincare range offers everything for everyone! I remember buying their moisturisers when I was in my teens, now I look at the products for the more mature skin! Their ranges offer something for all ages and all skin types and all problem areas.

I find Avon skincare products all have a pleasant texture and a pleasant smell, not overpowering or sickly. And since I have been using their products for years, I have to say that they are good for my skin!

SEASONAL

In the latest Avon brochure there is a section devoted to suncare products. You can choose shimmering after sun oil spray to rehydrate your skin after a day in the sun. There is sun lotion, face moisture cream and after sun cooling products. If you are going on holiday Avon products are competitively priced and start as low as 3.50.

FRAGRANCES

Out of all the Avon products I have to say that I am not keen on many of their fragrances. I remember when they sold such perfumes as "Occur" and although all my friends liked it, I found it too heady for me. I prefer to stick to my favourite perfume which is not Avon.

Having said this, I have not asked my Rep for samples of the latest perfumes available, maybe I should do as they are bound to have changed since I last bought them.

For those of you who might like Avon fragrances there is a wide range of products. Most fragrances are available as perfume spray, bath/shower gel and body cream.

Examples of the fragrances are floral families with Perceive and Dream Life. Then there are the aromatic, musk and green ranges.

Avon also have a range of products for men, offering deodorant, body spray, shower gel and after shave. Again, ask your rep for testers to find a fragrance you like (or he likes!)

BATH AND BODY

I love Avon Skin so Soft range. Their daily moisturiser is so easy to apply and leaves my skin really soft.

This month's brochure offers a range of footcare products, such as lavendar comfort which is actually a kind of "face mask" for feet! I have ordered some of this but as I haven't yet got my order can't say what it is like.

HAIRCARE

Avon haircare products are good too. They offer shampoos, conditioners and special treatments. These include repair products, beat the firzz, colour extender cream and others.

They also have a range of styling products, including brushes.

FASHION

One thing which surprised me is the jewellery items which Avon offer. These are very competitively priced and some of them look stunning! This month there is an offer where you can mix and match three items for a tenner!!! What a fantastic saving on normal prices!!!! I just cannot afford not to treat myself!!

They also have bags, lingerie and nightwear as well as different fashion accessories from time to time.

KIDS

Avon also cater for the younger members of the family with a range of products, from fashion to toys.

PRICES

What I like about Avon is that their prices are very reasonable and with their Special Offers you can make considerable savings. My Rep usually advises me when an item is likely to be on special offer and if I have ordered it beforehand she will advise me to wait.

REPS

All the Avon reps I have met are really pleasant, friendly and happy to advise. To be honest, I think they must work very hard if they sell from door to door. All those brochures to deliver, collect a few days later, then return again when the orders arrive. I am sure for the reps who sell to their work colleagues it must be a lot easier!

I must admit when I first got the Avon book through my door I was unsure whether to buy anything. But once I had looked through it I just couldn't resist buying some of my old favourites again.

DING DONG

So if you remember the advert where the doorbell rings "Ding dong" and the lady stands there "Avon calling", maybe you should find out if there is a local rep for you.

The Avon website is www.avon.uk.com and you will find all the information you need on there.