You probably recognize the name. It’s synonymous with that distinct ding-dong doorbell chime and a neighbor holding a catalog full of "Skin So Soft" and rose-scented lipsticks. But if you're asking when did Avon start, you aren't just looking for a date on a calendar. You're looking for the story of a failed book salesman who realized women didn't actually want his novels—they wanted the free perfume samples he was giving away to get his foot in the door.
It was 1886.
David H. McConnell was 28 years old. He lived in a world where women couldn’t even vote, yet he inadvertently built a platform that would eventually give millions of them a shot at financial independence. He didn't set out to disrupt the beauty industry. Honestly, he just wanted to sell books. When he noticed the floral oil perfumes he mixed himself were a bigger hit than the literature, he pivoted. Hard. He founded the California Perfume Company (CPC) in a tiny space in Manhattan. That was the seed.
From Books to the California Perfume Company
Wait, why "California" if he was in New York?
McConnell had a friend who described the Golden State in such glowing, floral terms that the name just felt right for a fragrance brand. He started with the "Little Dot Set." It was basically five scents: Violet, White Rose, Heliotrope, Lily-of-the-Valley, and Hyacinth. Simple. Effective. Very Victorian.
But the real genius wasn't the juice in the bottles. It was Mrs. P.F.E. Albee.
If McConnell was the engine, Albee was the fuel. She’s widely considered the first "Avon Lady," though the term hadn't been coined yet. At 50 years old, Persis Foster Eames Albee traveled by horse and buggy through Winchester, New Hampshire. She wasn't just selling; she was recruiting. She pioneered the "Direct Sales" model that still exists today. It’s kinda wild to think that a 19th-century woman in a long dress and a corset was the original influencer, but that’s exactly what she was.
By the time the company reached its 20th anniversary in 1906, they had over 10,000 representatives. They were hitting $500,000 in sales. In 1900s money? That’s massive.
The Transition to the Avon Name
You might be wondering why we don't call it CPC today.
The name change didn't happen overnight. In 1928, the company launched a line of products called "Avon." McConnell had visited Stratford-upon-Avon in England and was obsessed with the landscape. He loved Shakespeare. He felt the name captured the "English garden" vibe he wanted his brand to project.
The brand grew. It survived the Great Depression. While other luxury goods were failing, the "Lipstick Effect" kept them afloat. Basically, even when people are broke, they’ll spend a few cents on a small luxury like a tube of lipstick to feel human.
Finally, in 1939, the California Perfume Company officially became Avon Products, Inc.
Why the 1950s Changed Everything
After World War II, things got crazy. The "Ding Dong, Avon Calling" ad campaign launched in 1954. It’s one of the most successful marketing slogans in history.
Television was becoming the dominant medium. Suburban sprawl was exploding. Housewives were often isolated in these new housing developments, and the arrival of an Avon representative wasn't just a sales pitch—it was a social event. It was a "coffee and catalogs" culture.
The numbers are staggering:
- By 1946, sales hit $21 million.
- By 1972, they were at $1 billion.
- They expanded to the UK in 1959.
They weren't just selling makeup anymore. They were selling a lifestyle. You've probably seen the vintage decorative decanters—the glass cars, the bells, the animals filled with aftershave. Those were 1960s and 70s staples. My grandmother still has a glass Mallard duck on a shelf somewhere that probably still smells like 1974.
Modern Struggles and the Big Split
It hasn't all been roses and perfume. The late 2000s and 2010s were brutal for Avon.
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Digital shopping changed the game. When you can buy anything with a thumb-press on Amazon, waiting for a neighbor to drop off a paper catalog feels... slow. The company struggled to modernize. There were bribery scandals in China and sagging sales in the U.S.
In 2016, the company actually split.
- Avon North America: This became a separate, private entity (New Avon LLC). It was later bought by the Korean giant LG H&H in 2019.
- Avon Products, Inc. (Global): This handled the rest of the world. In 2020, it was acquired by the Brazilian beauty powerhouse Natura & Co (who also own The Body Shop and Aesop).
It’s important to realize that the "Avon" you see in the US today is a totally different corporate beast than the "Avon" you see in Brazil or the Philippines.
The Ethical Side: Breast Cancer and Animal Testing
One thing people often overlook when asking when did Avon start is when they started caring about social causes. They were actually ahead of the curve here.
In 1955, they started the Avon Foundation. Since then, they've raised over $1 billion for breast cancer research and domestic violence awareness. They were also one of the first major beauty companies to stop testing on animals back in 1989. For a "legacy" brand, they’ve often been more progressive than their younger, "clean beauty" competitors give them credit for.
Misconceptions About the "Pyramid"
Is it an MLM? Yes and no.
People often confuse direct selling with illegal pyramid schemes. The difference is the product. In a pyramid scheme, the money comes from recruiting people who pay fees. At Avon, the money comes from selling actual products.
However, the "Multi-Level Marketing" structure is definitely there. You earn more if you build a team. Some people love it; others find the social pressure of selling to friends a bit "cringe." Whether you like the model or not, it’s undeniably what kept the brand alive for over 135 years.
What You Should Do Now
If you're researching Avon because you're interested in the vintage collectibles or the history of women in business, there are a few practical steps to take:
- Check the Markings: If you find an old bottle, look at the bottom. Pieces from the "California Perfume Company" era are extremely rare and valuable. "Avon Products, Inc." marks usually date post-1939.
- Look Beyond the US: If you are interested in the brand's current strength, look at Latin America. In places like Brazil, Avon is still a massive powerhouse and a primary source of income for many families.
- Evaluate the Modern Formula: If you’re buying today, look for the "Anew" line. It’s their high-tech skincare wing that actually holds some serious patents in Protinol technology, which helps with collagen.
Avon didn't just start as a beauty company; it started as a realization that human connection is the best sales tool. Whether it's 1886 or 2026, that hasn't changed.
To truly understand the legacy, look for the 1906 CPC "Great Seal." It represents the first time the company guaranteed the purity of its ingredients—long before the FDA made it a requirement. You can often find these original catalogs in digital archives like the Hagley Museum and Library, which holds a massive collection of Avon’s historical documents. Scanning those records gives you a glimpse into a time when "eau de cologne" was a luxury only a few could afford, delivered to the door by a woman with a mission.