Far Away Shine

I have been an Avon representative for the last eleven years now (2013-2024) and I state: I have never been a fan of the Far Away line (or an enthusiast). However, from time to time, the line brings something that really catches my attention and taste. The first was Far Away Exotic some time in 2013. The second, Far Away Infinity, in 2016. Now, Far Away Shine, 2024. I have been enjoying this cute, delicious and luminous fragrance for the last few weeks. To me it is as blissful as a morning when I wake up after a very good night's sleep and it is sunny outside. I like the opening with the juicy, fruity and slightly spicy chord. And I simply love the flowery heart. I wait for that gardenia note with all bells on! And Far Away Shine gets even prettier with that traditional vanillic note. I had the opportunity to try Her Secret Absolu by Antonio Banderas and noticed they are quite alike. Banderas' being mildly spicier at the heart, which makes me lean towards Shine. It is as good as it is affordable and I would add: it is great for such a price tag, which makes it a fair deal. I am so in love with Shine to the point of feeling like searching and acquire more fragrances with that type of construction. To my despair: they are many. But it will be quite a nice journey to try several of them and love each moment of it. I do recommend Far Away Shine. At least a good test on your skin.

As taken from the Avon site: Top note: Powerful Pink Pepper...For a crisp and spicy freshness. Middle note: Elegant Ispahan Rose...Adds a rich floral depth. Base note: Luminous Golden Musk...A warm and delicate accord. To me, in cold weather this smells similar to Michael Buble By Invitation, Avon Maxima or Avon Luck. The top notes are wonderful but the dry down is that same peppery masculine edge that drove me away with these others. It is a warm yellow combo of fruity and floral until the pink pepper kicks in. BUT! In HOT weather it becomes a meltingly rich floral, no more sharpness, a long lasting gardenia rose vanilla. I definitely get the comparison to banderas absolu now, along the lines of The One and other rich glowing tropical florals with no fruit punch overtones. I find it tricky to wear thick florals in hot weather, but oh, it's gorgeous, so maybe for night time, when it can be sultry and seductive.

This fragrance has been growing on me. There is a smooth well known story of patchouli-caramel-iris, mixing nicely with the lively fruitiness. This fruity loops gives some vitamins to the floral stage which is bravely emerging from the sweetish theme. I like the base, a pacified green vanilla with gardenia nuances. Nothing wrong, weird or mischievous here. Who would wear this and when? I imagine someone nice, liking to smile, liking to sing, wearing yellow summer dresses with funny glasses and rainbow painted nails. She wouldn’t be very subtle, but she would be fair, faithful and trustworthy, so I would be so grateful if she agreed to become my best friend.

I love lychee & raspberry notes and Far Away Shine has plenty of them, slightly spiced with pink pepper - this sweet blend develops immediately and it lasts throughout the weartime. The floral heart is the least 'classic Far Away' of everything I've owned from the line; I can separate a drop of jasmine with the rose, but I don't get hardly any orange blossom, which I've come to expect in a Far Away flanker's floral heart. It's the gardenia that is the most prominent floral note to me. Sandalwood isn't listed as being included in Far Away Shine, but I pick up on some - or a very reminiscent blend of gentle woody notes. The tonka & a pinch of patchouli gives it a touch more power, but I do wish the blend packed a bit more of a punch. The longevity & projection aren't up to the impressive levels that are usual for the Far Away fragrance line; the 6 hours average weartime & the moderate projection are great for a perfume at this price, however we've been spoilt by the Far Away line so I just was hoping for more. I do think that Far Away Shine is for sure a spring/summer fragrance, as the fragrance doesn't wear well in colder months - it becomes a skin scent very quickly, and the floral notes don't develop fully. Overall I do like Far Away Shine and will continue to wear and enjoy it, however I don't think that it has that special x factor in it that makes me love it.

To my nose all I can smell is like the fizzing vitamin tablets you put in water. Edit: OK I need to modify my original comment. On paper this scent was truly like I described earlier but on my skin is where the magic happens! It smells like a rose tea with candied orange peel or ginger on me but rather sweet than spicy. It turns really warm and creamy towards the drydown. This is actually a very lovely all year round scent. My only problem is the longevity. It lasts no longer than 2 hours on my skin which is a bummer. This is a very unique scent and I would totally buy this if I could figure out how to make this last longer.