More than just a scent, Perfect Nonsense, is a celebration of everything that makes you, well… you. Whether it’s your obsession with horrorcore playlists, your love of pineapple on pizza, or your slightly off dance moves on a night out – our Perfect Nonsense range doesn’t ask you to blend in. It invites you to stand out.
Released on 22nd April, Perfect Nonsense bottles individuality into three brilliantly unexpected scents. Made for those who don’t just embrace their quirks, they flaunt them.
To mark the launch, we ran a nationwide poll exploring how people across the UK feel about sharing the weird and wonderful parts of themselves. The verdict? “Weird” is officially the new cool. Across the board, we're seeing a powerful cultural shift: being “a little weird” isn’t something to hide, it’s something to be proud of.
As we unpack the insights from our poll, diving into self-confidence, social influence and community, one thing is clear: there’s no age limit on individuality and today, authenticity is the ultimate power move.
We asked people how comfortable they feel sharing their unique interests – think niche TV shows and quirky hobbies – and the results show a cultural shift in full swing.
Individuality is in
If “weird” is the new cool, we’re ready. Forget hiding your oddly specific playlists or unconventional fashion choices, individuality is officially in. A huge 77% of people say they feel at least somewhat or very comfortable being themselves, while just 1% admit to "following the crowd." It’s a clear sign of a cultural shift, with self-expression taking centre stage in a way that previous generations never quite embraced.
Nowhere is this more obvious than on TikTok, where niche communities aren’t just thriving, they’re setting the trends. Movements like #FeralGirlFall and alt fashion tutorials are rewriting the rules of what it means to go viral. Users are experimenting with style, humour and identity in ways that feel raw, real, and deeply personal. Perfection is out. Authenticity is everything.
Gen Z leads the quirky confidence movement
Gen Z isn’t just embracing their quirks, they’re turning them into personal brands. Up to 47% of 18–24s feel comfortable showing off what makes them different, with 35% feeling very comfortable. And while 6% still haven’t shared a unique interest, showing that social media can fuel second-guessing as much as self-expression, one thing is clear: Gen Z aren’t afraid to be odd – they’re afraid of being ordinary.
From Emma Chamberlain’s awkward-girl-next-door realness to niche aesthetics like goblincore, weirdcore, and clowncore (yes, really), Gen Z is reshaping what “normal” looks like. These influencers and online communities don’t just accept individuality, they celebrate it, proving that confidence doesn’t come from fitting in, but from standing way out.
The evolving face of masculinity
Masculinity is getting a much-needed makeover and it’s never looked better. Forget the stiff upper lip and macho posturing: today’s men are embracing individuality, emotion, and self-expression like never before. In fact, 36% of men say they feel very comfortable expressing their uniqueness and another 41% say they’re somewhat comfortable with it too. Only 3% still feel very uncomfortable, clinging to the “don’t stand out” rulebook.
With celebrities like Chris Hemsworth mixing muscle with mindfulness and Keanu Reeves becoming an introspective icon, this new wave of masculinity isn’t about shrinking to fit a stereotype. It’s about showing up, standing out and owning who you are.
Women are breaking free from ‘normal’
Women are leaning into their full selves, with 37% feeling very comfortable being themselves and 41% only somewhat. And who’s leading the charge? Icons like Lizzo, Phoebe Bridgers, Lady Gaga, Doja Cat, and Billie Eilish, who’ve collectively shown us a big ‘no thanks’ to outdated beauty rules. Lizzo doesn’t just accept her body – she worships it.
Billie’s style doesn’t focus on hyper-sexualisation. Instead, she rocks XXL everything and makes it fashion. Doja defies beauty expectations altogether with her look; a shaved head and brows. She turns every red carpet into a surreal art piece. Her style flips the script on what “pretty” is supposed to mean, daring the world to keep up. And Gaga? She’s been serving weird, wild and wonderful energy since day one.
Together, these artists challenge narrow beauty standards and show that how to build confidence starts with owning your story, not fitting someone else's. In doing this, they prove that authenticity is the most powerful form of expression.
Quirky doesn’t expire with age
Authenticity doesn’t come with an expiration date and our data backs this up. A confident 73% of over-65s say they feel at least somewhat comfortable being themselves. With age often comes the freedom to let go of outside expectations and lean fully into what makes you, uniquely you. Whether it’s unapologetic fashion choices, niche hobbies or bold opinions, self-expression only gets better with time.
What might seem like nonsense to others, is, for those living it boldly, nothing short of perfect. And it’s never too late to wear what you love, love what you love or smell like Perfect Nonsense.
After exploring how comfortable people feel expressing their quirks, we wanted to dig deeper; what really helps people feel more confident in showing up as their true, authentic selves every day?
From friends and online communities to personal style and digital role models, the answers revealed just how many different sources of confidence we draw from – and how those influences shift across age, gender and experience.
Community is the cornerstone of confidence
Confidence doesn’t always come from within. Sometimes, it starts with the people around you. When asked, 47% of respondents said that supportive friends or communities help them feel more confident in showing their true, authentic selves each day. And it makes sense. When you’re surrounded by people who get you, it’s easier to drop the mask and just be real. Because knowing you’re not alone in your quirks, goals, or insecurities, well, that’s one of the best ways to increase your confidence – and keep it.
Whether it’s run clubs that focused more on connection than the pace, queer community events that centre joy and visibility or group wellness classes that welcome everybody and every story, these spaces offer more than just something to do – they offer somewhere to belong.
Self-sufficiency rises with age
As we grow older, confidence often shifts from seeking approval to simply living life on our own terms. In fact, over 50% of people aged 55+ say they no longer need external validation to be themselves, showing a self-assuredness shaped by decades of experience, self-discovery and letting go of the pressure to conform.
For younger generations, the journey of building self-confidence is still unfolding. Just 6% of 18–24s say they don’t need help showing up as their authentic selves, as many navigate a world steeped in comparison culture and the pressure to perform.
Confidence grows with time, but wouldn’t it be great if we didn’t have to wait? Closing that gap means creating spaces – online and off – where realness isn’t just accepted, it’s celebrated. Because authenticity shouldn’t be something we grow into, it should be something we grow with.
Gen Z finds confidence in digital influence
In a world full of filters, Gen Z is turning to the creators who keep it real. Almost a third say authentic influencers help them feel more confident being themselves, proof that relatability is the new aspirational. Whether it’s creators like Bretman Rock blending glam with chaos or NikkieTutorials sharing bold beauty with total honesty, these influencers aren’t just serving looks, they’re creating space for self-expression without judgement.
In 2025, the world of beauty is louder, weirder and more fun than ever. From neon liner to face gems and faux freckles, make-up has become a mood, a message and a rebellion. Nearly 1 in 5 Gen Zers now use it as a tool to express identity, not just enhance appearance.
These bold, unfiltered voices are helping a generation feel seen and showing them that how to be more confident can start with a swipe of colour, or a spritz of something unexpected and the courage to be a little different.
Men: The digital confidence
For many men, confidence isn’t always instinctive, it’s influenced. One in six men (15%) say they feel more comfortable expressing themselves when brands celebrate individuality. Meanwhile, 13% point to social platforms and another 13% see celebrities and influencers as key sources of permission to be authentic. In a culture still unlearning toxic masculinity, these digital cues matter.
Whether it’s Harry Styles redefining male fashion norms by wearing more feminine pearl necklaces, or male content creators normalising vulnerability and creativity, media representation is helping to expand the idea of what it means to “be a man”.
In this new era, learning how to be comfortable in your own skin often begins, not with bravado, but with visibility, support and the freedom to just be real.
Final spritz: Our take on the confidence revolution
It’s clear that people are ready to show up as their full, unapologetic selves and Perfect Nonsense is here to match that energy. Inspired by the quirks, contradictions and chaotic joy of being yourself, this range celebrates confidence as a layered journey – one shaped by fragrance, fashion, friendship and freedom of expression. It was designed to empower individuality and remind us that being ‘too much’ is often just being enough.
Crafted over two years, the collection is our most daring yet. “Perfect Nonsense is set to disrupt the mass fragrance market,” says Victor Costa, Head of Fragrance Brands at Avon. “There’s a scent for everyone – but especially for those craving something distinctive.”
The best ways to increase confidence
Building confidence doesn’t happen all at once, it’s a series of bold little choices. A swipe of lipstick. A scent that doesn’t smell like anyone else. Why not start with:
• Saying yes to the weird. Try the hobby, wear the print, dance to the strange song.
• Surrounding yourself with people who celebrate you, not just tolerate you.
• Set tiny, achievable goals and follow through, even if it’s just speaking up in a meeting. Consistency builds trust in yourself.
• Unfollowing or limiting exposure to anything that triggers self-doubt. Focus on your own progress, not perfection.
Confidence isn’t about being loud, it’s about being true and knowing you can handle whatever happens next. Remember: building self-confidence starts with one bold step, however small.
Ready to own your nonsense? Our new fragrances are waiting…
• Peppery Peaches – Juicy and fiery, a sensory explosion in a bottle. Try Peppery Peaches →
• Choco Tuberose – Floral meets dessert in a delightfully dreamy way. Try Choco Tuberose →
• Bamboozie Cocktail – A citrusy, earthy riot of a scent that bamboozles the senses. Try Bamboozie Cocktail →
Shop the complete Perfect Nonsense range now, available via Avon Representatives, Avon online and Amazon.