What's That Smell? Even More '90s Perfumes We Love!

By
Marianne Mychaskiw
Marianne Mychaskiw
Marianne Mychaskiw
Marianne Mychaskiw is a New York-based freelance writer and editor who covers everything from beauty and style, to wellness and entertainment.
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Updated on April 15, 2024 @ 10:44PM
A body shaped bottle of Jean Paul Gaultier Classique
Photo:

Courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier

Something still smells like Teen Spirit in here.

Who could forget classic '90s perfumes like the original Gucci Rush, Clinique Happy, or Bath and Body Works' impressive fragrance lineup?

Originally, we were drawn to Gucci Rush for its sultry blend of peach, vanilla, and patchouli. Clinique's Happy was introduced to us in free-with-purchase sample bottles that convinced us to save our allowance for the full-size bottle. Finally, the extensive library of scents at Bath and Body Works could match our temper more accurately than a color-changing mood ring.

However, the options don't stop there! There are more than 20 fragrances from the '90s that'll ignite nostalgia and make you smell amazing.

Keep reading to learn our favorites.

The Best '90s Perfumes to Add to Your Fragrance Cabinet

01 of 24

Clinique Happy

A bottle of Clinique Happy fragrance

Courtesy of Clinique

In 1995, about 15 years before Pharrell's "Happy" hit the airwaves, Clinique's Happy fragrance arrived on store shelves. The energetic mandarin, grapefruit, lily, and freesia notes acted as an instant pick-me-up — which was much-needed after our first viewing of Titanic.

02 of 24

Gucci Rush

A red package of Gucci Rush fragrance

Courtesy of Gucci

Seriously, could this bottle get any cooler? Gucci Rush was housed in a box-shaped flacon and was streamlined enough to fit in the pocket of our Lisa Frank Trapper Keeper. Plus, we just couldn't resist the sexy gardenia, freesia, and vanilla blend.

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03 of 24

Bath and Body Works Fragrance Mists

Three bottles of Bath and Body Works Fragrance Mists in Sheer Freesia, Cucumber Melon, and Juniper Breeze
Three bottles of Bath and Body Works Fragrance Mists in Sheer Freesia, Cucumber Melon, and Juniper Breeze.

Courtesy of Bath and Body Works

While a few Bath and Body Works spritzers from the '90s have passed on to the great fragrance beyond (R.I.P. Plumeria and Sun-Ripened Raspberry!), staples like Cucumber Melon are still available today.

04 of 24

The Spice Girls Impulse Body Spray

A bottle of The Spice Girls Impulse Body Spray

Courtesy of Impulse

It didn't matter which of the fab five you identified with most; this aptly spicy blend of pink pepper, tangerine, and vanilla flattered elegant Posh, adventurous Scary, and innocent Baby types alike.

05 of 24

Demeter Dirt

A bottle of Demeter Dirt fragrance

Courtesy of Demeter

This no-nonsense fragrance smells exactly like wet soil after the rain and serves as the perfect grunge-inspired touch to an oversized flannel.

06 of 24

Coty Vanilla Fields

A clear bottle of Vanilla Fields perfume

Courtesy of Coty

When we felt like classing it up, we'd reach for Coty's Vanilla Fields, which tempered the dominant vanilla note with musk, amber, and a slight jasmine twist.

07 of 24

Coty Exclamation

A black and white bottle of Coty Exclamation fragrance

Courtesy of Coty

Although Coty launched Exclamation in 1988, the gourmand mixture of vanilla, peach, and apricot proved to be a hit among '90s babies all the same.

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08 of 24

Love's Baby Soft

A pink bottle of Loves Baby Soft

Courtesy of Love's

Another oldie but goodie: Love's Baby Soft. The fragrance launched in 1974 and continued to be a staple for decades, thanks to its light-as-air blend of lavender, rose, and vanilla against a musk base.

09 of 24

Dune by Christian Dior

A bottle of Christian Dior Dune

Courtesy of Christian Dior

Before Dior launched J'Adore in 1999, the summery amber, peony, and sandalwood notes in Dune earned the fragrance a permanent spot on our vanities during the earlier part of the decade.

10 of 24

Lancôme POÊME

A bottle of Lancôme Poeme fragrance

Courtesy of Lancôme

Our mothers were fans of this Lancôme POÊME fragrance. It combined the scents of the Blue Himalayan Poppy flower, the Desert Datura flower, and vanilla.

11 of 24

The Body Shop White Musk

A bottle of The Body Shop White Musk fragrance
A bottle of The Body Shop White Musk fragrance. Courtesy

Next to the iconic spritzers by Gap and Bath and Body Works, The Body Shop's White Musk was a sure staple among '90s mall mavens. We loved its heady musk elements, which were combined with floral notes like jasmine, lily, iris, and rose.

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12 of 24

Davidoff Cool Water for Women

A bottle of Davidoff Cool Water for Women fragrance

Courtesy of Davidoff

This aquatic blend launched back in '96 and is as refreshing as a dip in the pool with its notes of pineapple, lotus, and ocean air.

13 of 24

Juice Bar Fragrances

Two pink bottles of Juice Bar Fragrance

Courtesy of Juice Bar

Our favorite candies took on fragrance form with Juice Bar's sugary scents-namely the Gummi Bear and Cotton Candy versions, which made regular rotations in our Caboodles.

14 of 24

Calvin Klein Ck One

A creme colored bottle of ck one fragrance

Courtesy of Calvin Klein

It's impossible to talk about '90s fragrances without mentioning this unisex staple, which features notes of bergamot, violet, nutmeg, and musk. If it was good enough for Kate Moss, it's good enough for us.

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15 of 24

Victoria's Secret Pear Glace

A green and floral bottle of Victoria's Secret Pear Glace

Courtesy of Victoria's Secret

A predecessor to the now-infamous Love Spell scent, Pear Glace proved to be just as iconic, blending fruity notes like sugared pear and casaba melon.

16 of 24

Tommy Girl

A bottle of Tommy Girl fragrance

Courtesy of Tommy Hilfiger

A must-have spritzer for cool girls everywhere, Tommy Girl mixes notes of lemon, honeysuckle, and lily with a heady sandalwood base.

17 of 24

Curve by Liz Claiborne

A lavender bottle of Curve by Liz Claiborne fragrance

Courtesy of Liz Claiborne

We've been spraying on Curve since '96 and haven't looked back! The floral mix of peony, yellow freesia, and lily of the valley is so sparkling it almost challenges our roll-on body glitter.

18 of 24

Candie's For Her by Liz Claiborne

An orange bottle of Candie's For Her fragrance

Courtesy of Liz Claiborne

This late '90s gem Candie's For Her fragrance has us loving the sexy mix of amber, mandarin, and peach. This was definitely the scent all the cool girls were wearing in high school.

19 of 24

Angel by Thierry Mugler

A star shaped bottle of Angel by Thierry Mugler fragrance

Courtesy of Thierry Mugler

Thierry Mugler's Angel is one of those scents you can call out just by catching a passing whiff, thanks to its prominent gourmand notes like honey, vanilla, caramel, and chocolate.

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20 of 24

Calgon Turquoise Seas

A bottle of Calgon Turquoise Seas fragrance

Courtesy of Calgon Turquoise

Just when we thought this iconic ocean scent was no more, Calgon said "As if!" and relaunched it, along with a hydrating body cream to boot!

21 of 24

Beverly Hills 90210

A bottle of Beverly Hills 90210 fragrance
A bottle of Beverly Hills 90210 fragrance. Courtesy

The only thing that was on our wrists more often than a lime green scrunchie? The 90210 fragrance, of course! The mix of white flowers and green apples was seductive enough to catch the attention of Brandon Walsh (Jason Priestley) and flattered both confident Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth) and shy Donna Martin (Tori Spelling) types alike.

22 of 24

Gap Heaven, Grass, and Dream

Three bottles of Gap body sprays

Courtesy of Gap

The holy trinity of throwback scents: Gap Heaven, Grass, and Dream — which our cool older sisters wore. We favored the airy elements in Heaven and Dream.

23 of 24

Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers

A yellow bottle of Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers fragrance

Courtesy of Elizabeth Arden

Confession time: We've taken this energetic floral from Elizabeth Arden from our mother's vanities more often than she realized. After all, it was the perfect complement to the printed sunflower dress we'd pair with combat boots!

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24 of 24

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique

A body shaped bottle of Jean Paul Gaultier Classique

Courtesy of Jean Paul Gaultier

Weeks of saving our allowance finally paid off when Jean Paul Gaultier's Classique officially became our first "big girl" fragrance. We loved its notes of sweet orange blossom, ginger, and vanilla scent.