The 9 Most Popular Perfumes of the 80s + Original Video Ads

This publication is part of our series of articles on the history of perfume during the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Following our post on the most popular 70s perfumes, we’re now continue explore the iconic masterpieces of the 80s.The 80s started off tame after the maximalist tendencies of the 70s, but soon bold and daring designs came back into the market as people embraced a more carefree living. Several fragrances of the decade captured its melodramatic brashness. There was a demand for long-lasting perfumes with rich, heavy accords that could easily take over a room.There is no doubt that the 80s were a golden age for the fragrance market. With notable designer brands launching some of their most iconic perfumes, many of which are available to this day, the decade’s contribution to mainstream perfumery is impressive. Let’s celebrate the glory and legacy of the 80s by recapitulating some of its most popular and best-selling fragrances.For every scent, we’ve also fortunately found the original video ad and embedded to this post!

1. Giorgio Beverly Hills (1981)

Introduced at the turn of the decade, Giorgio Beverly Hills remained a signature perfume for many throughout the 80s. Watch the original ad below, and you understand why this fragrance truly represents a luxury lifestyle.

The elegant yellow-striped bottle is iconic and reminiscent of sun rays. Highly versatile, this cheerful floral fragrance made quite a splash. The opening was sweet, with peach, orange blossom, and apricot creating a honeyed accord, but the heart was inarguably sensual. Creamy tuberose, luminous ylang-ylang, exotic jasmine, fresh orchid, and elegant rose weaved a stunning floral bloom, symbolic of luxury.

2. Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche (1982)

While the 70s saw men sticking to clean, aftershave-inspired perfumes, the 80s had them experimenting. Aromatic-Fougere Drakkar Noir became a global sensation soon after its release.

While the scent is soft and sweet with herbal undertones initially, the fragrance soon dons a darker robe, making it ideal for the mysterious and brooding men who can command an entire room with just a look. Drakkar Noir opens with comforting lavender, fresh mint, and bright bergamot. The fragrance then evolves into a deliciously rich dry-down, with jasmine, sandalwood, leather, resin, and moss becoming more prominent.

3. Paris by Yves Saint Laurent (1983)

Yves Saint Laurent paid homage to one of his favorite cities in the world with this vintage woody-floral concoction. As expected, the commercial ad of the 80s was recorded in Paris.

Sophisticated but bold and elegant but flamboyant, this Parisian blend celebrated gorgeous pink roses, candied violets, and creamy mimosas like no other. Sparkling bergamot at the top paves the way for the floral notes to establish their dominance. At the base, sandalwood, geranium, and musky amber come together to create a spicy and woody accord that is unmistakably sultry. This stunning feminine fragrance is accessible even today.Drakkar Noir, Beverly Hills and Paris, were the together the most popular early 80s fragrance, until Coco by Chanel took the spotlight.

4. Coco by Chanel (1984)

Taking inspiration from the warm and Coco is yet another 80s classic that reigns supreme even today! Watch the classic ad from the 80s with Ines de la Fressange as the face of Coco: heavy oriental fragrances of the 70s, like Cinnabar and Opium, Coco is a remarkable fragrance that captures many thrilling facets of Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel’s personality, including her love for baroque. The gorgeous blend incorporates mandarin, jasmine, and orange blossom for a delightful airiness that balances the spicy accord of amber, sandalwood, cloves, and coriander. The base combines sweet rose with cool leather and creamy sandalwood.

5. Beautiful by Estee Lauder (1985)

This timeless floral fragrance from Estee Lauder makes one feminine and put-together regardless of the occasion. A masterful romantic blend, it celebrates the beauty of an extravagant bouquet comprising more than a thousand flowers. With sparkling citruses at the top and warm, woody accords at the base, this floral avalanche is sweet and fresh with dark undertones. The advertising campaign for Beautiful focused on elegance and sophistication, which immediately appealed to women looking for striking daytime scents.

6. Obsession by Calvin Klein (1985)

Obsession by Calvin Klein continues to be a go-to classic for every vintage perfume enthusiast. The bottle captures the moody, minimalist style of the early 80s, but the perfume itself is as bold as it gets.

Glamorous, daring, and sensual, this amber spicy perfume was one of the brand’s biggest hits at the time and earned a scandalous reputation due to its provocative advertising lead by Robert R. Taylor. The iconic ad known as “Between love and madness lies obsession,” featuring a topless Kate Moss. What added to the provocation is that she was in fact still a teenager at that time.

With rich spices and exotic oriental accords, Obsession can be both comforting and intensely seductive. Warm amber, clean musk, and smoky incense are juxtaposed against fruity florals and sweet vanilla.

7. Poison by Dior (1985)

Dior capitalized on its success in the 70s and introduced one of its most iconic perfumes in 1985 – Poison.Capturing the aura of the sensual, enigmatic, and confident woman, the fragrance was a force to be reckoned with. Mesmerizing, intoxicating, and quite scandalous for its times, the fruity-floral concoction remained a nighttime staple throughout the 80s and beyond. With luscious plum at the core, the fragrance is pervaded by the sweetness of mixed berries and creamy white florals like tuberose and jasmine. The base is warm and honeyed, with incense, cinnamon, amber, heliotrope, cedar, and vanilla.Check out this old-school Dior Poison ad from the 80s:

8. Samsara by Guerlain (1989)

Samsara was Guerlain’s iconic take on the heavy orientals of the 80s with one of the most beautiful ads of the 80s:Rich, warm, and elegant, the fragrance blends intoxicating jasmine with sweet and creamy sandalwood for a timeless aura. One of the primary reasons why Samsara immediately made an impression upon launch was that it marked Guerlain’s departure from its signature formula.With notes of coconut, almond and even burned rubber, the avant-garde perfume was quite daring and sensual. The opening was fresh and luminous with bergamot, lemon, ylang-ylang, and peach, while the heart was a beautiful floral wreath made of exotic jasmine, woodsy iris, sweet narcissus, powdery violet, and delicate rose. The base had a touch of amber, with vanilla, musk, and tonka bean adding irresistible depth.

9. Love’s Baby Soft by Dana (1974)

Launched in the 1970s, Love’s Baby Soft did not become a classic until the 80s rolled around. The other fragrances above, this perfume may be regarded as the biggest surprise of the 80s, given its much smaller marketing budget.Due to a controversial ad campaign, the perfume managed to attract the young crowd in the 80s because of its mass-pleasing scent. A vanillic powdery floral, it is inoffensive and sweet, perfect for daytime wear. The bullet-shaped pink bottle is iconic in its own right.Which is your favourite 80s classic?