Our 24 Favorite '90s Fragrances

Something still smells like Teen Spirit in here... After our very first roundup of iconic '90s scents, we realized that a few staples were left out. Who could forget the original Gucci Rush, Clinique Happy, or Bath and Body Works' impressive fragrance lineup? Originally, we were drawn to Gucci Rush by its uncanny resemblance to those orange Nickelodeon VHS tapes, but the sultry blend of peach, vanilla, and patchouli tapped into our teenage desire to live a little more like Cher Horowitz. Clinique's Happy was introduced to us in a miniature form—the tiny bottles included in the gifts with purchase finally convinced us to save our allowance for the full-size bottle, and the extensive library of scents offered up at Bath and Body Works could match our temper more accurately than a color-changing mood ring. But the options don't stop there! We added even more '90s fragrances to our growing lineup of perfumes that adorned our vanity back in the day.

Clinique Happy

About 15 years before Pharrell's "Happy" hit the airwaves (We were still listening to Hanson back then...), Clinique's Happy fragrance ($67; clinique.com) arrived on store shelves in '97. 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.

Gucci Rush

Seriously, could this bottle get any cooler? Gucci Rush ($84; sephora.com) 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.

Bath and Body Works Fragrance Mists in Sheer Freesia, Cucumber Melon, and Juniper Breeze

While a few of 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, Juniper Breeze, and Sheer Freesia ($16; bathandbodyworks.com) remain classic fragrances to this day. Another honorable mention: Bath and Body Works' Art Stuff line, which included no shortage of body glitter, and fun, flirty scents like Sassy Starberry, Electric Apple, Coco Crush, and more.

The Spice Girls Impulse Body Spray

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.

Demeter Dirt

This no-nonsense fragrance ($36; demeterfragrance.com) smells exactly like wet soil after the rain and serves as the perfect grunge-inspired touch to an oversized flannel.

Vanilla Fields

When we felt like classing it up, we'd reach for Coty's Vanilla Fields ($17; fragrancex.com) which tempered the dominant vanilla note with musk, amber, and a slight jasmine twist.

Exclamation

Although Coty launched Exclamation ($18; amazon.com) in 1988, the gourmand mixture of vanilla, peach, and apricot proved to be a hit among '90s babies all the same.

Love's Baby Soft

Another oldie but goodie: Love's Baby Soft ($20; amazon.com) which launched back 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.

Dune by Christian Dior

Before Dior launched J'Adore in 1999, the summery amber, peony, and sandalwood notes in Dune ($125; dior.com) earned the fragrance a permanent spot on our vanities during the earlier part of the decade.

Lancôme POÊME

Our mothers were fans of this Lancôme POÊME fragrance ($102; amazon.com) which combined the scents of the Blue Himalayan Poppy flower, the Desert Datura flower and vanilla.

The Body Shop White Musk

Next to the iconic spritzers by Gap and Bath and Body Works, The Body Shop's White Musk ($28; thebodyshop.com) was a sure staple among '90s mall mavens for its heady musk elements, which were combined with floral notes like jasmine, lily, iris, and rose.

Davidoff Cool Water for Women

This aquatic blend ($39; amazon.com) launched back in '96, and is as refreshing as a dip in the pool with its notes of pineapple, lotus, and ocean air.

Juice Bar Fragrances

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.

ck one

It's impossible to talk about '90s fragrances without mentioning this unisex staple ($68; sephora.com), which features one-size-fits-all notes of bergamot, violet, nutmeg, and musk. If it was good enough for Kate Moss, it's good enough for us.

Victoria's Secret Pear Glace

A predecessor to the now-infamous Love Spell scent, Pear Glace ($12; victoriassecret.com) proved to be just as iconic, blending fruity notes like sugared pear and casaba melon.

Tommy Girl

A must-have spritzer for cool girls everywhere, Tommy Girl ($52; tommy.com) mixes notes of lemon, honeysuckle, and lily with a heady sandalwood base.

Curve by Liz Claiborne

We've been spraying on Curve ($21; amazon.com) 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.

Candie's For Her

This late '90s gem Candie's For Her fragrance ($25; walmart.com) has us loving the sexy mix of amber, mandarin, and peach. This was definitely the scent all the cool girls were wearing in highschool.

Angel by Thierry Mugler

Thierry Mugler's Angel ($180; sephora.com) 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.

Calgon Turquoise Seas

Just when we thought this iconic ocean scent was no more, Calgon ($26; amazon.com) said "As if!" and relaunched it, along with a hydrating body cream to boot!

Beverly Hills 90210

The only thing that was on our wrists more often than a lime green scrunchie? The 90210 fragrance ($5; fragrancex.com), of course! The mix of white flowers and green apple was seductive enough to catch the attention of Brandon Walsh, and flattered both confident Kelly Taylor and shy Donna Martin types alike.

Gap Heaven, Grass, and Dream

The holy trinity of throwback scents, Gap Heaven ($ 64; amazon.com) Grass ($45, amazon.com), and Dream ($47, amazon.com) was worn by our cool older sisters, while we favored the airy elements in Heaven and Dream.

Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers

Confession time: We've taken this energetic floral from Elizabeth Arden ($40; elizabetharden.com) 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!

Jean Paul Gaultier Classique

Weeks of saving up our allowance finally paid off when Jean Paul Gaultier's Classique ($199; macys.com) officially became our first "big girl" fragrance with its sweet orange blossom, ginger, and vanilla scent.

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