When I think about beauty of the 90sA few things popped into my head. Blue eyeshadow, bold lip liner and glitter nails are some of the standout trends I always wear. However, as a beauty editor obsessed with perfume, I often think about perfume that I will aim for when I grow up.
If I am total Honestly, I use Impulse body spray all the time, but on the rare occasion that my mom lets me wear a more “adult” smelling perfume, I definitely have my favorite perfume. my favorite (Clinique’s Happy is my choice).
You may not know it, but the 90s were truly a pivotal time for perfume. From Calvin Klein’s CK One (one of the first perfumes to be marketed as a unisex scent), to Thierry Mugler’s powerful Angel fragrance, it’s clear that we’re all experimenting more. a little bit.
So much so that many of these perfumes have become iconic. In fact, they’re so iconic that you can still get your hands on them to this day. Because of this, I thought it was only right that I take a trip down memory lane and round up some of the best 90s perfumes that I’ll be absolutely wearing in 2024. Keep scrolling and get ready to feel all the nostalgia…
The best ’90s perfumes you can (and should) still wear in 2024
1. Calvin Klein CK One
Calvin Klein
CK One Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Green tea, bergamot, rose, violet, musk and amber
What an icon. I remember having one of these frosted bottles on my dressing table when I was in school and thinking I was cool. The thing is, this ’90s fragrance is just that. Cool. It was first launched in 1994 and as mentioned above, it was one of the first perfumes to be marketed as a unisex scent. The crisp, fresh citrus scent still feels as refreshing today, and with a warm base of amber and musk, this fragrance still has a lot of appeal.
2. Angel Thierry Mugler
smuggler
Angel perfume
Key notes: Bergamot, red fruits, honey, caramel, praline, vanilla and patchouli
Gourmand perfume lovers, rejoice. Angel by Mugler may have become iconic in the ’90s, but it’s still just as popular today. Combining powerful patchouli with sweet honey, caramel and vanilla, this fragrance is sure to make an impression. It’s sexy, passionate and deliciously intense.
3. Jean Paul Gaultier Le Classique
Jean Paul Gaultier
Le Classique Eau De Toilette
Key notes: Bergamot, rose, pear, anise, orange blossom, tuberose, ylang ylang, orchid, plum, iris, sandalwood, cinnamon, musk and amber.
Created in 1993, I’m sure we’ve all tried Jean Paul Gaultier perfumes at one time or another. Sure, the bottle is pretty enough for display, but the scent itself is truly captivating. It opens with notes of rose and iris, but as it lingers on the skin, warm amber and musk take center stage.
4. Clinique Happiness
clinic
Happy™ Perfume Spray
Key notes: Ruby red grapefruit, bergamot, Hawaiian wedding flower and spring mimosa
I think this was one of the first perfumes I owned. It’s a super clean, fresh, fruity scent that really helps improve your mood (hence the name). I can’t imagine anyone not liking this scent, which is probably why it remains such a popular choice today.
5. Dior Sand Dunes
Dior
Dune Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Brazilian rosewood, citrus, bergamot, peony, tuberose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, amber, sandalwood, oakmoss, vanilla, patchouli and musk
This ocean scent is perfect for summer. It was first launched in 1991, but most of the notes can be found in today’s most popular fragrances. Designed to “capture the landscape where the sky meets the sea”, this perfume is fresh yet warm, with citrusy bergamot, sweet peony, smooth jasmine and sensual amber.
6. Gucci fever
Gucci
Rushed to find her Eau de Toilette
Key notes: Bergamot, peony, gardenia, violet, vanilla, jasmine and patchouli
Launched in 1999, Gucci Rush became a hit thanks to its unique design (yes, that rectangular To be actual perfume bottle). The scent is also cool, with a passionate fruity and sensual floral scent that awakens the senses.
7. Tommy Hilfiger Tommy Girl
Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy girl
Key notes: Mint, bergamot, jasmine, rose, sandalwood, amber and musk
Looking for a classic 90s perfume for everyday use? Let me introduce you to Tommy Hilfiger’s Tommy Girl. This youthful fragrance contains fresh mint and bergamot along with popular floral notes such as jasmine and rose. It’s one of those scents that can be worn for every occasion and every season.
8. Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers
Elizabeth Arden
Sunflower Eau De Toilette Spray
Key notes: Melon, peach, jasmine, tea rose, musk and sandalwood
If you like fruity scents then you’ll want to know about Elizabeth Arden’s Sunflowers perfume. It was first released in 1993 and there’s something about the packaging that makes me so nostalgic. Melon and peach notes explode on the skin, while musk and sandalwood linger for a warm finish.
9. Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey
Issey Miyake
L’eau D’issey Eau De Parfum
Key notes: Lotus, freesia, rose, tuberose, osmanthus, sandalwood, cedarwood and ambrette
I just discovered Issey Miyake perfume so I was surprised to learn that L’eau D’issey was actually released in 1992. To me, this is a super modern scent thanks to the fresh scent of freesia , cedar and lotus. Even the sleek bottle has a modern touch.
10. Versace red jeans
Versace
Eau De Toilette red jeans
Key notes: Peach, apricot, blackcurrant, violet, peony, jasmine, gardenia, sandalwood, cashmere wood, musk and vanilla
When I told my colleagues that I was working on a piece about ’90s perfume, they all asked if I would include Versace’s Red Jeans. I think we’ve all had a bottle of this at one time or another (I probably still have the red tin somewhere at home). Like many scents of the ’90s, the uplifting fragrance is packed with fresh fruity notes like peach, apricot and blackcurrant. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of floral notes too, along with sandalwood, cashmere and musk for a creamy feel.
11. Dior J’adore
Dior
J’adore Eau De Parfum spray perfume
Key notes: Ylang-ylang, Damascus rose, Indian jasmine sambac and Indian lily
I remember sneaking into my mom’s bathroom and spitting out some of this perfume before going to school. To me, there is nothing as luxurious as Dior’s J’adore perfume, which is why it remains a classic to this day. The sensual floral scent is truly timeless.
12. Seductive Chanel
Chanel
Allure Eau De Parfum Spray
Key notes: Tangerine, rose, vanilla and amber
Speaking of luxury, this floral scent from Chanel is sure to make you compliment it. It has everything you could want, from fresh fruity notes to smooth floral notes and sensual vanilla notes. It may have been created in the 90s, but it’s still just as captivating today.
