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What Scents Remind You of the ’90s?

March 6th, 2013 by Karen 73 Comments

What scents remind you of the '90s?

I’ve been riding a major wave of ’90s fragrance nostalgia as of late, mostly because of the new-ish retro Clairol Herbal Essences Shine Collection Shampoo and Conditioner ($4.50 each).

Remember those?! Herbal Essences recently relaunched them and another old-school ’90s Herbal Essences Line, the Smooth Collection.

Smoooooth.

My college roommates and I always stocked our showers with Herbal Essence. Their scents remind me of waking up just before class, hopping in the shower, and sitting on the bus with wet hair…

Nivea lotion is another scent that reminds me of the ’90s and my college years. When I had a little extra pocket change, it was my big body care indulgence. So, to go with the retro Herbal Essences, I’ve been using the new Nivea Smooth Sensation Lotion ($6.99).

It absorbs quickly, without leaving my skin feeling greasy, and has that classic Nivea scent. 🙂

What scents remind you of the ’90s?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

What Scents Remind You of the ’90s? / Originally published March 6th, 2013

There are 73 comments on this post. Leave yours.

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Comments

  1. MiMi says

    March 6th, 2013 at 9:54 am

    Navy and Charlie!

    Reply
    • Karen says

      March 6th, 2013 at 9:57 am

      Hi Mimi,

      Navy is one of my ’90s scents, too. It’s more of an early ’90s/high school fragrance for me. 🙂 I wore it all the time! I think there’s still a bottle sitting in my parents’ bathroom, LOL!

      Reply
    • Maria says

      March 6th, 2013 at 12:24 pm

      OMG, I was wondering if anyone would say Charlie! I couldn’t remember if it was a 90s hit or 80s.

      Reply
  2. Rebecca says

    March 6th, 2013 at 10:03 am

    Everyone is my high school (1990-94) wore either Liz Claiborne or Calvine Klein Eternity (or, more likely, the Designer Imposters Eternity, which was SO noxious). For me, the 90s smell like Obsession and BBW PearBerry and Salon Selectives Shampoo & Conditioner.

    Reply
    • Elizabeth says

      March 7th, 2013 at 10:24 pm

      This made me think of the scene from Clueless:

      Amber – Hello?? Was I the only one listening? I thought it reeked!
      Cher – I believe that was your Designer Imposters perfume.
      🙂

      Reply
  3. Chris25 says

    March 6th, 2013 at 10:03 am

    Bonne Bell had these mini perfumes back in 1998. I was obsessed with collecting them: http://thatleanne.blogspot.com/2011/06/bottled-emotion-nail-art-flying-kites.html

    I also loved the smell of L.A Looks hair gel. I used the blue one.

    Reply
  4. Georgina says

    March 6th, 2013 at 10:05 am

    It HAS to be CK One! Every time! Whenever I smell it, I’m immediately transported back to the 90s when Nirvana’s “Nevermind” was on stereos EVERYWHERE and I was a size 4! Happy days

    Reply
    • Kristen @ Glambunctious says

      March 10th, 2013 at 3:03 pm

      YES! Ditto on everything you said! I also think of GAP’s fragrance Heaven (in a metal can!) and Tommy Girl.

      Reply
  5. Jennifer says

    March 6th, 2013 at 10:18 am

    Jean Nate! OMG… Flashback!

    Reply
  6. Jennifer Louise says

    March 6th, 2013 at 10:33 am

    The kids L’Oreal Cherry and Almond shampoo smell reminds me of my childhood- don’t know if it is just an English thing, but all of my friends love this scent!
    Jennifer xx
    asprinklingofeuphoria.blogspot.co.uk

    Reply
  7. Johanna says

    March 6th, 2013 at 10:36 am

    Salon Selectives, Bonnie Bell Skin Perfume, CK One

    Reply
  8. rose says

    March 6th, 2013 at 10:48 am

    Ditto on Herbal Essences. I’d also add CK One, Fahrenheit 451, Obsession

    Reply
  9. Jill says

    March 6th, 2013 at 10:57 am

    Clinique Happy – reminds me of my best friend from middle school. And any of the old Bath and Body works scents, especially Pearberry and Plumeria.

    Reply
  10. Katherine G says

    March 6th, 2013 at 11:05 am

    Hmmmm…I was a kid in the 90’s so I would say Herbal Essences in the rose scented Smooth collection, and Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea was a fave of mine and many classmates in the late 90’s/early 2000’s, when we were all in high school. Chanel No. 5 is a classic that reminds me of my grandmother – she wore that and Shalimar.

    Reply
  11. Deb says

    March 6th, 2013 at 11:08 am

    Fruit Punch Lipsmackers, because I went through tube after tube right until college! Also, Vanilla Fields. I was so excited when I got it for Christmas as it was my first real perfume.

    Reply
    • Kalli says

      March 6th, 2013 at 12:42 pm

      That was my first real perfume too! I also got it for Christmas. I remember asking my mom for it.
      Kalli recently posted … BzzAgent Review: Garnier Fructis Hydra Recharge & Triple Nutrition Miracle Dry Oil Part I

      Reply
  12. Lisa says

    March 6th, 2013 at 11:08 am

    CK One, for sure. Clinique Happy screams 1999 for me. Also, so many guys were wearing Joop. My boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, teachers, stepdad…it was a very confusing time for my olfactory system.

    Reply
  13. KK says

    March 6th, 2013 at 11:10 am

    Gap Dream!

    Reply
    • Jessica says

      March 6th, 2013 at 12:03 pm

      I second Gap Dream!!!! Still love to wear it actually. Also any of the older BBW scents (pear berry, country apple, plumeria, flowering herbs, juniper breeze….

      Reply
  14. Becca @ The Beauty Sample says

    March 6th, 2013 at 11:15 am

    Definitely Herbal Essences, Bath & Body Works body sprays (and Victoria’s Secret body sprays), Cool Water for Men, CK One…
    Becca @ The Beauty Sample recently posted … The Sample: Pixi Fairy Light Solo Eye Shadows in French Lace, Nude Nouveaux, Boho Bronze and Warm Autumn Review & Swatches

    Reply
  15. Camille Domingo says

    March 6th, 2013 at 11:47 am

    the 90’s were fun. ck ONE and “sunflowers” by elizabeth arden were the scents i LOVED.

    Reply
  16. Bristol says

    March 6th, 2013 at 11:52 am

    ckone for sure! And Jean Paul Gautier.

    Reply
  17. Kristi says

    March 6th, 2013 at 11:53 am

    I wore Prescriptives Color Sense White like it was going out of style. I loved it!!

    http://www.perfumenetwork.com/women-s-fragrances-p-prescriptives-color-sense-white-women-by-prescriptives.html

    I was also a Pearberry fan, and Victoria’s Secret Vanilla Lace. And Bath and Body Works Gingham!!

    Reply
  18. Alissa Cady says

    March 6th, 2013 at 12:01 pm

    I definitely agree with the Herbal Essences for a 90s reminder. I also loved the Naturistics Strawberry lipgloss in a pot. I used to practically eat that stuff. I also hosed myself down with Tommy Girl and Iced Pineapple from Bath and Body works lol

    Reply
  19. Diana says

    March 6th, 2013 at 12:21 pm

    Charlie White, CK One, and some perfumes by Benetton.

    Reply
  20. Maria says

    March 6th, 2013 at 12:28 pm

    Design and White Diamonds totally remind me of working at the EL counter in 1995. We had this AMAZING male fragrance model who always came in with Gendarme – I will never forget that smell. It’s still available on line but I’ll only buy it if I can find that eye-candy to go with it!!!

    Reply
  21. Kiss & Make-up says

    March 6th, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    Hmm there’s not a particular scent that reminds me of the nineties, really… I only remember visual thing 🙂
    Kiss & Make-up recently posted … Nail polish spotlight: 5 good reasons to try a Dior Vernis nail lacquer

    Reply
  22. Chelsea says

    March 6th, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    I’m so happy that the old Herbal Essences formulas are back, I’m not a fan at all of the P&G formulas.

    Reply
  23. Kelly says

    March 6th, 2013 at 2:06 pm

    Sunflowers perfume and Victorias Secret pear lotion and spray.

    Reply
  24. Casey says

    March 6th, 2013 at 2:13 pm

    Sun Ripened Raspberry from Bath and Body Works.

    Reply
  25. Kim says

    March 6th, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    Sunflowers by Elizabeth Arden, Calyx by Prescriptives and the individual perfume oils at Body Shop.

    Reply
  26. Isolde says

    March 6th, 2013 at 2:23 pm

    Ah, it’s a bit older than that, but when I was a kid in the 80s, my dad used Herbal Essences. Back then it was green with a lady with flowing hair on the bottle. It wasn’t until those orgasm ads that I saw Herbal Essences in a different light and thought my dad was a bit funny for using that shampoo! Does bring up fond memories for me!
    Isolde recently posted … Pantone colour of the year: Emerald Shoes

    Reply
  27. Jennifer L says

    March 6th, 2013 at 3:30 pm

    herbal essences and CK one!

    Reply
  28. Shelly says

    March 6th, 2013 at 3:36 pm

    My best friend used Rave hairspray for her curled and way up in the air bangs LOL

    Reply
  29. Jasmine says

    March 6th, 2013 at 4:15 pm

    L’Oreal Kids shampoo!
    Yeah I’m a 90s kid. <3
    Jasmine recently posted … Addicting Tags!

    Reply
  30. Leah @ Mile High Beauty Blog says

    March 6th, 2013 at 4:38 pm

    Anything from Bath & Body Works, but especially Sun Ripened Raspberry and Juniper Breeze.
    Leah @ Mile High Beauty Blog recently posted … A “Small” Announcement

    Reply
  31. Kate Williamson says

    March 6th, 2013 at 4:55 pm

    There was a Bare Escentuals perfume that I loved called Showers. I am not sure if they even do scented stuff anymore, but I loved how clean it smelled.

    Reply
  32. Ondina says

    March 6th, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    My list includes Gap Dream, original BBW Freesia, VS Halo, Jhirmack haircare, and Aussie 3 minute miracle or scrunch spray.

    Reply
  33. Paige says

    March 6th, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    I agree with a few of the other commenters–Clinique Happy definitely brings me back to the ’90s! But my I rocked Tommy Girl in middle school. In fact, I still have this enormous (and hideous) Tommy Hilfiger duffle bag that came with a Tommy Girl gift set I got one year for Chrismas!

    Reply
  34. Katherine says

    March 6th, 2013 at 5:25 pm

    Gap Heaven, CK one, tommy girl, BBw cucumber melon and gardenia, Paloma Picasso in the early 90s, my moms Chanel no 5 for special occasions,, and patchouli oil in my college hippie days :).

    Reply
  35. Sharon J. Gilman says

    March 6th, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    Holy cow, this post has been a blast from the past! oh my gosh, I used to LOVE LOVE Herbal Esences shampoo. Another 90s scent was Polo cologne, all the guys at my school used to wear that. CK1 was really popular, too.
    Sharon J. Gilman recently posted … The safe way to double your money is to fold it over and put it in your pocket ~Frank Hubbard

    Reply
  36. niche says

    March 6th, 2013 at 5:52 pm

    Gap Dream and Grass, Clinique Happy, Escada summer scents like Ibiza Party(?) or Island Kiss(?) and Calgon body sprays. The late 90s was not a high point for scents for me. Luckily, I can use the “I was 13” excuse.

    And yeah for hair care, definitely Herbal Essences. And my sister is a lot younger so I remember using her L’oreal Kids shampoo (I am singing the song from their commercials in my head).

    Reply
  37. Brooke says

    March 6th, 2013 at 6:04 pm

    I saw the Herbal Essence bottles while at Target the other day and HAD to pick up a bottle of shampoo and conditioner! At first I was confused because I thought “did they randomly find some old product in the back”? lol. I forgot how much I love and missed them! 🙂 Definitely picking up more when I’m out!

    Reply
  38. Julie Greenwood says

    March 6th, 2013 at 6:43 pm

    Tresor, Guerlain’s epic failure that I loved-Champs-Élysées , and that heinous apple scent that everyone wore circa 1997.

    Reply
  39. Kim says

    March 6th, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    Estee Lauder’s Pleasures and Tommy Girl!

    Reply
  40. Stephanie Smith says

    March 6th, 2013 at 8:20 pm

    Pumping Curls hair stuff, was it made by L’Oreal? I can’t remember. But I used the heck out of that stuff, and when I smell it, it’s 1992 again!

    Reply
  41. Julia says

    March 6th, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    CK One ist also the scent that most reminds me of the 90s. I got it as a Christmas present together with Nirvana´s Nevermind.

    Reply
    • Kellie says

      March 7th, 2013 at 2:53 pm

      Omg, that is awesome! 🙂

      Reply
  42. Heidi says

    March 6th, 2013 at 9:27 pm

    BBW’s Plumeria, ck One, and Herbal Essence are scents that always take me RIGHT BACK to my teenage years in the 90s.

    Reply
  43. Kate says

    March 6th, 2013 at 9:31 pm

    noxema! is it even around anymore??

    Reply
  44. Cloudburst says

    March 6th, 2013 at 9:35 pm

    CK One and Thierry Mugler Angel.

    Reply
  45. Nicole says

    March 7th, 2013 at 2:19 am

    I second CK One, Bath and Body Work’s sun ripened raspberry and Clinique Happy! Even Obsession, Tommy Girl and Cool Water.

    Reply
  46. Twyla says

    March 7th, 2013 at 5:37 am

    Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo takes me back to my parents house every time I use it (always have a bottle at home to strip my hair of products)… and I still use Bonne Bell ‘SKIN’ musk perfume – this perfume gets more compliments from strangers than any of my CK’s, Ralph Lauren’s, Issey’s, etc.. Its my signature scent.

    Reply
  47. Keyana says

    March 7th, 2013 at 7:07 am

    When I was in middle/high school Victoria’s Secret body sprays were all the rage! Pear Glace in particular – I had a guy friend that used to wear it and he smelled so good!
    Keyana recently posted … Rimmel Kate #4 and #15 Swatches and Review

    Reply
    • R says

      March 7th, 2013 at 9:12 am

      Yes, Pear Glace! They even made a lipgloss…I was OBSESSED. lol

      Reply
  48. Monica P says

    March 7th, 2013 at 8:08 am

    I remember Calvin Klein (CK One) as being this new scent that could be worn by a man or woman – gasp! I don’t want to smell too masculine! I don’t want my man smelling too feminine! I never bought the fragrance even though years later I rather like CK One on either gender 😉

    Monica
    Monica P recently posted … Lace front sweatshirt

    Reply
  49. R says

    March 7th, 2013 at 9:11 am

    Juniper Breeze
    Davidoff Cool Water Woman
    Vanilla Fields
    Oscar de la Renta
    Extra stinky deodorant (like Teen Spirit)
    Coconut shampoo (suave etc)

    Reply
  50. Valarie says

    March 7th, 2013 at 9:46 am

    Loves’s baby soft
    Love’s Soft jasmine
    Coty’s Exclamation perfume
    Coty’s Tribe perfume

    Reply
  51. Miranda says

    March 7th, 2013 at 10:49 am

    WOW~~~ Bonnie Bell Lip smacker in DR PEPPER!! LOL

    Reply
  52. Lorraine says

    March 7th, 2013 at 12:30 pm

    Will always remember my aunt’s Jovan Musk and my mother’s Poison. My cousin was going through bottles of CK one and all the guys at my school loved Cool Water(s?) There was a year of vanilla musk from the Body Shop. I liked the mini GAP scents and Dream and Grass were my fave! And for special occasions I used Anais-Anais, which I only bought coz I liked the name lol.

    Reply
  53. Kellie says

    March 7th, 2013 at 2:52 pm

    CK one, herbal essences, thermasilk shampoo and conditioner, Clinique Happy and Victoria’s Secret strawberries and champagne! I miss that one!

    Reply
  54. nicole says

    March 7th, 2013 at 9:02 pm

    definitely herbal essences hair spray line from that era, bonne bell lip smackers, bbw vanilla sugar for me! i didn’t really use BBW till later… and wish i stocked up on the old scents from then!

    Reply
  55. KSlone says

    March 7th, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    Liz Claiborne. Red triangle bottle!

    Reply
  56. Elizabeth says

    March 7th, 2013 at 10:22 pm

    Definitely the Herbal Essence in the scent from your picture! Also, my boyfriend in high school always wore Cool Water, so that reminds me of the 90s too.

    Reply
  57. JB says

    May 12th, 2013 at 7:38 pm

    I loved the ’90’s, especially the late. Fendi Classic, Eternity Classic, Amarige, Red Door, Dolce & Gabbana Red Cap, Sung Pure and Hypnotic Poison all hold the best memories for me. I also loved the Herbal Essence shampoo.

    Reply
  58. dee says

    May 12th, 2014 at 11:40 am

    can someone help me I am trying to remember a perfume that Macy’s use to have in the 90’s and late 90’s too a watermelon perfume so good to smell but I don’t know the name I want to find it again can anyone help me I looked it up but not much help was found thank you .

    Reply
    • Kate says

      June 21st, 2015 at 12:11 am

      I believe it was called “New West”

      Reply
  59. Maria says

    June 2nd, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    Omg im loving reading these so how about exclamation, electric youth, def all the old BBW,salon selectives I just found at big lots I was so excited it doesn’t work for anything but it still smells like the 90’s lol I also remember a V.S scent I swear it was called romantic rose I loved loved loved that scent does anyone else remember that scent ? I can’t find any info on it anywhere:( this is great reading<3

    Reply
    • ASHLEY says

      April 18th, 2016 at 7:59 am

      ****MARIA****

      I soooooooo remember VS Romantic Rose! I loved it!
      I wish i could find it again.
      Biosilk hair silk smells so much like it.

      Reply
  60. Sara says

    July 30th, 2014 at 2:08 pm

    Does anyone remember the drug store perfumes that came in a tube? It had a spray top with a big clear cap. There were also lotions and shower gels. I had a scent that was red and my best friend had a purple one. I can’t remember who made them or what they were called. But they were awesome! The shower gels had little floating moisture beads in them. Did anyone else have those?

    Reply
  61. susan says

    September 22nd, 2014 at 10:20 pm

    Fetish. It was in like a clear tube with red and blue cap. Anyone member it?

    Reply
  62. Rusty22 says

    April 13th, 2015 at 2:21 pm

    Those Herbal Essences shampoos; The Body Shop’s Grapefruit shampoo, White Musk Oil & Dewberry Oil, Coty Vanilla Fields; Bath & Body Works Vanilla Bean, Peach Nectar, White Gardenia, Peaberry & Sun Ripened Raspberry, Pert shampoo, Speed Stick fresh scent

    Reply
  63. Mermaid says

    July 13th, 2020 at 6:49 am

    I was a preteen/teenager for most of the 90’s. I used to raid the drugstore for Dr. Pepper lip smacker, Jane cosmetics scented lipstick in Faux Fur (brown to do the singer Brandy thing), vanilla with glitter lip gloss (can’t remember the brand) and Body Fantasies cotton candy body mist.

    My mama wore Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers most of the decade, and in 1999, developed a penchant for the brands fragrance Green Tea. I remember buying her a gift set around Christmas time and her wearing like every day.

    Reply

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Hi there! I’m Karen, your friendly neighborhood beauty addict, and I’m a Bay Area girl who hoards brown eyeshadow and covets coral lipstick. Every morning, I wake up and say, “I’m going to do something other than a smoky eye today.” Then…I end up doing a smoky eye anyway (most days). When I’m not putting on makeup, taking pictures of makeup or writing about makeup, which I’ve been doing daily since 2007 (!), you’ll find me hanging out with my hubby (“El Hub”), my four-year-old daughter (Connor Claire) and my torbie girl cat (Pretty Girl Rosie, a.k.a. PGR).

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