The 90s was a time of newness and innovation — from brown lipsticks to the Rachel-from-Friends haircut — women were ready to try something new. Perfumes reflected this innovative spirit with new fragrance categories and innovative raw materials.
The 90s is known for experimental fragrances that were so spellbinding they stood the test of time. The nostalgic allure of 90s perfumes has a stronghold on our olfactive memories; and they are still making millions today…more than two decades later.
Be warned, you are in for a massive dose of nostalgia as we take an olfactory trip down memory lane. And yes…that sound you just heard is us popping the champagne, toasting the 90s perfumes that changed our lives forever.
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The perfume icons of the 90s
Transport yourself in time with these timeless 90s perfumes that were all pioneering in their own way. Best of all… they are still available today!
1. Clinique Happy EDP
Inject optimism into your life with the bright citrus infusion of Clinique Happy EDP, launched in 1998. Happy EDP was the first scent to successfully capture the joyful characteristics of citrus with its distinctive fresh and energetic aromas. The feel-good fragrance lifts your senses with citrus notes of bergamot, orange, and grapefruit before blending into bright florals like mimosa and freesia. Clinique Happy EDP radiates joyful emotion, and this trailblazing 90s perfume has remained a cult favorite. To this day, Happy EDP is Clinique’s bestselling scent!
Want to relive your best memories? Explore the best 90s perfumes with a Scentbird subscription — starting from only $8.47 a month — or get a month’s supply of Clinique Happy EDP for only $21.95.
2. Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey EDT
Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey EDT was the first aquatic perfume for women. The Japanese designer wanted to create a scent as clear as spring water and launched his masterpiece in 1992 with this idea in mind. The scent immediately resonated with women across the globe with its mesmerizing aromas of lotus, lily, and rose enhanced by the irresistible water accord. L’Eau d’Issey has been reinterpreted in many different ways over the years, with various additions to the range, but the original has remained the firm favorite. This pioneering 90s perfume is a timeless classic; its watery florals never disappoint!
Want to relive your best memories? Explore the best 90s perfumes with a Scentbird subscription — starting from only $8.47 a month — or get a month’s supply of Issey Miyake L’Eau d’Issey EDT for only $21.95.
3. Calvin Klein CK One EDT
Calvin Klein CK One EDT is probably one of the scents you think of first when you reminisce about the 90s. The fragrance made its debut in 1994 and quickly became a quintessential 90s perfume. The fragrance was groundbreaking in many ways — from the androgynous models in the ad campaign to its unisex positioning — it was all barely heard of in the 90s. The fragrance paved the way for a plethora of unisex scents to follow, making it seem commonplace today. The stripped-down scent captures the essence of the 90s like few perfumes can, with aromas of violet, bergamot, nutmeg, and musk. The fragrance’s signature green tea accord gave this bestselling scent a minimalistic, timeless quality. This 90s perfume with its iconic frosted bottle is still a bestseller two decades on, making more than $30 million in sales every year!
4. Angel by Thierry Mugler EDP
The 90s was a time for reinvention, and this innovative thinking is reflected in Thierry Mugler Angel EDP. The fragrance was released in 1992 and took the world by storm with its never-been-smelt-before aromas. The alluring concoction of honey, vanilla, caramel, and chocolate carved out a new perfume category all on its own. Since then, gourmand fragrances have been tempting perfume lovers non-stop with their good-enough-to-eat aromas. This trendsetting 90s perfume is unique and unforgettable. The iconic star-shaped bottle — now eco-friendly and refillable! — has kept up with the times to stay relevant, ensuring Angel EDP remains one of the bestselling perfumes in the world!
5. Estée Lauder Pleasures EDP
Estée Lauder Pleasures EDP was designed to capture the scent of flowers after the rain…but it also captured women’s hearts across the globe. The clean floral charms with a rejuvenating blend of jasmine, white peony, lily, rose, and patchouli. In true 90s perfume style, this universally appealing scent is a groundbreaking creation — introducing a fragrance category of its own: sheer floral. The airy, clean bouquet is synonymous with the 90s and will immediately transport your senses to the sounds of your favorite 90s playlist. This 90s perfume’s popularity just won’t fade — and with such radiant florals, who can blame it?
6. Lancôme Trésor EDP
Lancôme Trésor EDP marks the start of the 90s, launching in 1990, with its ultra-feminine aromas. The intense, powdery scent is an elegant blend of rose, lilac, jasmine, apricot, and sandalwood. Trésor means “treasure” in French, and the jewel-shaped bottle with its opulent ingredients personifies the name. This 90s perfume, with its gold-colored fragrance water, is still a sought-after scent more than three decades later. Just one spritz and you will be back in 90s, reminiscing about your own most “treasured” moments.
7. Gucci Rush EDT
As the 90s came to a close, Gucci Rush EDT launched in 1999. The fragrance was created by Tom Ford while at the helm as Gucci’s creative director. The overwhelming success of the scent was an early indicator of Ford’s creative mastermind when it came to fragrance creation. The instantly recognizable aroma of peony, gardenia, and jasmine mixed with a base of vanilla and patchouli still captivates today and is indicative of the staying power of Ford’s creative vision. Even the packaging is a reflection of the 90s with its cassette-shaped bottle, taking us back to the allure of mixed tapes and first loves. This 90s perfume still makes a statement today, with its chypre accords and one-of-a-kind bottle that has become symbolic of an era.
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