The '90s was all about grunge, the total opposite of the preppy, brightly colored vibe of the '80s. From their clothes to their hair and nails, '90s teens and tweens did their best to look as dark and morbid as possible. But even though they wanted to look like vampires, '90s girls did not want to smell like a hideous bloodsucking ghoul. For everything that was awful about beauty trends in the '90s (yes, we are talking about frosted tips), you have to admit, there were some pretty amazing scents to choose from. But what were the best smelling beauty products of the '90s?
Body care retailers Bath & Body Works and The Body Shop burst on to the scene at the beginning of the decade with a huge array of lotions, body washes, and sprays, giving girls another alternative to drugstore and department store perfumes for all of their smell good needs. Though a few have gone away, many of the most popular fruity and floral scents of the '90s still have a large following following today. From the sultry to the sweet, we remember some of our favorite fragrances from that glorious decade.
1
Warm Vanilla Sugar by Bath & Body Works
Warm Vanilla Sugar Lotion, $10, Amazon
Bath & Body Works had the body care market on lock in the '90s, and Warm Vanilla Sugar was one of their must-have scents. Layer the body wash, lotion, and fragrance mist to smell like a batch of cookies all day long.
2
Sunflowers By Elizabeth Arden
From the cheerleaders to the class president, every high school it-girl in the '90s swore by the light, airy scent of Sunflowers by Elizabeth Arden.
3
Pear Glace By Victoria Secret
You might not have been able to buy your underwear at Victoria Secret in the '90s, but you were just as happy to fill up your little pink bag with this fruity favorite.
4
Gap Fragrances
Dream By Gap, $22, Amazon
With names like Dream, Heaven, and Grass, Gap's line of earthy fragrances lived up to their hippie hype.
5
Apricot Scrub By St. Ives
St. Ives Apricot Scrub Pack of 3, $13, Amazon
I'm not sure what benefit apricots have in skincare, but this popular drugstore facial cleanser is so refreshing.
6
Pleasures by Estee Lauder
Estee Lauder Pleasures Edp Spray 3.4 Ounce, $49, Amazon
Refreshingly floral, Pleasures was one thing '90s moms and their teen daughters could agree on.
7
Color Me Happy Shampoo By Herbal Essences
Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Shampoo & Conditioner Set (10.1 Fl Oz Ea), $11, Amazon
There's a reason why the girls in the commercials were so happy (if you know what we mean!). This budget beauty buy leaves hair smelling like a sweet floral bouquet.
8
Baby Soft By Love's
Dana Loves Baby Soft Cologne Spray, 1 Ounce, $20, Amazon
The scent of baby powder was prevalent in this little tube of goodness that was small enough to fit in your cross-body bag.
9
Lip Smackers By Bonne Bell
Lip Smacker Original Flavors Party Pack Lip Glosses, 8 Count, $10, Amazon
The candy and fruit-filled scents of Bonne Bell's popular lip gloss collection made licking your lips nearly impossible to resist.
10
Amazing Grace By Philosophy
Philosophy Amazing Grace Shampoo, Bath & Shower Gel, 16 Ounces, $19, Amazon
The popular beauty retailer hit the jackpot with this clean, feminine scent. With shampoo, body wash and perfume, a girl could smell amazing from head to toe.
11
Bubble Bars By Lush
One of Lush's fun shaped bars plus running water equals a fun, bubble-filled bath.
