13 Best 90s Perfumes That You Must Try In 2024 (Reviews)
Bring back that nostalgic vibe with these supreme fragrances that'll get you grooving.
Cha Cha WoskaCertified Makeup Artist
Cha Cha is a certified professional makeup artist, airbrush makeup artist, and beauty educator with over 20 years in the beauty industry. She is also the owner of Cha Cha Beauty Bar and has done extensive work in the bridal and special even... more
baishali bhattacharyaMA (English)
Baishali is a beauty and lifestyle writer and holds a master's degree in English from Assam University. She specializes in makeup and fashion and is also a certified Style and Image Consultant. Prior ... more
srijani roy chowdhuryMA (Journalism & Mass Communication), Certified Style & Image Consultant
Experience: 3 yearsSrijani is an associate commerce editor with a master's degree in journalism and mass communication from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal. She is certified in makeup techniques and is also a ce... more
srijita deMA (English & Literature), Certified Style & Image Consultant
Experience: 2 yearsSrijita De is a makeup and fashion enthusiast with a passion for empowering readers through practical tips and tricks to present their best selves with confidence. Armed with a postgraduate degree in ... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Fashion, beauty, and makeup ideas of the ‘90s are unbeatable. From flaunting brown lipstick, and glittery shadows to blessing the era with high-end brands and celebrities reinvented oriental, floral, and woody fragrances, the ‘90s has done it all. To this end, we have made a list of the best 90s perfumes that will take you back to those times and mesmerize you with their unmatched dreamy scents. These statement-making, vintage perfumes from the beautiful time of the ‘90s with their timeless charm and lush sensuality will assure you that you are investing in the right on-trend accessory. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead and check out these ‘90s fragrances ASAP!
In This Article
13 Best Popular Vintage Perfumes From The ‘90s That You Must Try In 2024
1. Best For Formal Wear:Clinique Happy For Women
The irresistible harmony of the fresh morning and exotic florals comes together in the nostalgic scents of Clinique Happy by Clinique for Women perfume. It combines the top notes of orange, blood grapefruit, bergamot, Indian mandarin, apple, and plum with the fusion of Freesia, orchid, rose, and lily. This intoxicating fragrance has won the hearts of many reviewers as it is soft, charming, well-balanced, and crafted to perfection. It is perfect for a day of corporate meetings with its understated elegance.
Pros
- Skin-friendly
- High quality
- Ideal for daily wear
- Long-lasting fragrance
- Suitable for formal wear
Cons
- Mild
"I have been using this scent on rotation for years now. It has a lovely floral-citrusy scent that is refreshing and long-lasting. I like how the fragrance is suitable for a variety of occasions and the good sillage lingers on mysteriously."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 4,577 Amazon users have vouched for this amazing product.
2. Best For All Occasions: Cool Water By Davidoff For Women
Cool Water by Davidoff for Women is a timeless, classic, and popular fragrance. The scent is described as a fresh and aquatic aroma featuring jasmine, oak moss, and musk notes. This fragrance is also said to have fruity and floral notes with a base of water lily and a touch of peach, and it’s also infused with a hint of mint, making it refreshing and invigorating. Cha Cha Woska, Certified Makeup Artist, says, “This is definitely a nostalgic scent that sparks a memory with anyone who smells it.” It is available in a variety of sizes and is suitable for daily use, both day and night. It’s a popular fragrance among women who like fresh and aquatic scents, and it’s perfect for summer and casual wear.
Pros
- Fresh and aquatic aroma
- Suitable for all skin types
- Best for daily use
- Ideal for summer season
- Available in different sizes
Cons
- None
"This classic fragrance attracts multiple compliments from friends and family. The refreshing notes of this scent do not overpower the senses but complement my body chemistry seamlessly."
3. Best Long-Lasting:Amarige By Givenchy For Women
Amarige by Givenchy For Women is a veritable masterpiece – a fragrance that stood the test of time and remains a favorite amongst the ladies. The scent lasts a long time and hits you with a lush blend of mimosa, tuberose, neroli, violet, and gardenia. The top notes of peach, plum, orange, and mandarin linger with their rare essence. Finally, the blend of deep wood notes of cedar, amber, musk, and sandalwood offer an exotic spicy edge that is exquisitely chic. Its lingering, feminine scent from the celebrity-endorsed brand has made it a favorite among many reviewers.
Pros
- Attraction-grabbing scent
- Travel-friendly
- Ideal for regular use
- Long-lasting fragrance
Cons
- May contain alcohol
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 3,943 reviews claiming its efficacy.
| Clinique Happy For Women Best For Formal Wear | Cool Water By Davidoff For Women Best For All Occasions | Amarige By Givenchy For Women Best Long-Lasting | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 7.09 x 4.72 x 3.54 inches | 2 x 2 x 6 inches | 2 x 2 x 6 inches |
| Weight | 11.6 Ounces | 3.4 Ounces | 3.53 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 4,577 | - | 3,943 |
| Price | $44.13 | $24.29 | $50.4 |
4. Best Sillage: Dune By Christian Dior Eau De Toilette Spray
The perfume Dune, by the celebrity-endorsed brand Christian Dior, is a classic, elegant fragrance. The scent features a blend of floral and spicy notes, including lavender, bergamot, and coriander. The heart of the fragrance is composed of iris and cedarwood, while the base features notes of amber, vanilla, and musk. Dune is a sophisticated, timeless scent that is perfect for both casual and formal occasions. The top notes are composed of lavender and bergamot, which give it a clean, refreshing opening. The heart of the fragrance receives its intensity from iris and cedarwood which provide a woody, earthy tone. The base notes of amber, vanilla, and musk give this ’90s-era perfume a warm, sensual finish.
Pros
- Great sillage
- Versatile packaging
- Long-lasting
Cons
- None
"This perfume has a distinct sophisticated scent that attracts many compliments. It has a listing fragrance that does not overpower the senses. This classic scent is a good addition to my fragrance collection."
5. Best For Evening Wear:Thierry Mugler Angel Eau De Parfum Spray
The Thierry Mugler Angel Eau De Parfum Spray features a unique and captivating scent. It is composed of a combination of spicy and sweet notes, including vanilla, patchouli, and caramel. The distinct scent is described as “heavenly” and “addictive,” making it a popular choice for women who want to make a lasting impression. It is available in a variety of sizes. In addition to its sweet and spicy allure, this perfume also features top notes of bergamot, melon, and coconut, as well as heart notes of honey, apricot, and jasmine. The fragrance has a strong and long-lasting scent that is perfect for special occasions or everyday wear. Its uniquely designed bottle and long-lasting fragrance have garnered multiple positive reviews online.
Pros
- Long-lasting aroma
- Great sillage
- Suitable for all ages
- Versatile packaging
- Suitable for evening wear
Cons
- None
6. Best Classic Fragrance:Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds For Women
The Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds perfume has a sheer floral blend of lily, tuberose, jasmine, and rose. They come together with the sensual sharpness of oakmoss, amber, musk, and sandalwood to create a divine fragrance. White Diamonds is truly vintage right from its sparkling scent to its bling-y gold packaging. The aldehydes and citrus top notes have brilliance, the floral heart is enchanting, and the base encases you in its tender warmth. This timeless top seller is unputdownable for all women who can’t keep their hands off a timeless scent.
Pros
- Sensual
- Luxurious and sophisticated
- Ideal for day-to-night
- Long-lasting
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 3,862 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
7. Best Floral-Oriental Fragrance: Carolina Herrera Eau De Parfum Spray
Carolina Herrera Eau De Parfum Spray is a women’s fragrance from the fashion designer Carolina Herrera. It is described as a floral, feminine scent that combines jasmine, tuberose, and orange blossom notes. This Oriental fragrance also has base notes of vanilla and sandalwood, which adds a warm, sensual depth to the scent. It is available in various sizes, from small, travel-size bottles to large, value-for-money bottles. Numerous reviewers attest that this classic and elegant perfume can be worn on any occasion and time of the day. It’s a popular designer fragrance among women who like floral scents with warmth, intrigue, and sensuality.
Pros
- Clean and elegant fragrance
- Long-lasting
- Travel-friendly
- Suitable for all day wear
- Available in different sizes
Cons
- None
8. Best Lightweight Formula: Calvin Klein Ck One Eau De Toilette
The perfume CK One, by the celebrity-endorsed brand Calvin Klein, is a unisex fragrance released in 1994. It is a sentimental favorite that has a refreshing, citrusy scent with notes of pineapple, green notes, mandarin orange, papaya, bergamot, cardamom, and lemon. The fragrance has a clean, light, and youthful feel, making it perfect for everyday wear. The Eau de Toilette version of the scent is a lighter concentration of the fragrance, making it more suitable for warmer weather or for those who prefer a more subtle scent. It is available in various sizes of bottles, as well as as body spray and aftershave. The versatile and sophisticated scent CK One Eau de Toilette has made it a must-buy for many reviewers. This active perfume can be worn by anyone, any time of the day.
Pros
- Unisex perfume
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting
- Affordable
- Suitable for all seasons
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The overwhelming 3,715 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
9. Best For All Seasons:Chopard Casmir Eau De Parfum
The Casmir by celebrity-endorsed Chopard is a beautiful gourmand that is a classic to have in your perfume cabinet. Its top notes are made with exotic blends of peach, apricot, raspberry, coconut, mango, and bergamot that go on to meet the middle notes of geranium, jasmine, cinnamon, carnation, mandarin, orange, and lily. It is a comforting scent that is balanced by the base notes of musk, Vanilla hints, sandalwood, patchouli, opoponax, amber, and tonka bean. Reviews on online forums recommend this perfume that wears well for most seasons and leaves you feeling exotic all day long.
Pros
- Classic
- Premium ingredients
- Affordable
- Suitable for daytime wear
- Lasts all day long
Cons
- Too strong
"This perfume has a warm vanilla essence that grows sweeter after the first few hours of wear. It is perfect for the fall and winter months. The scent is not overpowering, but it has a lingering presence that attracts compliments."
Quick Tip10. Best Travel-Friendly:Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Eau de Toilette Spray
The Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Eau de Toilette Spray is a women’s fragrance that was first released in 1993. It is a classic, feminine scent with a floral, oriental composition. The top notes of the fragrance include orange blossom, star anise, and ginger. The middle notes include vanilla, orchid, and lily of the valley, while the base notes include amber, sandalwood, and musk. This fragrance from the celebrity-endorsed brand is described as sensual, warm, and seductive. The fragrance comes in a variety of sizes, including a large bottle and a smaller travel size. A single spritz leaves you feeling refreshed all day long!
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Travel-friendly
- Suitable for all seasons
- Great sillage
Cons
- None
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
A whopping 2,880 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.
11. Best Vintage Choice:No. 5 By Chanel Eau De Parfum
The No. 5 by Chanel For Women is a majestic scent that was created to hold the essence of feminity. It encompasses an aroma that is elegant and tasteful and lingers onto your senses with its delicate notes. The top notes consist of sparkly citrus, aldehydes, lemon, neroli, and ylang-ylang. The middle notes of lily, rose, orris root, iris, and jasmine build into the luxurious and bold sandalwood, musk, amber, vanilla, patchouli, and vetiver base. The classic bottle spells luxury and true vintage. This celebrity-endorsed brand’s cult favorite perfume has garnered positive reviews for its distinguished and lingering fragrance.
Pros
- Ideal for gifting
- Premium ingredients
- Ideal for romantic wear
- Long-lasting
Cons
- May cause allergic reactions
12. Best Floral Fragrance:Revlon Vintage Charlie Eau De Toilette
The vintage version of Charlie blends contemporary boldness with timeless elegance. The perfume is a signature scent for many collector’s cabinets. It hits you with a scent of lovely hyacinth and the freshness of aldehydes. The heart notes comprise of sophisticated scents such as lily of the valley, jasmine, coriander, geranium, and violet. The vanilla and sandalwood base is smooth with oakmoss and musk adding body to this floral bouquet. The voluptuous perfume dries down like a long, lingering embrace after application.
13. Best For Daily Wear: Estee Lauder Pleasures Eau De Parfum Spray
The Estée Lauder Pleasures Eau de Parfum Spray was first released in 1995. It is a light, floral scent with notes of white lily, violet leaves, rose, and jasmine. The fragrance also has a hint of fresh air and green notes. The Eau de Parfum version is considered as a more intense and long-lasting concentration of the fragrance. It is described as a fresh, clean, and feminine scent that is perfect for everyday wear. The fragrance comes in a variety of sizes, including a large bottle and a smaller travel size. The ‘90s scent is designed to evoke the feeling of a spring day with a hint of fresh air. Many reviewers attest that this fragrance is perfect for everyday wear and can be worn on different occasions. It is considered a fresh fragrance that is perfect for any time of the year.
Pros
- Clean ingredients
- Long-lasting
- Travel-friendly
- Suitable for all season
- Ideal for daily wear
Cons
- None
"This perfume consistently earns me compliments for its mild, calming scent. It's an affordable luxury that does not overpower the senses. It lingers on for a good while and is suitable for all-day wear."
The timeless fragrances from the popular ‘90s perfumes offer exceptional results by bringing a sense of nostalgia and are considered great for aromatherapy. Before you go ahead and choose the ideal 90s perfume you want to try out this season, here are a few features to look for in any fragrance.
How To Choose The Best 90s Perfumes That You Must Try In 2024
- Notes
Every perfume in the market comes with three basic notes – the top note, middle note and the base note. The concentration in the mixture of these three notes is what makes the fragrance unique. They are perfectly curated to match one another and evaporate at the right time to create a magical medley of scents. The top knot is the very first whiff of scent that you get immediately after you spray the perfume. This note mostly consists of floral, citrus and crisp notes that are refreshing. The middle note lasts for at least 60 minutes and is the main character in your perfume! Romantic aromas like rose, lavender, and spicy scents make up the middle note. The base note introduces depth to your perfume, and is the most long-lasting and lingering. Choose scents with notes that you prefer while also considering the occasion and the season.
- Seasonal Preferences
Make sure to choose the right type of scent that is suitable for your personality and the season. For spring and summer, go for citrus scent, whereas when it comes to date night in an autumn evening, go for floral or deep notes. Elegant compositions of vanilla, cloves, cinnamon, and leather gives a warm personality and is great for the winter season. Woody notes of patchouli and sandalwood give a sophisticated outlook. These notes make for sensual perfumes that work for every season.
- Longevity
The longevity of any perfume depends on the concentration of the perfume oil. Based on this, fragrances can be characterized in the following segregations:
- Parfum has the highest concentration of up to 20% to 30% and can stay put for eight hours.
- Eau De Parfum stays for five hours and has a concentration of 15%-20%. This is ideal for special occasions.
- Eau De Toilette is the most common concentration in perfume, and lasts for up to 2 to 3 hours. It has a concentration of 5% to 15% of perfume oil.
- Eau De Cologne lasts for just two hours, and has the shortest stay. It has a concentration of 2% to 4% of perfume oil, and is perfect for shorter periods of time like when you are hitting the gym.
Choose long-lasting perfumes to go without having to reapply the scent throughout the day. Long-lasting perfumes also save your time and energy while you take up important chores in the day.
Infographic: Tips And Ideas For Layering Perfumes To Create Unique Scent Combinations
If you are someone who loves experimenting with scents and desires a truly personalized fragrance experience, dive into the art of layering perfumes to create unique scent combinations that reflect your style. Check out the infographic below and discover a realm of endless possibilities as we share tips and ideas to help you unlock the magic of fragrance layering.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
The world is not over the ‘90s trends, and neither are we! While we do not have a time machine (yet) to travel back to that era of madness, art, and glitter, we do have the best ‘90s perfumes that help us relive those moments. From unique fruity fragrances to floral to woody and musky notes our list covers a wide range of tried-and-tested retro fragrances to choose from. Choose the Clinique Happy For Women for a mix of fruity floral scents, the Thierry Mugler Angel Eau De Parfum Spray for a sweet and spicy fragrance, and the Calvin Klein CK One Eau De Toilette for its citrusy scent. Some of these iconic perfumes are expertly crafted to hold the essence of feminine spirit while others are simply intoxicating. The high-end brands offer some divine fruity-floral fragrances that are timeless classics that keep you fresh and energized all day. Be it beach parties or dinner dates, there is something for everyone and every occasion. However, patch test the perfumes before applying to check for skin sensitivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the smell of the 90s?
The signature scents included, Cucumber Melon, Plumeria, and Pearberry were the smell of the 90s.
What perfume was popular in 1998?
Clinique Happy was one of the most popular perfumes of 1998.
What perfume was popular in 1999?
Dune by Christian Dior was one of the popular perfumes of 1999.
What perfume was popular in 1994?
One by Calvin Klein was one of the popular perfumes of 1994.
Does perfume expire?
Yes, perfumes expire after 1-3 years a
What are vintage perfumes?
A perfume that is more than ten years old is considered vintage. This applies to both discontinued and presently available perfumes.
Are old perfumes worth anything?
Yes, old perfume bottles are pretty precious. An antique perfume bottle can cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to tens of thousands or more, depending on the maker, intricacy, age, exclusivity, and quality.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Baishali Bhattacharya, the author, is certified in makeup artistry and she has a passion for discovering the world’s finest fragrance notes. If you are looking for lasting, luxurious scents, she recommends using these ‘90s perfumes. She assembled a comprehensive and detailed list of the best products after conducting a thorough research of the user feedback. These timeless scents will transport you back to the ‘90s and mesmerize you with their unforgettable dreamy scents.
