The 9 Most Popular Perfumes of the 90s + Original Video Ads
The 9 Most Popular Perfumes of the 90s + Original Video Ads
This publication is part of our series of articles on the history of perfume during the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.The 90s are back; you must have heard it on the news. It is no secret that the trends and fads of the 1990s are returning to captivate a whole new generation of consumers. The fragrance market underwent many changes in this decade, with many brands finally becoming more daring and bold. Following the craze of gendered fragrances, the 90s saw the launch of many classic, unisex fragrances.
The Girl Power Movement
The 90s was an era of strong girl power in the fashion industry, and this movement had a major influence on perfume trends during that time. This period saw the rise of several new and innovative fragrances that were made to embody the spirit of the girl power movement. These scents featured bold, daring notes that sought to defy traditional gender roles and empower women. These fragrances highlighted feminine strength through their unique scents, setting them apart from previous generations’ perfumes that focused more on being delicate or sweet. The underlying message behind these fragrances was clear: women could be strong and powerful without needing to conform to societal expectations. The girl power movement helped drive a shift in consumer thinking away from what was traditionally considered ‘feminine’.Several fragrances will immediately transport you to the 90s with just a whiff. Below is our tribute to some of these iconic fragrances, many of which we wear even today.
Calvin Klein CK One (1994)
Arguably the most iconic fragrance of the 90s, one that is worn even today with equal enthusiasm, CK One triggered a revolution in unisex perfumery. This unisex citrus-aromatic summer fragrance has tropical fruits like pineapple, refreshing mandarin orange, florals like freesia, green notes like oak moss, and even aromatic spices.CK One by Calvin Klein can absolutely be considered revolutionary in the world of fragrances. Since the 60s, perfumes were always marketed as either for men or women. The success of CK One opened up possibilities for other brands to experiment with unisex perfumes creating a whole new industry within the fragrance sector. As time went on unisex perfumes became increasingly popular as people pushed boundaries when it comes to self-expression through fashion and beauty products such as fragrances. It all started with CK One which is why it will always remembered as one of most revolutionary products from the 90s.CK One was also uniquely marketed. The company chose an unusual approach to marketing their product which featured models of different genders sporting white and black basic clothing – essentially they were wearing nothing else. This unique approach resonated with audiences who wanted something new and bold.
Gap Dream (1995)
The 90s were the heyday of Gap fragrances. Dream, a lovely white floral blend, caught the fancy of many young women who wanted to smell pretty. Featuring freesia, orange blossom, jasmine, lily-of-the-valley, and musk, the fragrance was fairly straightforward and charmingly youthful.Gap Dream had a distinctly retro feel that appealed to those looking for nostalgia in their perfume selections. Additionally, Gap Dream was surprisingly affordable, something that consumers of all incomes could appreciate.The simple yet sophisticated aroma was something many of its fans found endearing. Many associated their memories of the 90s with the fragrance’s citrusy tones, as it made them think back fondly on the time period. Its light, airy feel and subtle sweetness were also particularly appealing to those who sought something more mild than other heavier perfumes of the time.Moreover, Gap Dream had an iconic advertising campaign that featured famous models and celebrities like Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell wearing the distinctive blue-and-white striped jumpers from the brand’s Gap clothing line while spritzing themselves with the scent. This unique campaign generated a lot of buzz around Gap Dream and helped catapult it into mainstream appeal among youth culture.
Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers (1993)
With sunflowers being a topic of much discourse in the 90s, it was no surprise that Elizabeth Arden’s fragrance of the same name immediately made an impact. The cheerful, energetic fruity floral opens with bright lemon, sweet peach, juicy mandarin, and sparkling bergamot. Cyclamen rose, and jasmine feature prominently in the heart, while the sensual base has clean musk, woody cedar, warm amber, and creamy sandalwood. Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers perfume remained so popular in the 1990s because it represented freedom of expression through scent. Its light aroma gave off an airy feeling reminiscent of summer days spent outdoors under the sun’s rays – something that made it even more attractive to young women who felt restricted by societal expectations at the time. With its refreshing floral notes, Sunflowers was also an easy choice for those looking to add something special to their day without being too overpowering or overly expensive.
Coty Vanilla Fields (1993)
This amber-vanilla fragrance was a drugstore gem in the 90s. Featuring sweet and delicious vanilla, tempered by warm musk, exotic jasmine, and sensual amber, Vanilla Fields was a joyful addition to any fragrance wardrobe.
Clinique Happy (1997)
Clinique Happy, a cultural artifact from the 90s, is reminiscent of a sunny, joyful morning. With a beautiful harmony of fresh and exotic florals, the fragrance is cheerful, elegant, and charming. While the opening is dominated by sparkling citruses like orange, blood grapefruit, bergamot, and mandarin, the heart contains a floral bouquet of freesia, lily-of-the-valley, orchid, and rose. At the base, a warm and enveloping blend of musk and amber resides.
Ralph Lauren Romance (1998)
The freesia-dominant fragrance was a huge success in the 90s, and most women did not think twice about adding it to their collections. A dreamy and elegant blend, it was rendered unique by a combination of carnation, violet, and ginger. The fruity-floral captures the feeling of blissful romantic love and intimacy, and its positive aura is intoxicating.
Estee Lauder Pleasures (1995)
This clean, soapy perfume had its fair share of admirers in the 90s, and it continues to be a favorite. Pairing green notes with fresh flowers, Pleasures is sophisticated and versatile, fit for every occasion. With delicate lilies and peonies, sensual jasmine, precious Karo-Karounde blossoms, and the exotic Baie Rose, Pleasures aims to capture the pleasure of finding beauty in everyday things.
Liz Claiborne Curve (1996)
This refreshing citrus extravaganza was a runaway hit in the 90s. Offering a light and luxurious fragrance at a relatively affordable price, Curve features zesty and crisp notes of grapefruit, mandarin orange, and bergamot juxtaposed against a floral bouquet of peony, freesia, rose, lotus, magnolia, and lily-of-the-valley. The warm, powdery base, bringing together violet, iris, sandalwood, iris, amber, and mahogany, is quite sensual. The curve is for the woman who is always slightly ahead of the curve.
Tommy Girl (1996)
This light, invigorating fragrance captures the goodness of a refreshing lemony drink. With an airy blend of sparkling lemon, sweet honeysuckle, and creamy sandalwood, Tommy Girl is a versatile summer perfume that dominated the 90s.The signature packaging of the perfume was also a big draw, featuring a classic pink and purple bottle with a raised floral pattern. Its lighthearted advertising campaigns featured young actresses such as Alicia Silverstone and Denise Richards, which helped make it an iconic product of the decade.At the same time, Tommy Girl had a timeless quality that appealed to women across ages and lifestyles. It quickly became a staple in department stores around America, with sleek displays in dressing rooms that caused shoppers to pause for just one extra moment before deciding on their purchase. The perfume also captured the spirit of optimism during the end of the century—from its carefree beauty commercials to its “girl power” attitude—which resonated deeply with many people in the 90s culture.
Lancôme Trésor (1990)
Widely regarded as a true gem of the 90s, this alluring amber-floral celebrates femininity and power. After opening with peach, rose, apricot, lilac, pineapple, and bergamot, the fragrance settles into a strong floral heart of iris, heliotrope, and jasmine. The warm floriental embraces its sensuality with a blend of vanilla, sandalwood, amber, and musk at the base.
Versace Blue Jeans (1994)
Very few fragrances are as quintessentially nineties as Versace Blue Jeans. A single look at the bottle will send you down a nostalgia-ridden path. The iconic aromatic fougere captures the aroma of the woods in autumn. With woodsy and citrusy notes at the top, a spicy-floral heart, and a warm but creamy dry down, Blue Jeans is a classic masculine fragrance that is beloved even today.
Davidoff Cool Water for Women (1996)
This aquatic blend was refreshing like nothing else on the market. Empowered by the androgynous essence of CK One, women of the 90s were more than eager to embrace clean, masculine scents. Cool Water delivered just that with the added twist of luscious fruits, soft florals, and elegant woods. The opening is heavily oceanic, but the heart has serene floral notes. Musk, vanilla, peach, and sandalwood form a warm and comforting base.
Elizabeth Taylor White Diamonds (1991)
This sheer, aldehydic blend of beautiful florals was everywhere in the first half of the 90s. The elegant heart of lily, tuberose, jasmine, and rose is charming, but the combination of oakmoss, amber, musk, and sandalwood in the drydown creates something warm and divine. White Diamonds is a vintage delight and truly timeless. Elizabeth Taylor’s creation set the precedent for all other celebrity scents.
Amarige Givenchy (1991)
The concept of smelling expensive may have emerged in the 2000s, but this fragrance captures it perfectly. Amarige is a timeless masterpiece that set the bar for heavy florals at the time. With a lush bouquet of gardenia, mimosa, tuberose, neroli, violet, and mimosa, this fragrance was treasured by anyone who appreciated luxurious fragrances. The dry-down was uniquely oriental with a blend of cedar, amber, musk, and sandalwood.
A*Men by Thierry Mugler (1996)
The bottle of this fragrance is instantly recognizable. This decadent gourmand boasts caramel, honey, and milk, coupled with coffee, vanilla, and tonka bean. The sweet deliciousness is offset by the exotic patchouli at the base. A*Men popularized gourmands for men in the 90s single-handedly.Which of these have you smelt?
Conclusion
The launch of these iconic fragrances reflected wider societal trends at play in the 90s. The focus on individualism and personal expression has never been so visible. These fragrances allowed people to express themselves through scent without having to conform to more traditional gender roles associated with certain types of fragrances. In addition to these more traditional fragrance categories, there was a rise in niche perfumes during this period as well. This helped people express their personality through scent even further than before by creating bespoke combinations tailored specifically to individual taste. Overall, perfume trends during the 90s marked an era of growth for fragrance brands as they began exploring new ways to engage with their customers on an emotional level through scent rather than relying solely on marketing techniques.
