These Nostalgic ‘80s Perfumes Are Sure to Bring Back Memories—Plus, You Can Still Purchase Them Today
Plus, tips for finding discontinued fragrances from the past
From shoulder pads and electric blue eyeliner to Cindy Lauper and big hair, the ‘80s weren’t just loud in fashion and music; they were a full-on fragrance explosion. Before the whisper-light scents of the ’90s took hold, perfume was a bold statement, a declaration of confidence that could fill a room, explains fragrance expert Leila Zagwolsky, CEO and co-founder of LUXSB, Luxury Scent Box. Whether they remind you of your mother’s hugs or your best friend’s bedroom, inhaling these nostalgic scents can take you on a fun trip down memory lane. Read on as we revisit the most iconic ‘80s perfumes. Plus, find out which ones are still available!
What were the most popular ‘80s perfumes?
“In an era of glamour, boldness and being noticed, popular ‘80s perfumes were made with blends of rich florals, spices, musk and woods,” says Zagwolsky. Here, eight popular ‘80s perfumes sure to trigger some fond memories of your youth!
Popular ‘80s perfume: Estée Lauder Beautiful
Notes about the scent: A lush, romantic floral fragrance with notes of rose, lily, marigold and orange blossom, resting on a warm base of sandalwood and vetiver.
Why it’s iconic: Marketed as “the fragrance of a thousand flowers,” Beautiful is known for its classic, elegant femininity.
Availability: Not only can you still purchase a bottle of the iconic scent, but you can have it engraved making it the perfect gift for that friend or family member who bathed in it back in the day!
Popular ‘80s perfume: Christian Dior Poison
Notes about the scent: A bold, darkly seductive blend of plum, tuberose, honey and spices with an intense amber and incense base.
Why it’s iconic: Poison was a game-changer in the ‘80s, famous for its daring, mysterious and unforgettable presence. Fun fact: The fragrance was created by perfumer Edouard Flechier, who found the right fragrance formula after testing around 800 scents!
Availability: It’s still available and comes in multiple iterations such as Hypnotic Poison and Pure Poison. In true nostalgic fashion, one reviewer on Nordstrom.com said, “I purchased this perfume for my high school sweetheart..she wore it religiously 20 yrs ago. We have just rekindled our relationship, so I figured why not.”
Popular ‘80s perfume: Calvin Klein Obsession
Notes about the scent: A warm, spicy oriental fragrance with notes of amber, vanilla, musk and exotic spices.
Why it’s iconic: Its sensual and powerful scent became synonymous with passion and the ‘80s aesthetic. And who can forget the steamy yet creepy ads that jump-started Kate Moss’ career or the kooky, film-noir-esque commercials that were expertly parodied by Saturday Night Live.
Availability: You can still find it on Amazon for less!
Popular ‘80s perfume: Yves Saint Laurent Paris
Notes about the scent:: A powdery, romantic floral bouquet of rose, violet and mimosa, softened by sandalwood and musk.
Why it’s iconic: Paris captures the elegance and charm of Parisian romance in a bottle, meant to leave you feeling like you took a trip to the City of Love without ever leaving your home.
Availability: It’s still available for purchase at Amazon and Walmart.
Popular ‘80s perfume: Cacharel Anaïs Anaïs
Highlights about the scent: A delicate, fresh white floral fragrance featuring lily, hyacinth, jasmine and musk.
Why it’s iconic: One of the most famous youthful floral perfumes, often associated with first perfumes. This fragrance is a lighter, more angelic option among the decade’s potent perfumes. If you were in your teens in the ‘80s, this was a fixture in your fragrance arsenal.
Availability: You can still pick up a bottle today and it makes a great gift for the young women in your life!
Popular ‘80s perfume: Prescriptives (now Clinique) Calyx
Notes about the scent:: A unique fruity-green fragrance with grapefruit, guava, passionfruit and a floral heart, finishing with a soft mossy base.
Why it’s iconic: One of the first to blend fresh tropical fruit with green and floral elements, Calyx was a trailblazer and another deviant from the deeper, more spicy options of the ‘80s.
Availability: Yes, it’s still available today, but now under Clinique.
Popular ‘80s perfume: Fracas by Robert Piguet
Notes about the scent: A luxurious and powerful tuberose-dominant white floral with jasmine, orange blossom and creamy sandalwood.
Why it’s iconic: The ultimate tuberose fragrance—it’s considered one of the most opulent florals. Also interesting? Martha Stewart is a fan and ‘80s-icon Madonna is said to have based her own fragrance on this scent that her mother used to wear. Fracas was around long before the ‘80s, but its blend of floral and woodsy notes made it prime for a comeback during the decadent decade.
Availability: You can still purchase a bottle today.
Popular ‘80s perfume: Yves Saint Laurent Opium
Notes about the scent: An intense spicy-oriental blend with clove, myrrh, patchouli, cinnamon and deep balsamic notes.
Why it’s iconic: Controversial at launch, Opium became a symbol of exotic, daring luxury.
Availability: While it is still available to get today, it has been reformulated.
How to find dupes of your favorite ‘80s perfumes
Don’t see your favorite on the list, it’s there but way too pricy or you can’t find it in stores? Try these tricks:
1. Look for shared fragrance families
If you can’t find a direct dupe, look for perfumes (both modern and vintage) that share the same dominant fragrance family and key notes as the ‘80s perfume you love. Many belonged to specific fragrance families like “oriental,” “chypre” or “big floral.” Dupe creators like Dossier (who makes a Black Opium dupe) often focus on replicating the key notes and overall feel of these families.
2. Try “inspired-by” fragrances
Many smaller fragrance houses and even some larger retailers create “inspired-by” scents. These explicitly state that they are trying to capture the essence of a well-known fragrance, often without using the original brand name. A few sites to try are ALT. Fragrances, Oil Perfumery, Generic Perfumes, Alexandria Fragrances and Montagne Parfums.
Once you find a potential dupe, read reviews from other users to see how closely it matches the original and what the longevity and sillage (how far the scent projects) are like.
3. Search online communities and forums
Fragrance enthusiasts online are a great resource for finding dupes. Websites like Fragrantica, Reddit’s r/fragrance and various perfume forums often have threads dedicated to identifying affordable alternatives for classic scents. Simply use keywords like “[Perfume Name] dupe,” “[Perfume Name] alternative,” or “similar to [Perfume Name]” on fragrance websites and forums.
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