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9 Millennial-Coded Perfumes That Smell Like Nostalgia and the Mall
Unlocking scent memories.
Getty Images / Courtesy of Brands / Byrdie
Key Takeaways
- From butterfly clips to Lisa Frank-inspired manicures, the Y2K resurgence is still going strong.
- In light of the trend, our millennial beauty editors are dusting off their favorite nostalgic fragrances, which include Stoked by Bethany Hamilton and Curious by Britney Spears.
As a millennial, I’m absolutely delighted by the resurgence in Y2K styles. First came the low-commitment return of colorful, Lisa Frank-esque Y2K manicures. Then came hairstyles like butterfly clips and micro braids. And all spring-long, our TikTok feeds have been flooded with early 2000s-inspired outfits (think: going-out tops, Uggs, and the capris of yore). And while I’m personally leaving my low-rise jeans behind, it’s fun to watch the time capsule be opened—and reinvented—in 2025.
It’s also more than a little nostalgic; the Y2K movement is unlocking memories I didn’t even know I had, like stealing my sister’s Olsen Twins T-shirt and rolling on way too much “try-me” body glitter in Victoria’s Secret. For our beauty editors, it’s also unlocking countless scent memories, which has us dusting off some of our favorite Y2K fragrances (in the name of research and nostalgia). So, what were the fragrances that defined the early 2000s, and which scents are worth revisiting during the Y2K mega-renaissance? Ahead, millennial beauty editors share their 10 favorite early-2000s fragrances that you can still try (and buy) in 2025.
Stoked Perfume by Bethany Hamilton
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“I was born and raised in a beach town, so naturally, famed surfer Bethany Hamilton was a staple of my town’s culture in 2003. Her autobiography, Soul Surfer, had a months-long wait at the local library, and her surfboard-shaped perfume, Stoked, was the official it-girl status symbol of my middle school. It smells like fresh pineapple juice with a hint of soft florals, and I’m still a sucker for the packaging. Even though I’m certain it’s expired, the bottle I’ve held onto is definitely going in my summer beach bag.” — Holly Rhue, editorial director
Bath & Body Works Cucumber Melon
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“The very first fragrance I ever tried in the late ’90s was Cucumber Melon from Bath & Body Works, and every time I wore it, I felt grown. It smelled like the perfect summer day—sweet yet fresh. Though it’s been years since I’ve last tried the retired scent, it will always remind me of trips to the local mall, where I’d always stop by Bath & Body Works for a quick spritz or pump of lotion.” — Jasmine Phillips, social media editor
Curious by Britney Spears
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“It was the launch of a lifetime. The second that crystal, potion-like bottle flashed across my screen at the absolute peak of Britney mania, my future was solidified as a beauty girl. This was the first ‘real’ perfume I ever owned (before that, it was just body mists and a dream), and in hindsight, I definitely overdid it. Curious is strong, you only need one spritz for scent that lasts (I’d like to apologize to everyone I shared a middle school locker room with), but the scent portfolio does hold up. Used sparingly, it’s a sweet, summery scent that always reminds me of Juicy Couture tracksuits and flat-ironing my bangs beyond repair—in a good way.” — Holly Rhue, editorial director
White Diamonds by Elizabeth Taylor
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“This perfume is my earliest fragrance memory, as it was my grandmother’s signature scent. It’s strong, sophisticated, and unforgettable, just like her. Inspired by Elizabeth Taylor’s lush gardens and dazzling diamonds, the hero notes include Amazon lily tuberose, and sandalwood. It’s definitely an old-school scent but it instantly makes me feel like I’m wrapped in my grandma’s arms whenever I get a whiff of it.” — Olivia Hancock, senior beauty editor
Juicy Couture Eau de Parfum
Juicy Couture
“Originally conceived as the scent Barbie would wear if she were an IRL person and not, well, plastic, the first Juicy Couture fragrance is a kaleidoscopic fruity white floral with notes of green apple and mandarin at the top, blooming into a rich tuberose heart and fading to a pretty, sweet-but-not heavy base of vanilla and woods—perfect for transitioning from a busy day as the president or a veterinarian to a night on the town with Ken and Skipper. The fragrance was launched in 2006 and became nearly as popular as the brand’s signature colorful sweatsuits, even winning a FiFi Fragrance of the Year award. The OG Juicy scent was quickly overshadowed by its neon pink sister Viva La Juicy, which is equally yummy, but it manages to feel as lush and lovely in 2023 as it did nearly 20 years earlier. After all, Barbie is forever.” — Kara Nesvig, news contributor
Kiehl’s Original Musk
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“My Grammy wore this fragrance for most of my life, and once she died, both my mom and I started wearing it. It smells so soft and clean, and feels like a warm hug every time I wear it. It’s a totally timeless scent, but makes me think of cozy hand-knit sweaters and Christmas time in Vermont.” — Bella Cacciatore, senior news editor
Marc Jacobs Daisy
Marc Jacobs
“By the time I reached high school, Daisy was the reigning scent to adorn your hand-me-down dresser. It’s a delightful, soft floral that I genuinely still pick up today; but at the time, it was all about the packaging (and the Marc Jacobs label). The year I got this for Christmas is a core memory that I’ll never forget. And today, you can enjoy countless iterations from the brand, including Daisy Dream, Daisy Wild, Daisy Love, and so many more.” — Holly Rhue, editorial director
Ralph Lauren Romance
Ralph Lauren
“Your mom probably wore it. You should wear it, too. Since its launch in 1998, Romance has been a megaseller—and for good reason. It’s just pretty, a light, glimmering watery floral. Sometimes you just want to wear something nice, something you don’t have to fuss over, and Romance is right there, ready to wrap its loving arms around you.” – Kara Nesvig, news contributor
Glow Eeu de Toilette by Jennifer Lopez
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“You won’t belive how many compliments I get when I wear this fragrance. JLo was totally on to something with this perfume’s soapy, sunny notes and delightful tacky bottle. It’s very early 2000s but without the sticky sweetness found in the era’s most popular scents. It makes me want to hit the beach with a heart-shaped tanning sticker and string bikini.” — Bella Cacciatore, senior news editor
Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/nostalgic-millennial-perfumes-11756146