So Many Scents, So Little Time
Even if you can’t see it, you know Bath & Body Works when you smell it! First opened in 1990, this fragrant favorite has brought us some incredible scents. We’ve been treated to candles, body lotions, and hand sanitizer alike…but not every concoction left a good note in our nose. It’s time we explored some of the best and worst ideas they’ve ever had.
1. Japanese Cherry Blossom
This might ruffle some petals from the tree, but we can’t stand this scent. We know it’s a popular item, but it’s just as widely disliked—and for good reason. What started as a light, floral scent underwent some sort of heinous change in recent years, leaving behind a warm, artificial smell reminiscent of men’s cologne.
2. Strawberry Poundcake
We love strawberries and we love pound cake, but the two don’t really belong in a spray. What sounded like a good idea on paper didn’t fly with frequent spritzers, and many were left with a heavily artificial scent that was sickly sweet to boot.
3. Mahogany Teakwood
Have you ever walked into Abercrombie & Fitch? Then you’ve smelled this one. It’s meant to include notes of black teakwood and lavender, but all we can smell is the immediate musk of those darkly lit halls.
Priscilla Du Preez artographybyp on Wikimedia
4. Candied Maple Bacon
We’d love to eat candied maple bacon, not smell like it! Though some people raved about this scent, we’re with the nay-saying crowd; it was far too strong, especially as a candle, and the overly-smoky aroma only gave us a headache.
5. Paris Cafe
There’s nothing better than a cafe in Paris, but it’s hard to capture that experience in a bottle. Bath & Body Works tried, but instead, we got more of a burned coffee bean smell. Maybe burned pastries if you sniffed hard enough, which we definitely didn’t.
6. Dark Kiss
Dark Kiss was everywhere for a while, and we’ll admit that we almost fell for the hype. It was hard not to get pulled in by the raspberry and rose combo—one that proved too strong for most noses. Those vanilla bean hints seemed like a perfect match for the cooler months, but the whole thing swung and missed.
7. Pineapple Pizza
Talk about too much of a good thing. Thankfully, this one was contained in a candle and not in spray bottles, but that didn’t help any. The idea was to bring that classic pizzeria scent to our homes, leaving us with fresh dough and basil that wafted through the apartment. If you want to smell like oregano all day, be our guest!
8. One in a Million
It’s hard to feel like a million bucks with so many floral notes! Jasmine, gardenia, and tuberose overpowered bottles, while the pink pepper added a strangely spicy note that didn’t mesh well. Despite the divide, this line earned a loyal following before getting pulled from shelves.
9. Cactus Blossom
Speaking of spicy florals, Cactus Blossom tried hard to bring both worlds together. However, the citrus and desert cactus flower petals only collided in a confusing scent that leaned on the woodsy side. They tried to save it with a pop of vanilla, but we couldn’t get on board.
10. Black Cherry Merlot
Black Cherry Merlot is an anomaly; though it doesn’t smell great as a spray, it somehow worked wonders as a hand sanitizer and candle. Maybe that’s why the spray was discontinued, though the scent lingers in stores! It can be a little strong, but warm vanilla notes paired with dark raspberry work well in just about any home.
Okay, now that we have some duds out of the way, let's dive into the best smells around!
1. Winter Candy Apple
Some say this one’s too sweet, but we can’t resist that candy apple call during the holidays. There’s not much to this one: it’s a sweet apple scent that took over stores at Christmas, hanging around for years after its release. There’s a touch of rose and a sprinkle of cinnamon to give it a slightly woodsy finish, too.
2. Sweet Whiskey
Whiskey doesn’t smell very good on its own, but Bath & Body Works found a way to bottle it! It’s akin to men’s cologne, filled with amber and red berry notes that give it a sweeter quality. It works as a candle, and it definitely works as a spray—especially since it isn’t overpowering.
3. Moonlight Path
Sandalwood, jasmine, lavender, vanilla…what more could you ask for? Moonlight Path had it all, offering perfume-lovers the best blend of sweet and warm. It wasn’t too strong, either, which only made it better. Some people hate it, but we’re not among them!
4. Sweet Pea
Say what you want about Sweet Pea—there’s no denying its timeless appeal. This one’s been around for years, filled with freesia, white pear, and raspberry notes that complement each other beautifully. Best of all, it’s a nostalgic scent that takes us back to the good ol’ days.
5. Champagne Toast
Upon first sniff, Champagne Toast seemed a bit much. It had all the good notes, like nectarine and berries, but it also had champagne and vanilla, which made it a strong, sweet scent. Well, it only took one spritz to change our minds! Above all else, this scent was classy with a fruity punch—and perfect for any season.
6. Mad About You
Oh, how we miss this one! First of all, Mad About You had some of the cutest packaging around. Second of all, it brought a terrific blend of sweet notes: black currant, peony, and vanilla. Throw in a little patchouli and you’ve got yourself a winner.
7. Sensual Amber
Bath & Body Works has tried to recreate it, but nothing will ever top the warm amber and pear blossom notes of this legendary scent. It was the perfect, soft aroma that carried vanilla and a touch of sandalwood. You won’t see it on shelves now, but we’d give it a lot to bring it back.
8. Gingham
We know what you’re thinking. “What could gingham possibly smell like?” Leave it to Bath & Body Works to provide an answer! This iconic scent is nothing short of fresh, with notes of blue freesia, white peach, and clementine in the bottle. Oh, and the packaging is great, too.
9. Vanilla Bean Noel
Vanilla Bean Noel is a little polarizing; all that vanilla doesn’t exactly work with everyone’s chemistry. But for the lucky ones it does? You’re treated to a delightfully warm blend of vanilla, caramel, and sugar cookies. It’s like the holidays in a bottle.
10. Pretty as a Peach
This classic Bath & Body Works scent delivered exactly what it promised: fruit! Every summer, you bet we sprayed this mix of white nectarine, yellow peach, and purple freesia all over our clothes. It’s a shame that it’s retired, but we’ll never forget the freshness.
