Our Favorite Y2K Fragrances, All Grown Up—Is Yours On The List?

We all know that our sense of smell is directly linked to the memory centers of our brains. So if you grew up in the early 2000s, chances are you get a little nostalgic when you think of Cucumber Melon, Fantasy, and Love Spell. Nostalgia is great, but let’s face it: Nobody wants to smell like they did in middle school. It’s time for a new signature scent that reflects the woman you’ve become. 

To help you find your new favorite, here’s a list of the most popular perfumes from back in the day, each paired with a modern scent with similar notes. Keep in mind, these fragrances are not dupes. Rather, they’re inspired by our 2000s faves. In most cases, we consider them more refined, more nuanced, more elegant – just like you! Read on to see if your former go-to made the list.

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1. Loved Victoria’s Secret Love Spell? Try 5 Sens Life of the Party 

Ahh, Love Spell, a fruity blend of peach and cherry blossom – that probably reminds you more of a middle school dance than any orchard or field. If you gravitate toward fruity and seductive scents, try 5 Sens Life of the Party ($65). It still has fruit notes of juicy peach and blackcurrant, but it’s rounded off with earthy saffron and musky amber to give it a more refined essence.  

2. Loved Bath and Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar? Try Olivine Atelier Wolf Moon 

If you loved the sweet coziness of Warm Vanilla Sugar, you’ll adore Wolf Moon by Olivine Atelier ($64). With notes of amber, vanilla, and white musk, the fragrance strikes a balance between innocent and alluring – and it’s absolutely addictive.  

3. Loved Clinique Happy? Try Skylar Capri Summer 

Clinique gave us the clean girl aesthetic before it was even a thing, and this bright, fruity, floral is the epitome of the brand. I’m still a fan of Happy, but if it gives you slight ‘00s-mom vibes like it does for me, you may want to try a more updated version. Skylar’s Capri Summer ($90) is the perfect alternative with similar citrusy notes mingled with dewy florals that will leave you – well, happy.  

4. Loved Bath and Body Works Cotton Blossom? Try Clean Reserve Warm Cotton

Bath and Body Works Cotton Blossom was for the girls who wanted a scent that was fresh and feminine but not too floraly. If that’s still what you’re drawn to, give Clean Reserve Warm Cotton ($75) a try. The scent is equal parts crisp and comforting – just like freshly washed sheets billowing on a clothesline. 

5. Loved Britney Spears Fantasy? Try Ellis Brooklyn Sweet

We need to talk about the absolute trance Britney had us tweens in back in 2005 when Fantasy was released. The fragrance includes notes of kiwi, white chocolate, cupcake, and “woodsy.” Read that again and tell me she didn’t have us wrapped around her finger. 

Regardless of its unconventional scent notes, Fantasy was mega-popular when it was released, specifically among the preteen crowd. If that included you, try Ellis Brooklyn’s Sweet ($108). It includes playful notes of marshmallow and pear, combined with cozy cashmere and classic violet for a more modern and refined gourmand fragrance.  

6. Loved Dior J’adore? Try Replica On a Date 

Launched in 1999, Dior J’adore is a sexy and glamorous white floral fragrance that is just begging for a night out. That being said, the scent was probably a little too mature for most of us back when it was at its peak popularity, but who can forget its iconic gold bottle? 

If you’re looking for a modern fragrance that’s perfect for a night out with your guy, try Replica On a Date ($85). It has some of the same fragrance notes as J’adore (bergamot, rose, and musk), mingled with blackcurrant accord to recreate the aroma of a Provence vineyard at sunset. In other words, the perfect date.

7. Loved Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea? Try Ellis Brooklyn Florist 

With its soft pink color and sugary floral aroma, Bath and Body Works Sweet Pea was for the girly girls. Ellis Brooklyn’s Florist ($108) is a modern take on a floral perfume – think brighter and more nuanced. And it comes in a fun, bright pink bottle that’s ultrafeminine. 

8. Loved Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue? Try Dime Core Memory 

When I was in fifth grade, I gave each of my BFFs a teeny tiny bottle of Light Blue for Christmas and thought I was the picture of sophistication and elegance. At the time, Light Blue was an incredibly popular fresh and summery fragrance, meant to be reminiscent of the Sicilian coast. It still has a huge following today, which could explain why Dime’s Core Memory ($48) is such a success. 

Core Memory has many of the same notes as Light Blue – citrus, rose, jasmine, bamboo, and cedar – but it’s more affordable and uses cleaner ingredients than the designer brand. So perhaps consider this one less of a “glow-up,” and more of a “clean-up.”

9. Loved Bath and Body Works Cucumber Melon? Try Jo Malone London Earl Grey Cucumber

Cucumber Melon was for the girls who wanted a scent that was fresh – and a little funkier than your average floral or vanilla. If that’s still your vibe, try Jo Malone London’s Earl Grey Cucumber ($155). With notes of bright bergamot, crisp cucumber, and rich honey, it’s a fragrance that’s both refined and unexpected.  

10. Loved DKNY Be Delicious? Try Kayali Eden Juicy Apple 

All the cool girls at my middle school wore Be Delicious back in the day. The apple notes gave it a bold and fresh aroma, and came in a cute apple-shaped bottle. Since its launch in 2004, DKNY has come out with several reiterations of Be Delicious with various fruit and floral notes. If you love a fragrance that’s vibrant, playful, and a little sassy, Kayali’s Eden Juicy Apple ($89) might be your new signature scent.  

11. Loved Hollister Socal? Try Phlur Phloria

I lived nowhere near an ocean back in high school, but for whatever reason I was all in on Hollister’s coastal beach culture. That said, Socal was my go-to fragrance when I wanted to switch it up from my typical Bath and Body Works spray. (In fact, I still have a tiny bit left in a bottle tucked way back in my bathroom cabinet in case I’m ever in the mood to take a whiff down memory lane.)  

If you’re like me and still enjoy a fragrance that’s kind of beachy, kind of woodsy, and kind of floraly – try Phlur’s Phloria ($96). It will bring you back to your surfer girl wannabe era, but without all the raging hormones and teenage drama.  

12. Loved Bath and Body Works Brown Sugar and Fig? Try Maison Louis Marie No.13 Nouvelle Vague 

Bath and Body Works Brown Sugar and Fig is a more subdued fragrance than some of the other B&BW scents on this list, making it perfect for those who want a softer smell without the sweetness of vanilla. Fig has a distinct scent – a little earthy and a little fruity – and Maison Louis Marie’s No. 13 Nouvelle Vague ($93) captures it perfectly. Mixed with lily of the valley and tonka, it’s a refreshing and rich scent that smells like a late-summer evening. 

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