First memory of Bath & Body Works

My first memory of Bath & Body Works was visiting the store in my local New Jersey mall when I was a tween.

Bath & Body Works still captivates

Now, some 20 years later, Bath & Body Works is still captivating the attention of tweens, teens, and adults due to its booming presence on TikTok.

Affordable entry point for fragrance

Bath & Body Works’ affordable scents have always been a great entry point into fragrance for burgeoning beauty lovers.

Modern consumer wants expensive smell

But the current lineup has been elevated to match the tastes of the modern consumer who wants to smell expensive.

Decision paralysis with hundreds of scents

However, with hundreds of scents to choose from, it’s easy to get decision paralysis, even with the affordability.

Best overall perfume

Bath & Body Works In the Stars Fine Fragrance Mist is the best overall perfume at $18.

“Before I owned 200+ perfumes for my job, I owned just one: Bath and Body Works In the Stars, a sparkling, fresh jasmine scent that made me feel sophisticated and chic, all for less than $20.”

Best light perfume

Bath & Body Works Cashmere Amber Eau de Parfum is the best light perfume at $40.

“My taste in fragrance has shifted recently, I no longer yearn for a commanding scent that announces me before I enter the room. Instead, I love a soft whisper of scent that feels intimate and personal, and that’s exactly what I get with Cashmere Amber.”

Most iconic perfume

Bath & Body Works Japanese Cherry Blossom Fine Fragrance Mist is the most iconic perfume at $18.

“I’m 99% sure this was the first fragrance I ever owned, and it’s forever engrained in my memory.”

Best vanilla perfume

Bath & Body Works Warm Vanilla Sugar Fine Fragrance Mist is the best vanilla perfume at $18.

“Vanilla this, vanilla that. In a world where vanilla feels so overdone, and oftentimes, sickly sweet, this scent reminds me how incredible vanilla can be.”

Best luxury perfume

Bath & Body Works Midnight Rouge Eau de Parfum is the best luxury perfume at $75.

“I’m always amazed by how many compliments I get when I wear Midnight Rouge. The scent is lush and dramatic.”

Best layering perfume

Bath & Body Works Imperfect Beauty Fine Fragrance Mist is the best layering perfume at $19.

“Imperfect Beauty is a complicated scent that combines clean-smelling white florals with the grounding muskiness of cashmere in a way that still feels really fresh and breezy.”

Why trust Cosmopolitan

Mary Honkus is a beauty contributor with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories.

Sam Neibart's background

Sam Neibart is a freelance writer and editor who has been covering beauty for nearly a decade.