Our Ultimate List Of Classic Scents From Our High School & College Days

Polo Ralph Lauren

"My cologne was Ralph Lauren Polo. I was trying to be preppy during my college days in the States. I dressed in Ralph Lauren clothes so I figured I would use his fragrance for men to complete the look. Haha!" - Raul Manzano, Metro Society Editor-in-Chief

Cacharel Anaïs Anaïs

"I grew up trying perfume from my mom’s dresser so my tastes in perfume range from more adult scents even if I was just in high school. One I’ve had fond memories of is Cacharel’s Anaïs Anaïs EDT, an ultra-feminine scent with top notes of white floral, orange blossom, and lavender; middle notes that are a bit musky and full-bodied, and base notes of darker scents like patchouli and sandalwood—much like a bouquet of flowers! It reminds me of afternoons spent playing dress-up with mom’s clothes in her boudoir." - Geolette Esguerra, Metro Editor-in-Chief

Estée Lauder Pleasures

"When I finally had a chance to buy my own scent, I gravitated towards Estée Lauder’s Pleasures. I was attracted to the gorgeous bottle—pristine and pure clear bottle with a matte silver cap. It was refreshing yet delicate, optimistic yet still with restraint. It’s a sparkling floral with notes of lilies, white peonies, and jasmine. I got it in Duty Free Philippines (the place where most of us ‘90s kids bought perfumes) as soon as it was available, and it still reminds me of our naive and hopeful aspirations in high school. Our dreams were still up in the air, and we spent so much time with our friend! I hung out with a group of girls and I knew I found my tribe. Twenty years later, while we don’t see each for lunch and recess anymore, and while we’re in different parts of the world (America, Africa, Dubai, and Europe)—we’re all still the same young, ambitious girls who enjoyed life to the fullest." - Geolette Esguerra, Metro Editor-in-Chief

Thierry Mugler Angel

"I had always been a big fragrance collector, I mark my milestones with perfume, so I remember them vividly. They help me express myself. In college, I was very adventurous with my choice of clothes: There was a time when I’d cross-dress with my then-boyfriend (and now-husband) Aurelio, or when I’d wear fluffy orange slippers to a demonstration along Edsa, or when I’d wear a Kimono to go to drafting class. The perfume that perfectly captured that part of my life is Angel by Mugler. As an architecture student, I was drawn to the gorgeous, multi-faceted bottle, and the complex scent that mixed cotton candy and coconut, jasmine, mandarin, and bergamot; with middle notes of nutmeg, and heavy base notes of patchouli, vanilla, amber, musk, and sandalwood. It was mysterious, it was electrifying, and it seemed to express the complexity of being a writer and a budding design creative. It was a big, sensuous scent, with an almost overpowering sensuality that you can’t seem to forget." - Geolette Esguerra, Metro Editor-in-Chief

Bench Bambino

(1/2) "I always go for light colognes even until now. It's fun to experiment with scents, but I stick to a few variants because I find it amusing when people associate me with them. I've often been told I smell like a baby powder, and that's because I go for baby colognes." - Grace Libero-Cruz, People Editor

Bench Atlantis

(2/2) "When I was in high school and college, I never leave home without the Bench Bambino "It's Safe for Me" cologne. That 50ml bottle, which costs less than P100, is so small it fits easily in my vanity kit. I also really loved the Angel's Breath Cologne and Bench's Atlantis Body Spray." - Grace Libero-Cruz, People Editor

Johnson's Baby Cologne (Regular)

"Johnson's blue baby cologne! I would always have the local and imported version in a much bigger bottle which I would source from REGINA’S in Shoppesville, Greenhills. Apart from using it myself, I would spray it on my ‘lampin’ which served as my handkerchief. I loved the baby scent of this cologne which automatically takes me back to my high school days!" - Lala Ventura, Metro Channel Head

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue

"This potent perfume was my scent for the longest time. When I was young, I was so into it ‘cause it actually smells really good! Plus points ‘cause it really lasts long! Now that I’ve matured, I’ve grown out of it and I find it too strong for my taste now. I've evolved into subtler scents that almost feels like second skin. Not to discount Dolce & Gabbana’s scent though. It had served me well!" - Randz Manucom, Fashion Editor

Daisy by Marc Jacobs

(1/2) "When I think back to my signature scent in highschool and college, two fragrances easily come to mind. Daisy by Marc Jacobs and Ed Hardy Love & Luck by Christian Audigier. Both are quite floral and light (my main preference) but are so distinct and different. Daisy was the fresh, floral, woody fragrance I’d wear when I wanted to feel delicate and ladylike. I loved the bottle design, and it was one of my prized possessions in my “vanity” going through highschool and college. " - Justin Convento, Culture Editor

Ed Hardy Love & Luck

(2/2) "On the other hand, Ed Hardy Love & Luck was not a very popular scent and was really, I guess, my signature for this reason. (I didn’t like wearing the same thing as everyone growing up, I chalk this up to my nature of wanting to rebel or go against the grain. Haha!) It’s a floral gourmand fragrance that bursts with personality, confidence, and decisiveness… definitely something I’d spritz on (liberally) when I’d go clubbing or bar-hopping with friends, or when I know someone would be getting close enough to smell me! Haha! I loved its refreshing notes of Blood Orange, Bergamot, Nectarine, vodka, and Jasmine, grounded with base notes of musk, sandalwood, and patchouli. It doesn’t smell great on everyone but it matched well with my body chem and would stay on, even after hours and hours of wear." - Justin Convento, Culture Editor

Annick Goutal Eau de Charlotte

(1/2) "For me, the choice of one’s fragrance comes with self-expression. My high school years were spent in a place that had four seasons, so I also changed my fragrance depending on the season. It was Annick Goutal Eau de Charlotte in the fall and winter. In the summer months, I would switch to Annick Goutal’s Eau de Ciel that was light, floral and citrusy with violet leaves, neroli, iris and orange blossoms." - Anna Rosete, Living Editor

Mukki by Fresh

(2/2) "In college, I moved on to something much more fun by what was then a very young fragrance company, Fresh, that I discovered on a trip to Boston. Sadly, Mukki and Manon, my spring/summer and Autumn/Winter fragrance all throughout college are all but memories. Mukki was very subtle: milky, smelling a bit like burnt sugar, even. Manon was part of the Fleur de Chocolat range by Fresh. It had notes of fig, pear, chocolate, rosewood and cloves. It reminds me of all the time I spent in museums, galleries and libraries to finish my Art History thesis. I am still on the look out for something similar to these discontinued Fresh fragrances. I haven’t been lucky so far." - Anna Rosete, Living Editor

Victoria's Secret Noir Tease

(1/2) "J&J blue or purple but ever since kinder, this would be me go-to. I'd put this on after morning ceremonies, taking a shower, and eating. I'd be waiting for the school bus with MTV or MYX playing 'My Boo', 'Dilemma', or '7 Things'. I'd also use Victoria's Secret Noir Tease—it's youthful and sweet, and it reminds me of prom/debut days." - Bria Cardenas, Video Producer

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea

(2/2) "Elizabeth Arden Green Tea, an affordable and light scent, not overpowering, this really is my college fave! I remember I'd be covering for UAAP and I'd be using this. I also used Flower by Kenzo—it's fresh, powdery smell perfect for the UST heat, haha! It lasts the whole day!" - Bria Cardenas, Video Producer

Gap Dream

"My go-to scent back when I was in high school was Gap Dream, and if I’m being honest, I still use the cologne from time to time. Whenever I spray it on, it just brings back memories of when my only worries in the world were my family, friends and grades! It’s a fresh scent always puts me in a good mood!" - Cara Tirona, Deputy Managing Editor

Gendarme

"I remember sneaking in a few sprays from my dad before rushing to my carpool..." - Mari Santiago, Metro Business Manager

Gap Heaven

"I remember being so proud of owning an actual glass bottle of fragrance when I got this. It smells exactly like its name—heavenly! I'm one to always go for light, fresh scents, nothing dark or too dramatic, so this was perfect for my high school days." - Kate Paras-Santiago, Beauty & Wellness Editor

Angel's Love

"There's Angel's Breath, and then there's the luxe Angel's Love Eau de Toilette fragrance. It comes in a pretty, frosted cone-shaped bottle, and the scent is angelic, sweet, youthful, and timeless!" - Kate Paras-Santiago, Beauty & Wellness Editor

Clinique Happy

"This was the time I felt like I was already becoming more mature, LOL! Clinique Happy is one of the most iconic fragrances of my generation, and I remember the joy of finally owning one! I would wear it to "gimmicks" or mall hangouts." - Kate Paras-Santiago, Beauty & Wellness Editor

CK One

No one from the team answered CK One, but boy was it a staple back in the '90s! I remember that owning a bottle was the epitome of cool! A list of iconic '90s items would not be complete without this perfume.

Davidoff Cool Water

Back in high school, guys would often be drawn to Davidoff's Cool Water—an iconic fragrance for the men who liked smelling good and keeping up-to-date with their fragrances. Still a classic, and one to keep spritzing on, until today!

RALPH by Ralph Lauren

At some point, this fragrance was making the rounds in cool girls' bags in high school, right about the time when all things Ralph Lauren was the it thing. Remember those plaid leather bags and iconic Ralph Teddy Bear tees?

Nenuco

What's a classic high school/college kit without Nenuco? This iconic baby cologne is perhaps one of the best-smelling colognes out there, which makes so much sense, because up until now, we know of so many people who use Nenuco for their kids and themselves! Clean and fresh, just the way we like it!

Photo Credit: Pinterest

Bath & Body Works Cucumber Melon Body Splash

We're pretty sure you also went through a Bath & Body Works phase—hand washes, lotions, and of course, the iconic Body Splash! And the most memorable scent of our high school days? Cucumber Melon!