I Tried Every Bath & Body Works Perfume—These 6 Earned a Permanent Spot in My Fragrance Wardrobe

One Cosmo editor says: “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. Even to this day, I love this as a layering scent or on clean skin after the shower. It's not intense or cloying, but it does have a surprisingly good sillage for a body mist."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITORFeatures at a glanceFragrance typeBody mistKey notesPinkcurrant, starflower, jasmine absolute, sandalwoodOne Cosmo editor says: “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. A few spritzes swaths my skin in a delicate chiffony mix of bright mandarin, cozy amber, and light musk. I also love that it’s safe for sensitive skin. Even my friends who aren’t a big fan of fragrance love this.”—MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITORFeatures at a glanceFragrance typeEau de parfumKey notesMandarin, almond blossom, cashmere musk, amberAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowOne Cosmo editor says: “I’m 99% sure this was the first fragrance I ever owned, and it’s forever engrained in my memory. There’s something so simple and nostalgic about the floral-woodsy scent, yet it’s totally timeless too. Airy cherry blossoms are swirled with sweet mimosa petals and jasmine, along with hints of Asian pear that give the composition a juicy kick. As it wears it lightly warms my skin with sandalwood, too. No matter how old I get, this will always remain an all-time favorite scent.”—MHFeatures at a glanceFragrance typeBody mistKey notesCrisp pear, Japanese cherry blossom, mimosa petals, creamy sandalwoodOne Cosmo editor says: “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. This feels like glowing golden hour wrapped in cozy warmth. Coconut milk and jasmine keep things light and creamy before the star of the show (vanilla, duh) appears. Tinges of warm musk, sugar crystals, and sandalwood add depth. This truly is a vanilla masterpiece.”—MHFeatures at glanceFragrance typeBody mistKey notessheer muguet, white orchid, vanilla absolute, sandalwoodAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowOne Cosmo editor says: “I’m always amazed by how many compliments I get when I wear Midnight Rouge. The scent is lush and dramatic. Sparkling pear intertwines with heady jasmine and rich, musky amber for an aroma that exudes opulence. People are always surprised when I tell them it’s Bath & Body Works! This perfume rivals a lot of my designer scents, no joke.”—MHFeatures at a glanceFragrance typeEau de parfumKey notesBright pear, jasmine absolute, amber muskOne Cosmo editor says: “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. I think it can pull this off due to the greenish rhubarb that keeps everything light with its natural tartness. The fragrance really goes all over the place between scent categories, which not only makes it ambiguous in an appealing way, but also means it mixes well with other perfumes, if you’re into scent layering. I like it best for daytime, but will spritz something sultrier over it for evening to create something unforgettable.”—SAM NEIBART, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY WRITERFeatures at a glanceFragrance typeBody mistKey notesSweet rhubarb, white florals, radiant cashmereAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowWhy trust Cosmopolitan?Mary Honkus is a beauty contributor for Cosmopolitan with over eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories. She is an authority in all beauty categories, but has a sweet spot for fragrance with a collection of over 600 scents. While researching for this story, she tested dozens Bath & Body Works scents.Sam Neibart is a freelance writer and editor who has been covering beauty in digital and print for nearly a decade. She reports on the ever-evolving landscape of trends, tastemakers, and technology in the industry and loves nothing more than helping friends and readers discover the beauty products that are best for them. Previously, she held editorial positions at NYLON and Harper’s BAZAAR. She currently lives in Manhattan and biannually experiences the strong urge to dye her hair a new color.Mary Honkus is a freelance writer who covers beauty, home, fashion, health, and wellness (just call her a jack of all trades!). She has held staff roles at Real Simple, People, and InStyle, and her bylines can be found in numerous other publications. When she's not testing the latest and greatest products, she can be found chilling on her Hell's Kitchen rooftop, checking out NYC's hottest new restaurants, or recording her podcast Good Trouble NYC. Follow her on Instagram.Sam Neibart is a freelance writer and editor who has been covering beauty over digital and print for nearly a decade. She reports on the ever-evolving landscape of trends, tastemakers, and technology in the industry and loves nothing more than helping friends and readers discover the beauty products that are best for them. Previously, she held editorial positions at NYLON and Harper’s BAZAAR. She currently lives in Manhattan and biannually experiences the strong urge to dye her hair a new color. Follow her on Instagram.