ComScore

I'm a Former Bath and Body Works Employee & These Are the 13 Most Underrated Scents I'd Recommend to Anyone

Put down the Sweet Pea

PureWow editors select every item that appears on this page, and some items may be gifted to us. Additionally, PureWow may earn compensation through affiliate links within the story. All prices are accurate upon date of publish. You can learn more about the affiliate process here.

underrated-bath-and-body-works-scents collage
Bath and Body Works

It’s no secret Bath and Body Works has a lengthy index of fragrances, and this can be a little intimidating when shopping. Where do you even begin? As a former employee, I know the struggle of stepping into a store, hoping to find a fragrance you’ll want to wear daily or to scent your home, only to be bombarded with dozens of aromas flooding your senses. It then becomes an odd challenge trying to pinpoint the exact one that’s right for you.

At first, amidst all the chaos, you may think it’s wise to go for the good ol’ reliable classics like Japanese Cherry Blossom or Warm Vanilla Sugar. They’re safe, and there’s always a high chance you’ll see them again. But truthfully, I’ve found it’s those underrated hard-hitters that turn out to be fan favorites—after some gentle prodding with a new recommendation (from moi, of course). So, if you need a push in the right direction with a new fragrance rec or two, look no further. From year-round staples to fresh arrivals for spring, here are 13 of the most underrated Bath and Body Works to snag and sniff in stores now.

Bath & Body Works Just Dropped the Sweetest Valentine's Day Collection with Sweethearts (and I *Need* That 3-Wick Candle)


1. In the Stars

If there’s one scent I’ll never shut up about, it’s In the Stars. I think it’s one of the brand's more mature offerings, with notes of starflower, sandalwood musk and sugared tangelo. It’s available in every form of body care and a few home products, and I always have to snag the three-wick when it’s available during the annual candle sale.

Fast Facts

  • Notes: starflower, sandalwood musk, sugared tangelo, white agarwood and radiant amber
  • Other Forms: fragrance mist, body cream, body lotion, glowtion body butter, body wash, moisturizing body wash, hand cream, sanitizer spray, pocketbac sanitizer, three-wick candle (seasonal), wallflower refill, room spray

2. Gingham Gorgeous

Gingham Gorgeous is a fresh-fruity take on the brand's best-selling Gingham scent. While the OG Gingham is milder and lighter, Gorgeous is a burst of fruitiness, with notes of pink strawberries, peach nectar and peony blossoms. It’s like spring in a bottle.

Fast Facts

  • Notes: pink strawberries, peach nectar and peony blooms
  • Other Forms: fragrance mist, body cream, body lotion, body wash, moisturizing body wash, sugar scrub, shampoo & conditioner, mini EDP

3. Laundry Day

I always recommend Laundry Day to anyone who wants a fresh-smelling space. What’s better than the smell of clean laundry? Boasting notes of eucalyptus and lavender, your normal laundry day will pale in comparison.

Fast Facts

  • Notes: crisp eucalyptus, lavender and fresh air
  • Other Forms: three-wick candle, wallflower refill, room spray, car fragrance refill

4. Mahogany Vanilla

Don’t attack me, but I never understood the hype behind Mahogany Teakwood. I mean, sure, it’s a great masculine scent that fills any room, no matter how big or small. But sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming. I find those woodsy scents blended with softer notes are much more inviting. Enter Mahogany Vanilla. It still has all of the great characteristics of a mahogany candle with a sweet undertone you’ll want to smell every day. Fair warning—that is not an exaggeration.

Fast Facts

  • Notes: warm vanilla, fresh bergamot and sweet sandalwood
  • Other Forms: three-wick candle, single wick candle, wallflower refill, gel handsoap

5. Springtime In Paris

This is hands down one of my favorite scents from Bath and Body Works, and I always recommend it to anyone who will listen. I’ve never experienced Paris during springtime, but if I did, I would be disappointed if it didn’t smell like this. Springtime In Paris has a mix of floral and fruit notes (peach, lotus and bergamot, primarily), resulting in a scent that’s crisp, refreshing and makes you feel like you’re strolling through the Tuileries garden (or so I presume).

Fast Facts

  • Notes: soft peach, lotus blossom and fresh bergamot
  • Other Forms: three-wick candle, single wick candle, wallflower refill, room spray

6. Endless Weekend

Endless Weekend is an oldie, but a goodie. With notes of mandarin, magnolia and coconut water, this fragrance smells more unique than it sounds. Upon sniffing it, you may get a whiff of the summer mandarin but also a hint of creaminess from the blue coconut water. The magnolia also packs a punch, but it all comes together beautifully, creating the perfect candle for spring.

Fast Facts

  • Notes: fresh summer mandarin, sun-kissed magnolia and blue coconut water
  • Other Forms: three-wick candle, wallflower refill, car fragrance refill, room spray

7. Laundry Room Lemon

Let’s talk lemon. BBW has quite a few fragrances dedicated to the punchy citrus—Sunshine & Lemon, Kitchen Lemon, etc. But I rarely see Laundry Room Lemon getting the praise it deserves. Before smelling, one might think it’ll smell too similar to cleaning supplies, but it’s actually the opposite. If anything, it resembles freshly sliced lemons on a clean surface. I advise placing it in a bathroom or kitchen to really let it shine.

Fast Facts

  • Notes: tart lemon, fresh air and salted lemongrass
  • Other Forms: wallflower refill, single wick candle, room spray

8. Whipped Honey & Vanilla

If there’s one thing Bath & Body Works excels at, it’s making a great gourmand. I would classify this scent as a more sophisticated gourmand due to the neroli note, which cuts the sweetness down ever so slightly. All you need is two spritzes to fill any room with a warm combo of honey and vanilla.

Fast Facts

  • Notes: honey drizzle, blossoming neroli and whipped vanilla bean
  • Other Forms: room spray, wallflower refill

9. White T-Shirt

There’s nothing like a freshly washed white tee to brighten up your day or your mood. In this case, it’s the room spray doing all the work for you, no load of laundry needed. Featuring notes of crisp pear, lavender cloud and soft sandalwood, your home has never smelled fresher.

Fast Facts

  • Notes: crisp pear, lavender cloud and soft sandalwood
  • Other Forms: room spray, foaming hand soap, sanitizer spray

10. Beautiful Day

While it’s rare to find this one in body care nowadays, you can still find the occasional home product to get your Beautiful Day fix. Reminiscent of a spring bouquet, it has notes of daisies, peonies and apples that’ll instantly make any day brighter, or dare I say, more beautiful.

Fast Facts

  • Notes: wild daisies, pink peonies and sun-kissed apples
  • Other Forms: foaming hand soap, hand soap refill, moisturizing pocketbac sanitizer

11. Cozy Vanilla Almond

Sure, Warm Vanilla Sugar comes in a hand soap, but why not reach for its cozy counterpart instead? Leaving your hands squeaky clean and engulfed in a nutty aroma of almond vanilla, washing your hands has never felt more luxurious.

Fast Facts

  • Notes: vanilla orchid, sugared almond and sweet musk
  • Other Forms: foaming hand soap, gel hand soap, pocketbac sanitizer

12. Fresh Rainfall

Nothing like the scent of fresh rainfall to ring in the spring season right. While we’re still weeks away from those rain-filled days ahead, how about tossing one of these in your tote while you wait? It’s a cool, refreshing scent you won’t mind slathering on throughout your day.

Fast Facts

  • Notes: aloe leaf, bergamot and chamomile water
  • Other Forms: pocketbac sanitizer, sanitizer spray

13. Peach Bellini

Honestly, the spray sanitizers themselves are an underrated pickup from the brand. They’re easy to use, they’re convenient and can fit into any small purse if needed. Peach Bellini is another Bath and Body Works throwback, now only available in select home care products, like this sanitizer. The fragrance isn’t cloying or annoyingly sweet; it’s simply the pleasant aroma of a refreshing peach.

Fast Facts

  • Notes: succulent white peach, sparkling prosecco and sweet orange
  • Other Forms: three-wick candle, single wick candle, foaming hand soap, pocketbac sanitizer, sanitizer spray


image0 e1722622798857

Editorial Assistant

  • Writes across several verticals including fashion, beauty, news and entertainment
  • Over three years of experience in the fashion industry
  • Studied Fashion Media (with a minor in Visuals for Social Media) at LIM College