Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

80’s kids…does this smell make you feel nostalgic, what am I being reminded off? (Pic included)

26 replies

Andontothenextproblem · 21/09/2023 15:27

I love the smell of this shower gel because every time I use it makes me feel very nostalgic of my childhood but why?!

I think it might be something to do with Christmas and did originally think it might have been the the little orange shaped soaps from The Body Shop as I had one (and a raspberry) in my stocking every year however the scent isn’t quite the same…

Id be interested to know if anyone else feels the same when using it.

80’s kids…does this smell make you feel nostalgic, what am I being reminded off? (Pic included)
OP posts:
squareyedannie · 21/09/2023 15:28

Is it the fake citrus smell that takes you back?

EvilElsa · 21/09/2023 15:37

I don't know if anyone else has this one, but do you remember the smell of wrapping paper in the 80s and 90s? I can't even describe what it smells of -I get a waft every now and again from an older book or magazine. Reminds me buying Chrsitmas wrap from the little pop up stands you'd get in town in December which had individual sheets, gift bags and cards. That smell sends me right back and I absolutely love it. I could be sitting on grandparents swirly brown carpet picking a quality street chocolate out of the glass jar and waiting to open the presents under their plastic tree with the all those great 80s decorations.

Original poster
Andontothenextproblem · 21/09/2023 15:44

@EvilElsa ahh that’s so lovely, I know what you mean.

For me it’s the slightly damp/dusty smell of the Christmas decorations and stockings when they came out of the loft and the almost medical smell that new plastic toys used to have when you 1st opened them, both were what I imagined the North Pole smelling like and like you if I get a whiff I’m taking right back.

OP posts:
BlueLaLoo · 21/09/2023 15:45

I get it OP. 80s child here.

The smell of imperial leather takes me back to my grandparents bathroom as that was the soap they had. I also have the same reaction to the smell of Pears soap.

And Vosene shampoo. Yardley (?!) products and the smell of talc. My grandmother had a sort of powder puff with talc in it.

And Battenberg cakes, but I never see those anymore!

Graciebobcat · 21/09/2023 15:46

No but original Imperial Leather soap does take me back.

To a time of squeaky, dry skin, but yeah.

Uggtrending · 21/09/2023 15:46

I got this from Asda as I did an online shop. I wasn't keen it reminds me of M&S Royal jelly!

fiddlesticksandotherwords · 21/09/2023 15:52

BlueLaLoo · 21/09/2023 15:45

I get it OP. 80s child here.

The smell of imperial leather takes me back to my grandparents bathroom as that was the soap they had. I also have the same reaction to the smell of Pears soap.

And Vosene shampoo. Yardley (?!) products and the smell of talc. My grandmother had a sort of powder puff with talc in it.

And Battenberg cakes, but I never see those anymore!

Mr Kipling for Battenberg cake, and they do mini ones as well.

PhilMitchellsleatherbomber · 21/09/2023 15:53

Love a bit of Battenburg.

SirChenjins · 21/09/2023 15:57

French Fancies here - my grandparents kept the cakes in a drawer in their spare room and it was the biggest treat getting one. Yellow or chocolate, never the pink ones - yuck.

YY to Imperial Leather. I still use it and it takes me right back to my childhood in the 70s and early 80s with every whiff.

Minttee · 21/09/2023 16:04

The original Nivea in the blue round pot. Always reminds me of my nan, transports me immediately back to the 80s and being in her house.

LaffTaff · 21/09/2023 16:11

Impulse hint of musk is mine. It takes me back like no other scent - I don't use it as intended now (more of a Coco Mademoiselle girl now 😂), I buy it just to spray in my bedroom now and again, spirits me right back to 1989 (Just Seventeen mag, denim dungarees and spiral perms 😄).

poorbuthappy · 21/09/2023 16:13

Max factor pressed face power reminds me of my Nan.

Dozycuntlaters · 21/09/2023 16:32

It's Pears soap that takes me right back. I buy it sometimes as it reminds me of my great aunt. Elnette hairspray is another one, a massive 80's reminder.

LaffTaff · 21/09/2023 16:44

Dozycuntlaters · 21/09/2023 16:32

It's Pears soap that takes me right back. I buy it sometimes as it reminds me of my great aunt. Elnette hairspray is another one, a massive 80's reminder.

It was Insette hairspray my friends and I used - it was like spray glue 😂

Sunsept · 21/09/2023 16:53

Oil of Ulay, the pink cream.

islamann · 21/09/2023 17:40

I bought some Wrights Coal Tar liquid soap a few weeks back. It reminds me of my grandparents house.

S910441 · 21/09/2023 17:43

I can't smell it. Is it meant to be scratch and sniff?

Laiste · 21/09/2023 17:52

Oh i bought this recently after sniffing it in Tesc.

Pear Soap 🙂

My nan always used it.

Laiste · 21/09/2023 17:53

Pear 🙄 PearS

Bbq1 · 21/09/2023 18:12

EvilElsa · 21/09/2023 15:37

I don't know if anyone else has this one, but do you remember the smell of wrapping paper in the 80s and 90s? I can't even describe what it smells of -I get a waft every now and again from an older book or magazine. Reminds me buying Chrsitmas wrap from the little pop up stands you'd get in town in December which had individual sheets, gift bags and cards. That smell sends me right back and I absolutely love it. I could be sitting on grandparents swirly brown carpet picking a quality street chocolate out of the glass jar and waiting to open the presents under their plastic tree with the all those great 80s decorations.

Yes! Thar smell!

Sammi89 · 21/09/2023 18:13

Graciebobcat · 21/09/2023 15:46

No but original Imperial Leather soap does take me back.

To a time of squeaky, dry skin, but yeah.

Yes the soap and the sticker that lasts forever lol

ThisIsTrifficult · 21/09/2023 18:15

I can't think of the smell of what you've pictured op, but I have the smol spray tablets sent.
When I first sprayed that, bloody hell! It took me right back to my Majorca holiday in 1988! I use it most days and I thought it would wear off, but nope. It's wonderful!

OrangesLemonsLimes · 21/09/2023 18:36

For me, it’s the Impulse “Captivation” (pink tin) which is no longer made.

Also, Opium perfume by YSL which was worn by my aunt and really suited her. I found it too heavy for me.

Silverfoxette · 30/01/2024 22:00

atrixo hand cream, reminds me of my mother and Fairy original washing up liquid, it’s like a comfort smell for me

OnlyTheBravest · 30/01/2024 22:21

All the above and Body shop - White Musk or Versace Red Jeans