Now You Can Smell Like Orange Gelée 365 Days a Year

In this article, you’ll learn:

• What inspired the creators to develop five unique scents honoring a century-old legend.
• A detailed breakdown of every composition: from classic spices to tropical mango.
• Personal testing experience and an honest ranking of the new releases from our reviewer.
• How to snag the iconic product at its nineties-era price point.

I’m constantly running into little reminders of my mom: when I spot a top in her favorite bright lime green at the mall, when I accidentally notice a knitting book on a friend’s shelf, and every single morning when I put on my Kiehl’s Musk — her signature scent. Fragrance is my most powerful way to remember her, and that also goes for her beloved Bain de Soleil Orange Gelée, which I’ve kept close by ever since she passed away. One whiff of that citrusy “sunscreen” would instantly transport me back to summers by her pool, and I’ve always dreamed of a perfume version I could wear every day, reports MODISTA.

Luckily, the brand Vacation has once again answered my prayers regarding this cult-classic product. In 2024, the retro-style sunscreen brand made many dreams come true by reviving Orange Gelée, which had been discontinued by its parent company back in 2019. The brand gathered a panel of die-hard fans of the original formula to perfectly recreate the scent and texture of the favorite product while bumping the SPF from 4 to 30. And now, just in time for the product’s 100th anniversary, the brand is launching the 100th Anniversary Orange Gelée Fragrance Collection — a set of five scents inspired by the classic gel, each crafted by different perfumers based on their personal memories of the icon.

The Anniversary Collection of a Cult Scent

I found out that each of the fragrances was inspired by the original product, which has been around since 1925, when it was first created to achieve a “Saint-Tropez style tan.” However, the real popularity boom for Bain de Soleil Orange Gelée hit in the 70s and 80s, which is where that nostalgic attachment so many people feel comes from.

“Our mission at Vacation is to create sun care for vacation that people actually look forward to putting on,” Dakota Green, founding partner of Vacation Inc., told Byrdie about the product’s 2024 comeback. “Orange Gelée is a product that absolutely embodies that unique sense of joy we strive to create with all our sunscreens.”

Green adds: “When you talk to long-time fans of the product, there’s an immediate spark in their eyes as they recall its luxurious texture and its time-traveling scent. Couple that with the flood of messages from our customers demanding its return — it was clear the iconic product was pulled from production way too early! It felt like destiny and exactly the kind of thing we should champion.”

The fragrance collection, dropping April 16, kicks off the brand’s month-long “100 Years of Gelée” campaign. Throughout the month, all Orange Gelée purchases will be 20% off. Then, on April 30, a full-size 30ml bottle of Gelée Eau de Toilette will debut, followed by a celebratory toast at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles on May 7. Wrapping up the festivities is Gelée Week at Target from April 26 to May 7, where shoppers can grab Orange Gelée at its 90s price — just $9.99 USD.

The Five Faces of the Legendary Orange Gelée

The work on the fragrance collection was curated by Arquiste founder Carlos Huber, who personally hand-picked five perfumers. Each was tasked with creating their own version of the beloved scent based on their personal memories. The set includes five travel-sized bottles. The core is Gelée Originale, which replicates the Vacation Orange Gelée scent as closely as possible. The remaining interpretations allow the perfumers to add their own spin on the classic.

“Few scents are as recognizable as Orange Gelée. Revisiting it in the form of an Eau de Toilette was a rare privilege,” says perfumer Dana Schmitt, who created Gelée Originale. “We worked with the Orange Gelée advisory board — a group of original enthusiasts — to capture the essence of the fragrance while modernizing it slightly for everyday wear.” Just like the sunscreen gel, notes of Gelée Originale include bergamot, clove, saffron, sandalwood, and patchouli.

Next in the lineup is Gelée Azure, crafted by Rodrigo Flores-Roux. It’s a lighter take on the original with notes of orange zest, neroli, orange blossom, and carnation. “I grew up in Mexico City, and the smell of Orange Gelée filled me with dreams of Saint-Tropez — sunshine, freedom, and joy,” Flores-Roux explains. “I wanted to infuse those memories into the original, conveying that spirit through notes that suggest summer adventures — playful and liberating.”

Gelée Minérale, created by Christine Christie, highlights the beachy aspect of the scent with notes of sea salt, bergamot, driftwood, sage, and a sun-dried linen accord. Christie was inspired by “the essence of a summer spent between New York, the Caribbean, and Capri.”

Designed by Caroline Sabas, Gelée Vanille adds a sweet twist to the spicy scent. “Orange Gelée is inseparable from my childhood in Cannes — the warmth of bronzed skin and the glow of Riviera evenings,” she explains. This translated into notes of orange zest, vanilla absolute, pink pepper, ylang-ylang, and amber.

Rounding out the collection is the fragrance furthest from the original — Gelée Tropiques. “It’s the embodiment of my dreams of Cartagena — sun-drenched markets, lush gardens, and an abundance of tropical fruits,” says perfumer Adriana Medina. A mango accord, monoi oil, orange blossom, and toasted tonka bean add a succulent tropical vibe.

My Honest Review and Ranking

I was stoked to hear about this launch — getting not just one Orange Gelée scent, but five! My favorites totally surprised me. I expected to love Gelée Originale the most, given my history with the product, but I’d actually place it at number three. It really does smell exactly like the original gel, but it’s a bit spicier than what I usually go for in a perfume. I’ll definitely wear it occasionally and I’m glad to have it on hand for the nostalgia.

My top picks were Gelée Tropiques and Gelée Azure. I’m not usually big on fruity scents, so I was surprised that Tropiques won me over — it’s not too sweet. It smells juicy and bright, and the monoi oil gives it that classic “sunscreen” vibe that ties everything together. I can’t wait to wear it all summer long.

Gelée Azure will be my daily go-to. It takes all those familiar notes — clove, bergamot — and softens them with light florals. It smells like catching the scent of the gel on a breeze mixed with flowers from my mom’s garden. I haven’t tried layering it with Kiehl’s Musk yet, but I imagine it’ll be a killer combo.

If you’ve got an emotional connection to Orange Gelée like I do, you should grab this collection ASAP, because I have a feeling it’s going to sell out. Even if you don’t have a personal story but love retro products and inventive perfumes, it’s definitely worth a shot.

Advice from MODISTA

• If you want maximum longevity, try applying Gelée Originale to your pulse points immediately after using the matching sunscreen gel.
• Look into Gelée Azure if you’re looking for a light office-friendly option that won’t overwhelm colleagues but leaves a lovely summer trail.

Do you have that one scent that instantly takes you back to childhood or your warmest summer vacations? Share this article with a friend who also loves the retro beauty aesthetic!

ℹ️ REFERENCE

Vacation is an American sunscreen brand that became famous for its vibrant 80s aesthetic and the use of nostalgic imagery in its marketing. The company specializes in creating products that turn sun protection into a pleasant ritual. You can learn more about the brand and its philosophy on the manufacturer’s official website 🌐.