It’s moody. It is unapologetically heavy. Honestly, if you walked into a mall in 2010, you probably inhaled a cloud of it before you even saw the store's red-and-white checkered floor. We are talking about Bath and Body Works Dark Kiss. While other scents from that era—looking at you, Sweet Pea—felt like sunshine and rainbows, Dark Kiss was the edgy older sister. It was the scent for people who wanted to smell like a literal blackberry dipped in vanilla and incense.
Most fragrances at Bath and Body Works have a shelf life shorter than a carton of milk. They arrive, they peak for a season, and then they vanish into the "retired" graveyard. But this one? It’s different. It has been discontinued, brought back, moved to the online-only section, and featured in countless Semi-Annual Sales. People just won't let it die.
The Anatomy of a Scent: What Exactly Is in Dark Kiss?
If you ask a casual fan, they’ll tell you it smells "purple." That’s the most common descriptor you’ll find in fragrance forums like Fragrantica or Reddit’s r/bathandbodyworks. But the actual chemistry of the scent is a bit more complex than just a color.
The top notes hit you with black raspberry and Mirabelle plum. It is sweet, but not "candy" sweet. There is a tartness to the plum that keeps it from being cloying. As it settles on the skin, the mid-notes of burgundy rose and geranium start to peek through. This is where the "dark" part of the name comes from. Most floral scents at BBW are bright and airy, but the burgundy rose here feels velvety and heavy.
Then comes the dry down.
This is where the magic (or the headache, depending on who you ask) happens. You’ve got dark vanilla bean, labdanum, and sensual balsam. It’s a base that lingers for hours. Seriously, if you spray Dark Kiss on a sweater, that sweater will smell like Dark Kiss until the end of time. The inclusion of incense and musk gives it a "smoky" quality that was pretty revolutionary for a mass-market body mist back in the day. It didn't smell like a middle school locker room; it smelled like someone who owned a leather jacket and stayed out too late.
Why Some People Hate It (and Why the Rest of Us Don't Care)
Let’s be real for a second. Bath and Body Works Dark Kiss is polarizing.
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It’s loud. It is the antithesis of the "clean girl" aesthetic that has dominated TikTok for the last few years. If you’re looking for something that smells like laundry or fresh air, stay far away from this bottle. Some critics argue it’s too synthetic, or that the patchouli-adjacent musk is overwhelming in small spaces. It’s the kind of scent that can easily take over an elevator.
But that’s exactly why the fans love it.
In a world of skin scents and "your skin but better" perfumes that disappear after twenty minutes, Dark Kiss is a powerhouse. It has incredible sillage. You walk into a room, and people know you’re there. It’s a "nighttime" scent that people wear at 10:00 AM because they like the way the vanilla and plum mix with their natural chemistry. It’s also famously a "compliment getter." There’s something about the combination of fruit and musk that hits the mammalian brain just right.
The Comparison Game: Is It a Dupe?
For years, the fragrance community has been hunting for high-end versions of this scent. You’ll often hear people compare it to Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Midnight or even certain iterations of YSL Black Opium. While it’s not a 1:1 clone, it shares that same "dark floriental" DNA.
- It shares the dark berry vibe of Midnight Fantasy by Britney Spears, though Dark Kiss is significantly less "sugary" and more "incensey."
- Some find similarities to Lancôme La Nuit Trésor, especially in the way the incense and fruit play together.
- It’s often cited as a more affordable alternative to niche "goth" perfumes that cost $200 a bottle.
Actually, many collectors prefer the BBW version because it’s easier to layer. You can start with the shower gel, move to the body cream (which is arguably stronger than the mist), and then finish with the fine fragrance mist. By the time you’re done, you’ve created a scent bubble that is basically impenetrable.
The Strange History of Discontinuation
The saga of Bath and Body Works Dark Kiss is a masterclass in supply and demand. It originally launched around 2010. It was a massive hit. Then, as trends shifted toward lighter, fruitier scents, it was quietly moved to the "Retired Fragrances" list.
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Usually, that’s the end of the road.
But the "Dark Kissers" (as some fans call themselves) were vocal. They flooded the BBW social media pages. They bought up old stock on eBay for triple the price. Eventually, the company realized they had a classic on their hands. Now, it lives a semi-permanent life on the Bath and Body Works website. It occasionally pops up in physical stores during the Semi-Annual Sale, leading to a literal frenzy. You’ll see people grabbing five or six bottles at a time because they’re terrified it’ll disappear again. It is the "zombie scent"—it simply refuses to stay buried.
How to Wear It Without Overwhelming Everyone
If you’re new to the world of Dark Kiss, there is an art to application. Because the concentration of oils in the "Fine Fragrance Mist" can vary, you might find that two sprays are plenty.
- Layering is key: If you find the mist too sharp, try using just the body cream. The cream tends to hold the vanilla and plum notes closer to the skin, making it smell more creamy and less "perfumey."
- Seasonality matters: This is a cold-weather champion. In the heat of July, the musk can become a bit "fuzzy" and cloying. But in the crisp air of October or the dead of winter? It’s perfection. It cuts through the cold like a knife.
- Mix it up: Try layering it with a basic vanilla bean scent to pull out the gourmand notes, or a sharp citrus to brighten up the plum.
The Cultural Impact of the "Goth" Fragrance
There’s a reason this scent resonated so deeply with a specific generation. It came out right around the peak of the Twilight and vampire obsession era. Everything was moody, dark, and romantic. Dark Kiss captured that "dark romance" aesthetic perfectly. It wasn't just a smell; it was a vibe. It was the olfactory equivalent of a velvet dress and dark lipstick.
Even now, as 2010s nostalgia starts to cycle back into fashion, Dark Kiss feels relevant again. It fits into the "Whimsigoth" aesthetic that has taken over Pinterest. It’s for the person who wants to smell like a haunted library in the middle of a blackberry orchard.
What the Experts Say
Fragrance experts often point to Dark Kiss as a turning point for "mall brands." It proved that you could sell "complex" scents to a mass audience. It wasn't just a simple note of "Apple" or "Vanilla." It had a top, middle, and base. It had transitions. It had personality.
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According to various scent databases, the use of labdanum in a body mist was a relatively bold move for BBW. Labdanum is a resin that comes from the rockrose plant. It’s leathery, balsamic, and deeply ambery. You usually find it in high-end oriental perfumes. Putting it in a $15 mist changed the game for budget-friendly fragrances.
Maximizing Your Collection
If you’re looking to track down the most "potent" version of Bath and Body Works Dark Kiss, look for the older packaging. Many collectors swear that the original bottles from the early 2010s have a higher oil concentration. However, the modern "Online Exclusive" version is still very close to the original formula.
Avoid buying from third-party sellers who have "vintage" bottles that have turned yellow. Vanilla-heavy scents tend to oxidize over time. While a little discoloration is normal, if it smells like vinegar or alcohol, the scent has gone off. Your best bet is always to wait for a "Buy 3 Get 3" sale or the $5.95 mist sales that happen throughout the year.
Actionable Steps for the Dark Kiss Fan
If you want to make the most of this iconic scent, here is how to handle your "Dark Kiss" journey:
- Check the Online-Only Section: Don't waste your time driving to three different malls. Dark Kiss is rarely on the floor during normal months. Go straight to the BBW website and search for it there.
- The "Pulse Point" Method: Instead of spraying your clothes, spray your pulse points—wrists, neck, and behind the knees. The heat from your body will activate the balsam and incense notes, making the scent feel "rounder."
- Storage Matters: Because of the vanilla and fruit extracts, keep your bottles out of the bathroom. The humidity and heat will kill the scent. Keep them in a cool, dark drawer to ensure that blackberry note stays crisp for years.
- Pair with Unscented Lotion: If the body cream is too strong, mix a dollop of it with an unscented moisturizer like CeraVe. You’ll get the scent of Dark Kiss but at half the intensity, which is perfect for office environments.
Whether you love it or think it’s a bit much, you can’t deny that Dark Kiss has earned its place in the fragrance hall of fame. It’s a survivor. It’s a statement. And as long as there are people who want to smell like a mysterious, berry-stained dream, it isn't going anywhere.