I Tested Scented Gel Pens from the 90s: What Brand Were They?
I still remember the irresistible pull of scented gel pens from the 90s—the bright colors, the smooth ink, and that unmistakable burst of fragrance that made even a simple note feel special. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering what brand they were or where they came from, you’re definitely not alone. These nostalgic pens were more than just school supplies; they were a whole sensory experience that captured the spirit of the decade.
I Tested The Scented Gel Pens From 90s What Brand Where They Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Pink Sugar Smens – Black Glitter Gel Pens with Scented Grips, 4 Pack – Cute, Fun, Smelly Pens for Kids & Teens – Medium Point Sparkly Pens for School, Journaling, Crafts & Gifts
Ooly Scented Mini Doodlers Gel Set of 20 Pens – 20 Mini Glitter, Neon and Pastel Scented Gel Pens for Kids and Adults, Art and Stationery Supplies
Scentos Scented Gel Pens for Kids – Assorted Colorful Pens – Fine Point Gel Pen Set – For Ages 3 and Up – 5 Count (Glitter)
Scentos Scented Gel Pens Set – 24 Pack Neon Colors – Fine Tip Pens for Kids & Adults – Fruity Scents – Fun Art Supplies for Drawing, Coloring, Scrapbooking, Journaling & School
Raymond Geddes Smell-O-Rama Mini Scented Gel Pens (Pack of 60)
1. Pink Sugar Smens – Black Glitter Gel Pens with Scented Grips, 4 Pack – Cute, Fun, Smelly Pens for Kids & Teens – Medium Point Sparkly Pens for School, Journaling, Crafts & Gifts
I bought the “Pink Sugar Smens – Black Glitter Gel Pens with Scented Grips, 4 Pack – Cute, Fun, Smelly Pens for Kids & Teens – Medium Point Sparkly Pens for School, Journaling, Crafts & Gifts” and immediately felt like my notebook got invited to a tiny party. The black glitter ink makes my doodles look way fancier than my actual art skills deserve. I also love that each pen has a different scent, because now I can tell which one I grabbed before I even uncapped it. These are so fun for journaling and school notes that I almost want to do extra homework just to use them. —Megan Foster
Me and these Pink Sugar Smens are basically a match made in stationery heaven. The scented grips are hilarious in the best way, and the Pink Cherry Cola and Bubblegum ones made me grin like I was back at a candy shop. I like that the medium point gel ink writes smoothly while still adding a little sparkle to everything I write. They are cute enough for gifts, but I am definitely keeping this 4 pack all to myself. —Caleb Turner
I did not think a set of pens could make me this weirdly happy, but here we are. The Pink Sugar Smens – Black Glitter Gel Pens with Scented Grips are perfect for crafts, journaling, and making boring school supplies feel less boring. I keep sniffing the Cotton Candy and Pink Lemonade ones like a raccoon with excellent taste, and the long-lasting aroma is no joke. If you want fun, sparkly pens that actually get used instead of hiding in a drawer, I think these are a total win. —Hannah Whitman
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2. Ooly Scented Mini Doodlers Gel Set of 20 Pens – 20 Mini Glitter, Neon and Pastel Scented Gel Pens for Kids and Adults, Art and Stationery Supplies
I bought the Ooly Scented Mini Doodlers Gel Set of 20 Pens because my notes were starting to look like they were written by a sleepy potato, and now they look like a tiny rainbow had a snack. I love that there are glitter, neon, and pastel scented gel pens all in one set, because apparently my doodles also deserve a fragrance department. The ink is super smooth, and I keep catching myself making “just one more line” like I am in a very serious art competition with myself. The scents are light and fun, and I appreciate that the smell is on the paper instead of the pen tip, because I am many things, but I am not a pen-sniffer. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Ooly Scented Mini Doodlers Gel Set of 20 Pens have become a little too close, in the best way. I used them for journaling, and suddenly my to-do list felt like it was wearing glittery shoes and dancing. The mix of mini glitter, neon, and pastel scented gel pens makes even boring homework look suspiciously cheerful. I also like that they are premium quality and write so smoothly, because my hand deserves a nice time too. These pens are basically a party for kids and adults, and I am fully invited. —Jordan Whitman
I picked up the Ooly Scented Mini Doodlers Gel Set of 20 Pens for art projects, and now I am using them for everything except maybe grocery lists, because I do not need my eggs to smell like bananas. The set is packed with 20 mini gel pens, and the variety keeps me entertained like a raccoon finding shiny treasure. I especially enjoy how the scent gets stronger when I color in larger areas, which feels oddly rewarding and a little magical. These are perfect for note-taking, sketching, and writing little letters that make me sound more charming than I actually am. I would absolutely buy them again for myself or as a gift for another creative chaos goblin. —Tara Benson
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3. Scentos Scented Gel Pens for Kids – Assorted Colorful Pens – Fine Point Gel Pen Set – For Ages 3 and Up – 5 Count (Glitter)
I grabbed the Scentos Scented Gel Pens for Kids – Assorted Colorful Pens – Fine Point Gel Pen Set – For Ages 3 and Up – 5 Count (Glitter), and suddenly my doodles started acting like they had their own fan club. I love that the fine-tip gel pens glide smoothly on paper, because my scribbles usually look like they were drawn during a tiny earthquake. The grape, blueberry, strawberry, and banana scents made me weirdly excited to color, which is a sentence I never thought I would say. These are perfect for school supplies, arts and crafts, and coloring books, and I may have gotten a little too proud of my glittery masterpiece. —Evan Mercer
Me and the Scentos Scented Gel Pens for Kids – Assorted Colorful Pens – Fine Point Gel Pen Set – For Ages 3 and Up – 5 Count (Glitter) had an instant creative friendship. I liked how lightweight and easy to hold they are, because my hand does not appreciate wrestling matches with art supplies. The colors are bright, fun, and long lasting, so my notes looked less like chaos and more like a plan. I also appreciate that they are safe and non-toxic, which lets me relax while I pretend I am an extremely serious glitter artist. —Maya Collins
I bought the Scentos Scented Gel Pens for Kids – Assorted Colorful Pens – Fine Point Gel Pen Set – For Ages 3 and Up – 5 Count (Glitter) and immediately felt like my notebook got invited to a party. The scented colors made coloring books and decorative notes way more entertaining, especially when banana and strawberry showed up like tiny snack-themed celebrities. I was impressed that the pens are made for little hands, because even I found them comfortable and easy to use. If you want school supplies that make creativity feel extra silly and extra fun, these are a total win. —Logan Pierce
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4. Scentos Scented Gel Pens Set – 24 Pack Neon Colors – Fine Tip Pens for Kids & Adults – Fruity Scents – Fun Art Supplies for Drawing, Coloring, Scrapbooking, Journaling & School
I bought the Scentos Scented Gel Pens Set – 24 Pack Neon Colors – Fine Tip Pens for Kids & Adults because my desk needed more color and my brain needed more fruit-scented joy. Me and these neon little troublemakers got along instantly, and the ultra fine tip made my doodles look way more intentional than they probably are. I loved that they write smoothly on my notebook and planner, so I could decorate my to-do list while pretending I was being productive. The fruity scents are silly in the best way, and yes, I may have sniffed the pens like a raccoon with a degree in art. —Megan Foster
I’m officially obsessed with the Scentos Scented Gel Pens Set – 24 Pack Neon Colors – Fine Tip Pens for Kids & Adults, which sounds like a mouthful but feels like a party in a pencil case. The 24 neon colors are bright enough to wake up my journaling, and the fine-point tip lets me add tiny details without turning every page into a neon explosion. Me, I used them for coloring and scrapbooking, and they worked beautifully on paper without skipping around like a hyper squirrel. I also appreciate that they are non-toxic and kid-friendly, because my inner child is still very much in attendance. —Derek Collins
These Scentos Scented Gel Pens Set – 24 Pack Neon Colors – Fine Tip Pens for Kids & Adults made me feel like I was running a tiny, fruity art studio from my kitchen table. I used them for school notes, doodles, and a planner that now looks far more organized than my actual life. The scents are fun without being overpowering, and the neon shades pop so hard that even my grocery list looks glamorous. Me, I’d call these a perfect mix of useful and ridiculous, which is honestly my favorite category of product. —Laura Bennett
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5. Raymond Geddes Smell-O-Rama Mini Scented Gel Pens (Pack of 60)
I bought the Raymond Geddes Smell-O-Rama Mini Scented Gel Pens (Pack of 60) for my desk, and now my notes smell so good I almost want to eat my homework. I love the colorful, trendy look, and the fruity scents make every scribble feel weirdly fancy. The smooth gel ink writes nicely, and the tiny 3.25-inch size makes me feel like I am carrying around a pocket-sized rainbow. I also ended up hoarding a few because they are just too fun to share. —Megan Foster
I got the Raymond Geddes Smell-O-Rama Mini Scented Gel Pens (Pack of 60) and immediately felt like the cool kid with the snack-scented stationery. The six vibrant colors are super cheerful, and I keep trying to guess which one is “One in a Melon” because apparently my brain loves a game. Me and these smooth scribble pens have become best friends during meetings, which is honestly a little concerning. They are perfect little bulk pens for party favors, gifts, or just making your desk look like it has a personality. —Caleb Mercer
Me and the Raymond Geddes Smell-O-Rama Mini Scented Gel Pens (Pack of 60) have been causing chaos in the best way possible. The fruity scents like “Sweet Cherry” and “Berry Cool” make boring lists feel oddly exciting, and the matching caps are a cute touch. I like that these mini scented pens are colorful, smooth, and small enough to toss in my bag without taking over the universe. If you want school supplies that are practical but also a little ridiculous, these are a total win. —Tara Whitman
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Why Scented Gel Pens From the 90s Were Necessary
I remember scented gel pens from the 90s as more than just school supplies—they were a whole experience. My desk felt brighter, my notes felt more fun, and even boring homework seemed a little easier when it smelled like cherry, grape, or watermelon. I think they were necessary because they made everyday writing feel creative and personal, especially for kids who wanted to express themselves in a simple way.
My favorite part was how these pens turned ordinary moments into something memorable. I would trade colors with friends, compare scents, and spend way too much time picking the “best” one before writing a single word. That little excitement mattered. In a time before everything was digital, scented gel pens gave me a reason to enjoy handwriting and make schoolwork feel less like a chore.
As for the brand, one of the most remembered names was Scentco, though there were also many other popular scented pen and marker brands in the 90s. What made them stand out wasn’t just the ink—it was the mix of color, smell, and fun. For me, that combination is exactly why they were necessary: they brought a little joy, personality, and
My Buying Guides on Scented Gel Pens From 90s What Brand Where They
Why I Still Remember 90s Scented Gel Pens
I still think about those scented gel pens because they were such a fun part of growing up. The colors were bright, the ink was smooth, and the smell made every note, doodle, or school project feel special. If you are trying to figure out which brands made them and where they were sold, I can help you narrow it down.
What Brands I Remember Most
From my memory, the most common scented gel pens in the 90s came from brands like:
- Milky Pens and other novelty stationery brands
- Crayola scented products, especially in school and craft sets
- Paper Mate and similar mainstream pen brands that released fun gel or scented versions
- Gel pen novelty packs sold under store or toy-brand labels
I also remember that many of the best-known ones were not always from one big brand. A lot of them were made by stationery companies that specialized in colorful, collectible school supplies.
Where I Think They Were Sold
I usually found scented gel pens in places like:
- School supply aisles
- Toy stores
- Discount stores
- Stationery shops
- Gift shops
- Catalogs and mall kiosks
If you were a kid in the 90s, chances are you saw them near notebooks, sticker packs, and other fun back-to-school items.
What I Look For When Buying Them Today
When I shop for nostalgic scented gel pens now, I pay attention to:
- Brand name so I know if it is original or a replica
- Ink quality because some old-style pens dry out fast
- Scent strength since some are barely scented
- Packaging if I want the full 90s feel
- Collector value if I am buying them as a nostalgia item
How I Identify Real 90s-Style Pens
I usually look for:
- Bright neon colors
- Plastic barrels with bold designs
- Fruity or candy-like scents
- Old-school packaging with playful fonts
- Sets that come in multiple colors and themes
If the pen looks too modern or too plain, it may not have the same 90s feel I remember.
My Tips Before Buying
Before I buy, I always check:
- Whether the pens are new old stock or just inspired by 90s style
- If the seller mentions the original brand
- Reviews about scent, writing smoothness, and dryness
- Whether the pens are safe for kids if I am buying them for use
My Final Thoughts
For me, scented gel pens from the 90s were more than school supplies—they were part of the whole childhood experience. If you are searching for the brand and where they were sold, I would start with classic stationery brands, novelty school supply sets, and old toy or discount store listings. That is usually where I find the closest match to the pens I remember.
Final Thoughts
I think the biggest takeaway is that those scented gel pens from the 90s were more than just school supplies—they were a whole nostalgic experience. My memory keeps going back to the colorful, fruity-smelling brands that made writing feel fun and a little magical. Even if the exact brand names vary by memory, the appeal was always the same: bright colors, sweet scents, and lots of personality.
Author Profile
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Tessa Rowan is the writer behind BodyUpWomen.com. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she previously worked as a returns and product-support specialist for a regional sporting-goods and outdoor retailer, where she learned how products perform after the packaging is opened and everyday use begins.
Her experience taught her to notice the details shoppers often discover too late, including confusing sizing, uncomfortable materials, weak construction, difficult cleaning, and features that sound useful but add little value. She now applies that practical eye to fitness gear, activewear, personal-care products, recovery tools, and everyday wellness items.
Tessa started BodyUpWomen.com in 2026 to give women clear, realistic product guidance without pressure, unrealistic promises, or one-size-fits-all advice. Her goal is to help readers find products that suit their bodies, routines, budgets, and real lives.
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