Stories Behind the Label: Back to the ’80s

A Neon-Colored Time Machine

When we created Back to the ’80s, we knew it had to feel like turning up the volume on a neon-colored time machine. The 1980s were electric—full of color, music, and moments that still make us smile.

The Vessel: Iridescent Sherbet Glow

We chose an iridescent sherbet vessel because it’s one of my favorite frozen dessert flavors, and because it captures the joyful glow of the decade. That shimmering orange-pink instantly takes me back to sitting in the way back of our blue Mercury Colony Park station wagon, its vinyl wood paneling glinting in the sun.

On those family road trips, we only had two cassette tapes—Kool & The Gang and The Temptations—so we played them over and over, singing along as the miles rolled by. The vessel is a reminder of those carefree drives, the sun streaming in, and the soundtrack of endless summer days.

The Fragrance: Apricot, Orchid, and Blonde Woods

The scent of Back to the ’80s bottles that sunshine with apricot, orchid, and blonde woods. The sweetness of apricot and the floral brightness of orchid dance together like your favorite pop hooks, while blonde woods grounds the blend with a soft, warm finish.

Cheerful, bright, and uplifting—this fragrance is designed to feel like pure good vibes.

The Design: Bold ’80s Energy

Of course, the design had to radiate pure ’80s energy. We leaned into neon colors that nod to scrunchies, roller rinks, and Walkmans tucked into acid-wash jeans. The cassette tape, placed front and center, is a love letter to the era of mixtapes—back when pressing record was how you told someone you liked them.

The Playlist: Icons of a Decade

Every Mixtape Candle comes with music, and for Back to the ’80s, the playlist had to be packed with icons. Expect to hear:

• Kool & The Gang

• Madonna

• Prince

• Michael Jackson

• Whitney Houston

• The Go-Go’s

• Cyndi Lauper

These were the songs that defined an era—ones you couldn’t escape on MTV (which debuted in 1981), danced to at school events, or blasted in your bedroom.

The Pop Culture Vibe

The ’80s were bigger than just music. Movies like Back to the Future, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Breakfast Club, and Dirty Dancing defined the decade. It was the time of big hair, bigger shoulder pads, and the birth of the blockbuster.

Why We Named It Back to the ’80s

We named it Back to the ’80s because that’s exactly what we want it to do—transport you through scent and sound to a time when life was bright, music was bold, and making a mixtape was an act of love.

✨ Relive the neon glow, the cassette tapes, and the unforgettable soundtrack of the 1980s. Shop the Back to the ’80s candle here.