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Smert – :
This has a cult following with celebrities!!! From what I have read.
megalgdfgll – :
Just read SmokeySings78’s review, and I agree- there is a distinct lilac note!
Otherwise, I’m getting very indolic jasmine-
Have to disagree with her, though, when she said she doesn’t think you can over-apply it, because – oops- I’m afraid I just did…
hope I don’t trigger any migraines at my cousin’s birthday lunch today…
Specialistikus – :
A solid white floral scent. Something didn’t sit right with me though.
Brovko – :
I’ve had this on my want list seemingly forever..finally took the plunge. Upon initial application, this reminds me of a basic white floral, specifically to me Estee Lauder’s Private Collection Tuberose Gardenia. I thought..meh!! But after a few minutes, this settles into a more vintage type of floral, not just a white floral. Lovely soft florals who smelled true (and not the screechy white florals that abound in many of ‘today’s’ fragrances). Call me crazy, but I pick up a lilac scent in addition to the vintage white floral. Both very much ‘real deal’ scents here, nothing artificial nor cloying nor synthetic smelling. I even pick up a slight true rose scent.
So, for me, this is actually more than ‘just’ white floral..this takes me back to my childhood, where I had the pleasure of running around playing in the summer, smelling the fragrant lilac bush in our backyard, the beautiful rose bushes, and a neighbor who had a sunroom that had dozens of truly beautiful glorious smelling flowers…Things just seemed to smell better back then, more authentic and natural. And Kai reminds me of those vintage/realistic/authentic floral scents.
But, having said all of that, this also reminds me of an Aerin Lauder fragrance, which are always beautiful, very realistic smelling with the notes, and very classy. Sort of like EL’s Tuberose Gardenia layered with Aerin’s Lilac Path and layered also with Aerin’s Garden Rose. Layer those 3, and I am petty sure Kai will be very close in scent. But Kai lasts much longer than those 3 Aerin frag’s, with no layering..but those 3 fragrances just come to mind for me when smelling Kai, and I also have those 3 Aerin frag’s, so I will have to layer them some day.
Regardless, Kai is a lovely floral. I agree with the review that called this a vintage floral. While, again, on first application, this most certainly smells like a white floral that has been done to death, the dry down is more complex and beautiful. I can see why some have this as their signature fragrance, it is beautiful, quite classy, can be elegant, and is not too complex.
Moderate sillage and decent longevity. I don’t think you will have to worry about over-applying this one.
CAMOCBAJI – :
Kai is a bouquet of full, lush gardenias in the sun. You -must- love gardenia to want to smell like Kai. This is a floral’s floral–a natural, shamelessly heady flower in a bottle. It starts a little green like Gucci’s Bloom, but the petals take over very quickly. Fleshy, narcotic, reminiscent of floral vintage powerhouses in its strength. Becomes slightly indolic as it dries, like a gardenia in the middle of wilting, swollen from expelling its water content. I think there are other components acting in the background. Some nuances smell buttery like tuberose and sweet like jasmine. Beautiful, feminine, and elegant. I have the oil and dabbed too much the first time I tried it on, a little goes a long way.
vladimirsinvo – :
OK, I complained about it being overhyped, and the summer has reached the UK.
Now take out the Kai and bring in some heat, the perfume seems to project naturally.
And works well with the warm sun and you’re own body chemistry.
It is expensive, but let it (develop) and it really does smell beautiful.
And let’s forget (project) people keep saying I smell beautiful.
NEpal – :
Smells like real flower or grass. Too strong for me. It last long though.
krutous11 – :
I blind bought this because my son’s name is Kai. I was expecting something more marine because Hawaii, I guess? This is such an intense gardenia it’s hard to feel lighthearted and playful about it. To me, Kai, should be taken way less seriously; there should be nothing matronly or funereal about Kai but for me the florals are too waxy, and the top notes seem a little too powdery, a little too stiff. I had read that this was a hyped-up fragrance and a bit ubiquitous, but I haven’t noticed it on the east coast as much, maybe it’s more of an LA phenomenon? To reiterate what was said by other reviewers, this is very, very similar to Pacifica’s Waikiki Pikake but I also think it’s very close to Pacifica’s Tahitian Gardenia, I think wearing both together is a pretty close dupe.
ivan.luckianchencko – :
Interesting….not what I expected. I thought it would be creamier, instead it’s colder–like white florals in a florist’s shop. I smell waxy plants and moss, earth, and blooms in a vase. I do enjoy it during the summer. It’s a clean gardenia scent that is perfect for layering – I particularly like to use it with woody/cedar notes. However, it doesn’t really project. Its very close to the skin, even with the body cream.
maliy228 – :
I had a sample and it seemed musty, like a gardenia bouquet that had sat in a dark, cool room and dried into a brittle version of itself. Very committed to the gardenia, in the heat it grew stronger and heavier, and I found it almost cloying, but I spritzed a touch of an Escada summer scent with pineapple and lemon and it brought this right back to life.
So! Very Gardenia, great longevity, great sillage, and if your bottle gets a bit musty, just add a little sparkling island citrus- perks it right up!
Pennysesy – :
Kai.
In te reo Māori this means “food”, and I’m wondering if this is why I smell green honeydew melon?
Gardenia makes me headachy and nauseous, but here, it’s fresh and green. I’m not big on green notes or white flowers but I love the crisp green floral of Kai. I also imagine I smell under-ripe tropical fruit, whispers of Guerlain’s Herba Fresca, and the original Prescriptive Calyx (really the only Green perfume I’ve been attracted to).
Until now.
For a purportedly two-note perfume, there’s more than meets the nostril.
mesenarpemi – :
Soapy, shower-fresh gardenia. It’s actually probably my favorite gardenia fragrance, and a big compliment getter. It’s a little boring though, but definitely a very pleasant scent. The body lotion is fantastic though!
maik-tema – :
This is a pretty scent, it’s a go to for me for a day time fragrance. There is nothing offensive about it so it’s an easy wear when around people. Is it exciting ? No. Is it memorable? No
But it is clean and to me a really nice blend of white flowers.
sesOffego – :
The description for this scent hits it on the nose- this is indeed a gorgeous scent that will remind you of the best of California and Hawaii. It’s warm, with more of a indolic jasminy feel than gardenia, with green and coconut notes. This is absolutely light and close to the skin, and a pleasure to wear even on a late winter morning! I can also see this working as a lovely light evening fragrance.
This also comes as a lotion and body oil, which would be perfect for warmer weather for a hint of fragrance.
vetskor – :
I really do not get gardenia from Kai at all! And I am a huge fan of gardenia, so I know what it smells like.
On me, this is a great big indolic jasmine soliflore. I went through a period of testing as many jasmine scents as I could get my hands on for a month. Kai would have fit in quite nicely during that time.
vasiaka12 – :
Fragrances can be overrated because they’ve gained celebrity followings but they can be underrated, too. There’s a school of snobbery in Perfumista world that works hard to underplay a good fragrance SOLELY because it is popular among celebrities. This isn’t a passive-aggressive jab towards anyone on here, I just mean generally speaking: Fragrance hobbyists seem to have an impulse to be the sobering, critical balance to celebrity lead popularity of a scent.
However, despite its celeb related reputation, “Kai” is actually a really unique fragrance. It’s a very green, white floral in a dewy way that hasn’t been captured as well in many other white floral blends, as far as I’m concerned because the focus on this blend is really on the glossy, crunchy greens of these white florals. There’s also a “grass mat” undertone that gives “Kai” a very spa-like feel.
It’s spare but lush, which matches the imagery of a gardenia bloom and there’s no powderiness or excessive, indolic carnality in this white floral blend, which most white floral blends tend to lean one way or the other towards. I get more of a jasmine or white ginger blossom feel, than purely gardenia but it really does feel like “Kai” has a little of every tropical, white floral note in the book in it.
The oil is heady and tenacious, a little goes a long way and just a drop will last you all day and into the next morning. In today’s fragrance market, “Kai” isn’t any higher priced than most department store scents, so while you won’t find it at a dollar store, I don’t think the price range and availability is out of league with what most fragrance shoppers would find acceptable. All in all, I think the celebrities got it right, this time. “Kai” is a fresh, very green, spare, white floral spa scent.
sokolova22001 – :
Kai is divine!! It’s the most beautiful gardenia in the world!! It is a fabulous garden of gardenia’s, all dancing in the lovely fresh air, with the dew still on them, they’re all glowing and luminous!!!! Heaven in a bottle!!!! And it’s a glorious elegant luminous bottle too. It’s simply a glorious perfume. Glorious. And it has wonderful longevity and sillage!!! Perfect for compliment gathering – like gathering the freshly blooming flowers in your arms and breathing them in all day long!!! Oh my goodness, such delight!!!!! My husband loves wrapping his arms around me and breathing me in, often!!! It’s gorgeous!!!
vovan48lip – :
Wonderful to layer with Sandlewood oil!
andrewko – :
Jasmine Oil.
simakova – :
I am a gardenia lover. Kai is my early favourite. Gardenia in Kai is fresh and green. It’s relatively realistic but slightly greener and less sweet. The oil version wears close to skin.
Mitrofanium – :
Realistic gardenia scent. Several compliments from women. I do feel like this scent wears me instead of the other way around though.
pys1982 – :
This is for the roll-on oil.
Well… I wish I loved this as much as I thought I did. I had a roommate who wore it years ago and she would let me wear it now and again- this was before I had any perfume of my own, and I felt like a fancy lady when I wore it.
I just bought a vial of my own and to my dismay, I find it too cloyingly sweet to wear. Perhaps I will find a nice layering combo, because I just don’t think I could wear it on its own.
MkLaren – :
Makes me home sick. Like Child, every woman in Los Angeles wore this at some point. I may need a new roll on for the snowy midwest. The greenest gardenia ever, it smells more like Hawaii than a soliflore, and I don’t think anyone’s ever figured out how she pulled that off.
greg5816 – :
Unfortunately after years of neglect, this has turned. Anyone want greasy bananas!!!??
Vedaddertneme – :
I’ve recently been on a gardenia kick, after many years of not liking the white florals. I wanted to love this – initially it was beautiful and creamy, but unfortunately turned very indolic on me and became a scrubber.
Shnifer – :
Kai is an absolutely beautiful, naturally fresh, soft, lush, creamy and pure white floral without anything artificial or cloying. Besides gardenia this perfume reminds me of jasmine and white peony with hints of tuberose and orange flower. Its pure and soliflore nature, moderate sillage and good longevity makes it the ideal layering choice for a soft and natural floral addition to a variety of fragrances.
Vivan – :
BEAUTIFUL! Kai is a phenomenal fragrance, it’s HEAVENLY-gardenia is most realistic and strong. The body butter is smooth, very moisturizing and equally fragrant. Soooo beautiful!
tgtg – :
I bought the oil a few years ago and didn’t like it much. I found it too heady and sharp. I kept it, though, and have been wearing it for the past two days and either it has mellowed, or my perception has changed, because now I really love it. I am getting the full floral burst without the sharp shriek that usually accompanies it. The sharp note is there, but not out in front of the flowers. It is creamy gardenia with plenty of green, and a tiny bit dirty. The gardenia in my yard is heavier and sweeter, but still similar.
I’m not sure I’d wear this in public, since it could definitely be headache-inducing and gross to others, but I really enjoy smelling it around me at home. Overall, this makes me long for spring and summer and reminds me that they are coming!
CuriousBox43 – :
I just sprayed this on the back of my hand about 4 hours ago, it’s still hanging on pretty well despite washing my hands several times since then.
This is all jasmine and green garden to me, with something that reminds me strongly of tomato leaves. I know that’s not listed as a note, but my mother’s tomato garden was all I could think about when I first sprayed this.
Very lovely green scent, even though my husband doesn’t like it much.
Edit/update: upon smelling this again, I realize this is very gardenia heavy, which was probably the “green garden” I was smelling the other day. I don’t know why I didn’t pick up on it the first time, but hey, nobody’s perfect!
andyblack776 – :
Kai – I couldn’t be happier with the addition of this fragrance. I purchased the oil as I wanted to amp up the flowers in some of my fragrances. The layering affect is perfect as Kai is not extremely strong but does make those white flowers, jasmin and gardenia stand out with a bit of a bang. Alone it is pleasant and rather relaxing scent, just beautiful.
ztmsaffi – :
Maybe it’s because I’m in California, hiking the Pacific Coast Trail in July, swimming in Lake Tahoe in August, but this is my perfect-right-now fragrance. I know it’s all gardenia, but I get a rosy gardenia -and like some others- a bit of funk, an edge of amber or a glimmer of right-before-it-rains. Or maybe its just the cedar and sage in the air? But Kai stands alone on the dresser right now, the scent-de-jour.
Edited to add: This went great with shorts and bathing suits last summer, wasn’t sure how it would fare to on the job with blazers and heels, but it’s been working for me all year! Also plays nicely with other fragrances, so you can layer. Can’t live without this one.
Damir619 – :
I tested the spray and the oil together and they are very different. The spray I didn’t care for very much but the oil is amazing. When I wear it everybody around me says I smell great, and this doesn’t happen to me often because I have a sensitive nose and tend to apply perfumes very lightly so no one but me even notices them. In this I’m bringing the happiest of fresh summer days with me. It’s like the tantalizing scent that comes in through the window when you’re cooped up inside. It doesn’t last forever but neither do summer days.
Sweaciche – :
I only have the hand lotion so I don’t know how true to scent it is compared with the spray or oil, but it’s a nice smell. Reminds me of my grandmother (not in a bad way!) I am more fond of citrus and fruity scents, but I can see why people like kai.
My boyfriend hates flowery perfumes though, so this hand lotion is relegated to work only :/
EDIT:
A few days later and I’ve decided I love the smell of Kai. It really grows on you and it is so relaxing and comfortable. Worth a shot even for those iffy about flowery scents. However, a word to the wise, I would not recommend the hand lotion. It is greasy, shiny, doesn’t absorb etc. the only thing good about it is the smell 🙂
legleg – :
I wear the perfume oil.I have owned the spray perfume, but for me, only the oil captures the uniqueness of this exquisite perfume. The spray formula dries down with notes of asphalt and rubber, but the oil stays succulent and sweet. Often I don’t even notice Kai after hours and hours of wear, and random people tell me I smell beautiful. Kai smells like blooming tiare flowers (Tahitian Gardenia/Tiaré tahiti), not like the Gardenia jasminoides flowers (known as Common Gardenia) grown in everybody’s gardens. If, like me, you’ve had recurring Feed-Me-Seymour nightmares ever since you tried to wear Annick Goutal Gardenia Passion in 1989, I assure you, you don’t need to fear Kai. And there’s no danger of flashbacks to grandmother’s Tuvache’Jungle Gardenia, either. Kai is not that kind of gardenia…it’s a completely different flower. Kai’s Tiare are those crisp, small, sweet white flowers strung onto the leis you’re adorned with, to welcome you to Hawaii! One whiff and you believe you’re in paradise. Kai’s hypnotic aroma is of pure, delicate white flowers, plus something in it calls to mind the scent of pineapple leaves.
brokerIzh – :
this was pure tuberose to my nose. Started out nice little sweet little earth, very white floral. When the temperature went up another 20 degrees it turned pure vaginal. Borat once said, ‘her vagine hangs like sleeve of wizard.’. he was talking about this perfume. To be fair, I didn’t realize it was an oil and over used it.
041rka – :
This review is for the oil rollerball. The first hour of Kai is an intense white flower bomb. As others here have mentioned, there is no such thing as a ‘true’ gardenia, but this doesn’t do a bad job. Unfortunately after that first hour it fades pretty dramatically and after hour three, it is barely a shadow of what it was. I think this perfume would perform a lot better in hot/tropical weather, and that heat/sweat would make it bloom on the skin and improve the sillage, but overall I do not think the price is justified. You can get the same smell elsewhere, for much less.
nfyzret – :
I tested this via sample. I like this, not sure if I love it. It is pretty strong out of the gate, then settles down to a nice, gardenia dry down. Nice, but I honestly don’t understand all the raves over this one.
coagnipiviorn – :
Beautiful fresh, creamy jasmine. I am sitting next to a jasmine vine, and the scent, one of my favorites, is identical. As jasmine is often used to construct a gardenia note (as there is no gardenia absolu) Kai does have elements of gardenia.
This is beautiful, and perfect, and lovely! It will definitely be a staple, a go-to, a mood changer when I need a lift. If you are looking for a lovely jasmine scent, or jasmine that can be added to other scents, this is perfect.
I will wear this in early morning, for yoga, for tea on my porch. Kai is wonderful!
But when I want gardenia I will reach for VC&A’s Gardenia Petale.
Try this if you love jasmine, if the white florals you’ve encountered have been too sweet, or too harsh. Try this if you need something that is beautiful in its simplicity. Kai is the sort of scent that becomes your favorite friend, and never fails to cheer. *love*
svjatoy – :
This is a nice, inoffensive scent, lovely soft white floral with no sharpness about it- it has a bit of the creaminess of the true gardenia but is lacking that sweet, addictive top note of the true gardenia. This scent reminds me of L’Occitane’s Day Flower.
byrji – :
Tried the oil today. Not overly impressed considering the hype. It’s gardenia in an oil form. Nothing special that a bottle of Jessica McClintock couldn’t beat. Save your money.
Wuzli – :
It is a very pleasant scent of flowers, definitely for a daily wear. Not worth the money though because it lasts not too long. There is no va-va-voom to the fragrance and it never attracted any attention.
Подпольный_Мыш – :
One of my favorite wholly floral scents, because it has that something Extra. Gardenia, some indolic jasmine, and a lot of fuzzy greenness. Feels foot loose and fancy free.
Strangely reminds me of a very hot day in childhood when a friend tried to make potpourri out of yard ‘flowers’. Purple wind flowers got chopped up, stems and all, with whatever else was handy…perhaps grape hyacinths. The fuzziness feels like an extension of the heat of the day, blending this together.
Airy, like beach breezes. Has a natural feel, but with a slightly sharp edge.
Excellent longevity and sillage. ( Note: A wonderful Fragrantican shared this with me. The test vial says it is oil. )
scrsnseabrook83 – :
White floral bomb is what Kai is, and that’s surprisingly a good thing.
I received a sample of Kai perfume oil in a small vial a while back and I have used it twice before stupidly spilling over half of it. My first thought was, “Whoa darn, flower bomb. Will probably toss this in the graveyard of samples soon.” Not sure if I’d like it, but it turns out that I do! I expected it to be dizzying, cloying, overwhelming…only the latter is true, and it’s only because after the first time I found myself enthusiastically slathering more than needed amount when I wore it for the second time. Note to girls who wear this: a little goes a long way! It’s wonderful and you’ll be tempted to liberally cover yourself with it but control is the key here. It’s sweet, it’s floral but it’s surprisingly relaxing. I love smelling it after a few hours: that’s when Kai starts smelling softer and much more delectable.
Overall, I really love this and I’ve been very tempted to buy a full bottle. If you like white floral scents, especially gardenias, you will love this. Of course, though, if you can get a small vial of samples first it’ll be great for you. With its potent floral scent, I imagine not everyone will be into this but if you eventually are, chances are you’ll love it a lot.
Rating: 7/10
z1z1z1 – :
I found this to be harsh, too green and not much of the beloved gardenia.
Maybe all those celebrities went to the fragrance equivalent of a Tupperware party and came back with this, knowing that only their fellow celebrities had it, ergo the “exclusivity principle.”
JaGGronirlcic – :
Hyacinth Bucket, I don’t know if you are intentionally joking but I laughed anyway: gardenia, gardenia, gardenia with a touch of gardenia. So true, this perfume has one note, and I regret purchasing. Should’ve gone the sample and made a 1mL mistake.
juljka – :
I was nervous about this one, was worried it would be too sharp, too green, too air freshener type or too mature smelling.. I’m glad to say it’s none of those things! It’s creamy and soft, yet crisp at the same time, without being too green. Has just the perfect amount of green which makes it fresh not sharp. When they say creamy gardenia they really mean it this time, if you can imagine a gardenia when it’s in full bloom. They did a great job with Kai, it’s such a wearable gardenia! If you’re going for feminine and voluptuous this is the one. But note that this is a straight gardenia scent, no other notes are noticeable to the average person.
Edit- review is for the oil roll on 🙂
tom05 – :
To me, gardenia is soft-smelling, lush and gentle, “round”. Kai is good, but it’s brisk/biting (I think that’s where the beachy feel comes from), much more of a stephanotis note. If there’s a gardenia in here, it’s way down at the bottom.
lenok – :
I like the oil better. It’s very light, fresh, and uplifing. Not heavy and good for those sensitive to perfumes so its a great everyday fragrance. I have yet to experience child oil
Пантера – :
Opens with a fresh burst of creamy gardenia. After a few minutes I pick up more gardenia followed a dry down of gardenia. I’m getting an additional hint of gardenia in there somewhere but maybe it’s just my chemistry.
SPdok – :
I received this among a collection of samples as a lovely gift. I had never heard of it before, but I decided it’s the first one I want to try. So, I tried the oil, not knowing what it is or anything about it, and it smells divine. So natural and soothing and refreshing. I thought it had coconut in it! It’s like smooth, green fresh coconut. I realise now that this frag has received a lot of attention, and in my opinion, quite rightly so. It’s beautiful!
Drulik – :
I’m a Kai devotee!
Yes,it has a huge celebrity following for sure.
At first I wasn’t sure what the raves were all about,but after wearing it
I saw the light.
Kai is beautiful,pure,clean,green,soft,tropical and long lasting
(This is a review for the oil)
Kai is a whisper…
KatarinaFran – :
I’m a Kai devotee!
Yes,it has a huge celebrity following for sure.
At first I wasn’t sure what the raves were all about,but after wearing it
I saw the light.
Kai is beautiful,pure,clean,green,soft,tropical and long lasting
(This is a review for the oil)
Kai is a whisper…
marzlat – :
Ah, Kai, the infamous “super popular in Hollywood” perfume. If I hadn’t known it was almost bizarrely popular amongst celebrities, I would’ve just passed it off as a pretty but forgettable gardenia scent. Almost closer to room freshener or a candle than perfume because of how one dimensional it is. But because this has a HUGE celebrity following, I’m now really confused by it. Why? It’s not bad but what is it about this that makes it so ridiculously popular? I almost feel like it’s all a big prank or something, why this one in particular? It manages to be a very specific, unique fragrance while being boring and forgettable at the same time. Pretty much the opposite of what I’d imagine would gain a large following, and by those with money to spare at that. It almost reminds me of something you could pick up at Whole Foods. Well it’s simple really, here we have a shining star in marketing, not perfumery, just marketing. Is it so popular, especially among the rich and famous, because it’s an incredible perfume? No. I’d hardly call it an average one, unless you love gardenias. Does it appeal to a huge base because it is versatile and wearable? Again, no. I can only seeing this get love from fans of gardenia and beachy scents. It’s nice and inoffensive at best to everyone else. So where’s the appeal? In the supposed exclusivity (however exclusive something you can easily get online or at a department store can be), the associations with celebrities, simply in the reputation it has. Somehow, a mediocre perfume has become THE perfume to have, and it has almost nothing to do with the scent itself. Maybe I’m being a little too harsh on it, maybe it’s better in the warm California weather, but I’m in the cold, snowy north and the only impression this left on me was that the celebrities can keep their boring gardenia perfume. I’ll pass.
облако – :
Purchased this on vacation in Hawaii as a way to remember our trip. It does smell a LOT like Jessica McClintock. Nice, but not long-lasting. Very delicate.
q00711 – :
I just received it. To my nose, it smells like one of the Jessica Mcclintock, the one with white box, the one easy to see at TJMaxx or Marshalls.. Kai definitely reminded of that one. It did smell like mothballs on my clothes. It turned sweet like PACIFICA Tahitian Gardenia on my skin. It is nice, but I am thinking I may be just as fine with Pacifica’s version of gardenia if I am really after gardenia.. I have the solid perfume of Tahitian Gardenia, to my nose, it is very similar what Kai’s spray form turned on my skin. Almost 90% similarity.
demon045 – :
I sampled and purchased the oil months ago, but I haven’t felt compelled to wear it until now, in August. Kai is a mid-late summer scent for me, but I’m sure women in warm climes can wear it year round.
I’ve never tried the spray. I apply 3 light dabs with the roller, and Kai has soft to gently moderate sillage. It can be encouraged to emanate with a heavier application, but then it can start to annoy me a couple hours later, as it dries down. I like to wear it after bathing, especially in at night. (I wouldn’t put a rollerball of oil on anything but just-cleaned skin, I’m afraid to contaminate the oil.)
Kai, the scent of gardenia, is romantic and relaxing. I feel like I’m in a candlelit bedroom at night, wearing white eyelet lace, with the windows open to a fragrant breeze. In fact, if it weren’t so expensive, I’d burn Kai candles in my bedroom. Kai is feminine, but not in a sweet way; it’s natural. I think it’s sexy, and fairly gentle for an indole.
There is a freshness to Kai that reminds me of rainwater, also bathwater… which in turn reminds me of soap. I have a lovely Gardenia soap from Pre de Provence, and therefore can say that Kai doesn’t actually smell soapy, there is simply a suggestion of cleanliness… and dew, perhaps? Or, perhaps, the window is open just after the evening rain.
Similar to Monyette Paris oil, Kai is more ladylike. Kai is also not as rich, creamy or tropical as MP. Living in Ontario, I wouldn’t own both full bottles at the same time because of the short summer.
Just to offer a differing opinion from laurenchanel – I do like the packaging. Clean, minimalist, modern but not industrial. The design of the package reflects the design of the scent – linear, smooth, white.
I agree that Kai is overpriced, but not grossly. Although it’s an exclusive line, there is a flower shop(!) in Waterloo, Ontario, that carries it. The oil is $60 CAD, which is $30 cheaper than what Luckyscent charges to ship it to Canada. I considered the difference along with the fact that I had wanted a full bottle of Monyette Paris but couldn’t afford to have *it* shipped… and I haven’t encountered any other gardenia perfume that I liked as much, but I love gardenia, and I’m a “fumehead” after all, so there you have it, I sprung! 🙂
никита1 – :
For those who love Gardenias and the Kai scent:
Looking for high-quality floral oils, I stumbled upon Cherryblossomdiva on Ebay.
She sells a very inexpensive, roll-on oil(15.00 for oil) that is sublime!!!
This one lasts forever and is truly the most realistic, longest lasting and most lovely gardenia I have ever invested in.
hohotun63 – :
ok so i was excited to try this perfume for summer because i read all the press that celebrities wear it. but i was super bummed when i smelled it and it smells just like drugstore jovan gardenia. i had to scrub my wrists to get it off me. i got a headache and i would never believe any more press. no way anybody would actually waste money on something that smells like drugstore perfume. i also don’t think the packaging would look cute on anyones dresser. not my cup of tea.
isalckin88 – :
Although this is a soothing perfume, the gardenia doesn’t smell alive to me. I like Voluspa Tiares or Yashioka Gardenia much better.
eugz – :
Gardenias are my Momma and husband’s favorite flower. In front of the house we have two massive gardenia bushes, when they are in bloom the smell in the evening when the dew falls is intoxicating.
That’s what Kai smells like to me, and it has become a new love.
welkomto – :
Tried it Today… and to me, this exactly smells as jLo Glow. very Clean and refreshing smell. I was surprised to find out the similarity between these two perfume:)
olc051speagoessenda – :
This review is for the spray version. Well, this is very realistic gardenia. Maybe a little too realistic in a cloying kind of way. I don’t hate this, but I don’t think I could wear it either. There’s an overripe, almost rotting scent to this that I’m not enjoying.
135alex135 – :
This is a lovely scent and as a white flower lover, it very much suits my taste. However, while I like it I did not find much distinctive about it. I tried an alternative approach by layering gardenia, tiare and rose oils and ended up pretty happy, too. So pick your poison. I should note, iI am not a huge oil fan, but this is nice.
rusika – :
Kai is lovely, in all its simplicity.
The origins of this fragrance, the marketing behind it (no different really then how any other fragrance is marketed to the public) and the opinion of Europe… is of no consequence when you consider that fragrance preference is a subjective olfactory experience, unique to the individual. If you truly love Gardenia then this is a fragrance worth trying.
I have this in the rollerball and it’s been my summer signature for several years now. I receive nothing but compliments on it but even if I didn’t, I’d keep wearing it for me. It’s cheerful, bright, fresh and clean; it lifts my spirits and doesn’t overwhe