Gardenia often seems like a note or theme that people look for in a perfume. I often get asked for gardenia perfume suggestions. However, I always have to tell people that I haven’t found my perfect gardenia. I’m still searching. So many gardenias smell like a functional fragrance. Some give me a headache. Others are merely “OK”. The closest to “my” gardenia is Kai perfume oil.
Kai is a clean musky floral. When the oil warms on the skin, Kai becomes more floral. It’s a melange of Southern Californian florals and a greener gardenia. The dry-down is a clean “Egyptian musk”.
If you’re looking for a gardenia, start with Kai. Gardenias typically don’t play nicely with me, but Kai does. It’s a straight forward gardenia that isn’t suffocating.
I actually prefer the oil of Kai over the EDP (which is odd for me). The oil is richer and more voluptuous. I also find that it lasts much longer on the skin.
Notes listed gardenia and white florals. Launch date 1999.
Give Kai a try if you like gardenia. Or if you like perfumes like J.Lo Glow, Chantecaille Tiare, Estee Lauder Tuberose Gardenia, Philosophy Amazing Grace, Penhaligon’s Gardenia and/or Pacifica Tahitian Gardenia. Even Kai says their perfume is unisex and Tommy Lee wears it. I don’t even like Tommy Lee but if he does wear Kai, I’ve decided that I like him.
The perfume oil has average projection and longevity for an oil. Keep in mind that most oils are more “intimate” and sit closely on the skin.
The perfume oil retails for $48 at Beautyhabit. Kai also has a line of body products that are absolutely fabulous and worth buying if you like scented bath and body products.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Gardenia over a clean musk. So far, it’s the closest to “me” gardenia that I have found.
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Fragrantica – Member reviews