Mid-summer staple: Kai for the win

kai comfort go-to scents
What do you turn to when the heat is on, you’re tired of exploring new scents or you’re just not up to having to think about it? What are your go-to scents that smell good, and even better, make you feel good in the summertime, without being temperamental or demanding? For me, it’s Kai for the win.

Fragrantica gives Kai’s featured accords as white flowers and gardenia, and Surrender to Chance calls it “an intoxicating blend of gardenia and white exotic flowers that will transport you to your own tropical island.”

Although it has a celebrity following and sometimes gets pooh-poohed by perfumistas, it’s still a great scent to wear in hot weather, or cold weather, or any time you need an instant tropical escape. Not to mention it’s a great comfort scent for me, as I wore the oil throughout my son’s long hospitalization many years ago and somehow it just made me feel soothed and calm.

An added bonus: It has tons of ancillary products, from shower gels and body lotions, to candles, room sprays and even a deodorant (which I use sometimes on a day when I’m just hanging around the house and not out in public).

I’d love to hear what your go-to summer scent is! Have a great week, everyone!

  • Julie says:

    The other day I forgot to mention another summertime favorite of mine… Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune! ? Does anyone else enjoy this one?

  • sara levy says:

    Love Kai and its French cousin, Monyette for summer. Also Eau des Merveilles gets a lot of spritzing when it gets hot.

  • hczerwiec says:

    Kai is just happy. I feel that way about Songes and Seville a L’Aube. Just happy to wear.

  • Musette says:

    Kai is, for you, what No5 is for me – both your comfort and your armor. And I am here for it! 😉 I keep a little sample of it, as it makes me smile when I think of you wearing it, Ann. Carnal Flower is my go-to when I’ve put on some hair product that is doing its job, but the scent is irritating the heck out of me – I’ve got every CF product on today, including the hair mist!

    xoxoxo

  • Dina C. says:

    I like Kai too. My summer favorites for several years now are Dior Escale a Portofino and Chanel Cristalle eau Verte. Others fall in and out of favor, but these two I always love.

  • Julie says:

    I love the perfume oil Kai, I re-ordered in June for summertime!
    Another fragrance I really enjoy is O De Lancome…
    You or Someone Like You from ELDO ( just tried recently) and I am enjoying that scent too.?

  • Neva says:

    Unfortunately, I’m not familiar with Kai. My usual summer perfumes are Phylosikos and Eau Sauvage and one that really says “summer” to me is You or Someone Like You from ELDO.

  • Janet in CA says:

    Bronze Goddess is my go to scent for summer. My new favorite is My Own Private Teahupo’o by A lab on Fire. Notes are Sea salt, ozone, frangipani, salicylates, Tahitian vanilla bean, Amber Xtreme. Not quite as Coppertone as BG. My husband loves this on me.

    I do love Kai too!

  • Alison L Miller says:

    Envy from Gucci. Pure lily of the valley, And vintage Chanel No. 22, always.

  • Richard Potter says:

    DS from DS & Durga. Iris Poudre, Superstitious, le Parfum de Therese.

  • Brigitte says:

    I wore Assam of India for seven weeks straight one summer. Today I wore Mon Guerlain and would agree with Tara C that it’s fun and easy to wear! Also, Serge Lutens L’Eau Froide is an amazing summer incense. And newly discovered Berdoues Azur Riviera and Natura Paramelo are great in the heat and aren’t demanding at all.

  • Tara C says:

    I love Kai! Have the deodorant too, it’s great because it’s a gel type that doesn’t leave white streaks on clothes. The lotion and shower gel are nice too. I always take it with me on tropical vacations. As for others, Guerlain Terracotta and Mon Guerlain are fun and easy to wear, along with Bulgari Au Thé Bleu.