Back in 2023, I did a full ranking of my Kayali collection at the time. At the time, I considered that my crowning achievement. Kayali was (and still is) my favourite fragrance house and I have a lot of love for Mona Kattan and her creations.
Since then, Kayali has had so many new launches that I have added to my collection. And as a result, I’ve recently had the itch to revisit my rankings (the fabulous Praise Fadzai over on IG heavily influenced this). But because my collection has almost doubled, I decided to stick to just a top 5 for now. These are the Kayali fragrances that are new staples of my collection. And they are the ones that I recommend to everyone. Let’s get into the ranking!
5) KAYALI MAUI IN A BOTTLE SWEET BANANA 37 – $43.00 for 10ml
POSITION IN PREVIOUS RANKING – *New Entry*
NOTES: Top: Banana, Pear. Middle: Coconut, Jasmine. Base: Vanilla, Sandalwood
On paper, I should hate this perfume. I genuinely hate Coconut as a note in most fragrances. And Banana makes me gag at the best of times. But somehow, by some miracle, this works so well. The florally Jasmine and Vanilla do a ton of the heavy lifting with this fragrance. And the Banana and Coconut give it a unique creaminess to the finish. This is a true tropical gourmand that doesn’t have to rely on any of the other overdone tropical notes to stand out.
4) KAYALI YUM BOUJEE MARSHMALLOW 81 – $148.00 for 50ml
POSITION IN PREVIOUS RANKING – *New Entry*
NOTES: Top: Frieesia, Italian Lemon, Nectarine Blossom, Apple. Middle: Marshmallow, Strawberry, Coconut, Orange Blossom. Base: Whipped Cream, Sugar, Vanilla, Musk, Raspberry, Ambroxan
I feel like this should be higher in the rankings just off the back of how much I’ve worn it since it launched back in February. I said in my initial review that it reminded me of a strawberry milkshake that used jam as opposed to syrup for the fruit base. It has that creamy, yet jammy quality. Now that I’ve had this one for a minute, I’ve noticed the Marshmallow and Vanilla really begin to jump out. Which only adds to the sweetness. I can see this rising in the rankings the next time I do this.
3) KAYALI VANILLA 28 – $150.00 for 50ml
POSITION IN PREVIOUS RANKING – Third
NOTES – Top: Vanilla Orchid, Jasmine. Middle: Brown Sugar, Tonka Bean. Base: Amber, Amberwood, Musk, Patchouli.
Listen, Vanilla 28 is a classic for a reason. I said as much in my original rankings. I even recently got my sister onto this fragrance (she saw how much it was and swore at me after I bought it for her). It’s such a perfect choice for someone who wants to dip their toe into the gourmand world.
2) KAYALI THE WEDDING SILK SANTAL 36 – $147.00 for 50ml
POSITION IN PREVIOUS RANKING – Fourth
NOTES – Top: Champagne, Freesia, Blackcurrant. Middle: Nectarine, Praline, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, May Rose. Base: Vanilla, Sugar, Musk, Sandalwood, Amberwood, Oakmoss.
Last year, Mona finally did right by the Kayali fandom and added The Wedding Collection to the permanent range. Which meant I could FINALLY use my beloved Silk Santal without the risk of running out. It is the best wedding day fragrance for someone who likes a lighter scent. The Nectarine and Vanilla pair so beautifully together. And the Champagne note give the finish an overall sparkling quality. It stands out without being too much.
1) KAYALI YUM PISTACHIO GELATO 33 – $162.00 for 50ml
POSITION IN PREVIOUS RANKING – First
Top: Pistachio, Bergamot, Ice Cream, Hazelnut, Rum, Cardamon. Middle: Lily Of The Valley, Peony, Pear, Jasmine, Geranium, White Peach, Raspberry. Base: Whipped Cream, Marshmallow, Cotton Candy, Turkish Delight, Tonka Bean, Sandalwood, Cedar, Cacao
But even 18 months and a vast array of launches later, Pistachio Gelato is still my numero uno. I know that this is probably anticlimactic, but I’m yet to find a Kayali fragrance that I love more than this one. It’s sweet, creamy, light, fluffy. Basically everything I could want out of a gourmand fragrance. It stays consistent throughout the days wear. I always get compliments when I wear it. I love it so much. It’s basically my signature scent at this point. I said what I said.
And that is a wrap on my Kayali top five! Let me know if a full ranking is something you want to see from me in the future. Otherwise, I will see you cool cats on Friday for a long awaited makeup review!
Cheers and love
Emily xo