The Beauty Ed®’s Note: Having spent almost three decades struggling to write about fragrance so as not to get caught up in the hard-to-understand pretentious language, THE LAB’s Contributing Editor, Gia captures what KAYALI is about perfectly in this article. The Middle Eastern art of fragrance layering is a trend I am yet to test on myself and I love how the Kattan sisters have shaken up an industry that was so ready to be disrupted!
Inside The Disruptive World of KAYALI Fragrances
Few fragrance brands have managed to balance glamour and relatability quite like KAYALI. Launched in 2018 by sisters Mona Kattan and Huda Kattan, the brand has become one of the most recognisable names in modern fragrance, particularly amongst Gen Z and young millennial beauty audiences.
Earlier last year, the sisters announced a new chapter for the company, with Mona continuing forward as CEO and leading the future vision of the brand independently. For long-time followers of the Kattan sisters, it marked a significant shift, but one that feels deeply aligned with Mona’s identity as the emotional core of KAYALI.
And truthfully, a huge part of my own fascination with the brand began through the series Dubai Bling. (2022)
(Some of the Dubai bling cast including Mona’s husband: Hassan Elamin)
Dubai has always been somewhere deeply familiar to me. My family has travelled there since I was little, so when Dubai Bling first launched, all of us watched it together obsessively. Amidst all the chaos, glamour and inevitable drama, Mona Kattan was like a breath of fresh air.
What intrigued me most were the glimpses inside the her offices and the fragrance world itself. The bottles looked luxurious yet playful; inspired by traditional Middle Eastern perfume artistry, but modernised.
(Mona’s Dubai office)
Why Gen Z Is Obsessed with KAYALI
Unlike traditional fragrance houses that focus on a singular signature scent, Kayali built its identity around layering fragrances together, something heavily rooted in Middle Eastern perfume culture.
Many of the fragrances are rich, warm or fruity-floral, with recognisable notes like oud, vanilla, amber, musk and pistachio appearing throughout collections, but interpreted in a softer, more wearable way for everyday use.
Some of the cult favourites include:
If I had to recommend one fragrance to start with, it would still be Vanilla 28. It is warm without being sickly and rich without becoming overpowering. The blend of brown sugar, vanilla orchid, amber and tonka bean creates something incredibly comforting and expensive-smelling on the skin.
An Honest Review of the New KAYALI Eden Summer Collection
This summer, I tested the new KAYALI Eden Plush Pear 23 and KAYALI Eden Sweet Peach 35 fragrances during my travels through Italy, and both instantly felt perfect for hot weather and long evenings.
They sit under the “Eden” franchise, Kayali’s fruity-floral collection known for playful, juicy scents.
1.Eden Plush Pear🍐 | 23 “The clean girl scent with a fruity twist”
Out of the two, Plush Pear became my favourite almost immediately.
With notes of pear, bergamot, mandarin and gardenia, it smells incredibly fresh without being overly citrusy. The first evening I wore it, I was complimented almost instantly. Even my best friend kept asking what perfume I had on because, in her words, “it just smells clean.”
That is honestly the best way I can describe it.
It has that freshly-washed softness to it, almost like luxury laundry mixed with delicate florals. There is something very effortless about it.
I tested the 10ml miniature version, which has been perfect for travelling. I keep it inside my makeup pouch and reapply throughout the day, especially in the Italian heat where perfume disappears quickly.
The soft coral-pink bottle also unintentionally matched my summer nails, which somehow made me love it even more!
2.Eden Sweet Peach🍑 | 35 “Nostalgia in a bottle”
If Plush Pear feels clean and airy, Sweet Peach is its younger, louder sister.
This one is sweeter, warmer and far more playful. Notes of peach, nectarine blossom and frangipani make it smell almost edible, like a sweet sorbet during the summer.
What surprised me most was how nostalgic it felt…
About a week into testing it, I finally realised what it reminded me of: those iconic early-2000s Victoria’s Secret body mists everyone carried around at school.
The fruity-floral ones every changing room smelt of after PE.
Except this feels like the elevated grown-up version. The same mouth-watering juicy sweetness, but with far better longevity and depth.
It immediately reminded me of the old Pure Seduction era, that hyper-feminine fruity scent profile Gen Z is suddenly rediscovering again through the return of Y2K beauty!
Is KAYALI Perfume Worth The Price?
The miniatures begin at £28, whilst the larger bottles range upwards of £80-£110 depending on size.
Personally, I think the travel sizes are the smartest entry point into the brand, particularly because Kayali fragrances are designed for layering and switching depending on mood.
The KAYALI Eden Obsessions Miniature Set is probably the best option for anyone undecided, especially for summer travel.
And truthfully, that is where Kayali succeeds most: the fragrances feel emotional.
Some perfumes simply smell nice, whereas others become attached to memories, seasons, holidays and versions of yourself. These very much fall into the latter category.