I Tried Kayali Perfumes — Here’s What No One Tells You About Them

So… is it actually worth it? I spent some time exploring the brand (more than I care to admit) — and here’s the real story behind Kayali perfumes.

11/3/20253 min read

If you’ve ever fallen down a perfume TikTok hole, you’ve seen Kayali. Those frosted bottles lined up like a vanity dream, each one promising a new era of femininity — or at least a new excuse to smell delicious. But behind the influencer glam is an actual story worth telling.

The Brand: Born From the Huda Empire

Kayali (which means “my imagination” in Arabic) is the brainchild of Mona Kattan, co-founder of Huda Beauty and full-time fragrance obsessive. Unlike most celebrity perfume launches that feel like cash grabs, Kayali is Mona’s genuine passion project — built around the art of layering scents to create your own signature cloud.

She literally keeps a perfume fridge. Enough said :)

The Concept: Layering, but Make It Luxury

Kayali’s whole identity revolves around customization. You’re not meant to just pick one and spray — you’re meant to layer them, mix them, and play chemist with your mood.
Their bottles are even labeled with numbers (like Vanilla | 28 or Utopia Vanilla Coco | 21) to mark their creation order — a subtle nod to Mona’s ongoing fragrance journey.

Layering ideas people swear by:

  • Vanilla 28 + Musk 12 → soft, cozy, clean girl energy

  • Eden Juicy Apple 01 + Déjà Vu White Flower 57 → flirty and romantic

  • Vanilla 28 + Invite Only Amber 23 → grown woman meets dessert

Basically: Kayali turns “smelling nice” into “building your personal brand.”

The Scents: A Quick Breakdown

Here’s a bite-sized guide to the most talked-about bottles — and what they really smell like:

Vanilla 28

the queen bee. Brown sugar, tonka bean, and vanilla orchid. If comfort were a scent

Eden Juicy Apple 01

teenage dream bottled. Think crisp apple, berries, and light musk

Lovefest Burning Cherry 48

black cherry, praline, and smoky wood

Utopia Vanilla Coco 21

tropical but classy. Beach vacation, money, freedom

Eden Sparkling Lychee

fruity, sexy, addictive. Fresh and cheeky vibes

Why Kayali Works

  1. Aesthetic Appeal – clean bottles, perfect for Pinterest boards and bathroom shelves.

  2. Layering Freedom – makes people feel like fragrance artists.

  3. Community Buzz – Kayali fans are religious about sharing their combos online.

  4. Quality Without Full Niche Pricing – mid-luxury prices, but luxe experience.

It’s that rare brand that manages to be viral and credible at the same time.

Final Verdict

Kayali isn’t for people who want one perfume forever — it’s for those who want a mood board in liquid form.
It’s not about smelling like someone else. It’s about curating your own vibe.
They are definitely worth every penny.

So if you’re tired of “signature scents” and ready to start perfume moodboarding your life, Kayali is exactly where to begin.