What it is: An intoxicating perfume fragrance oil made with essential oils in a convenient, easy-to-use rollerball.
Fragrance story: This fragrance features a light blend of gardenia wrapped in white exotics.
0.12 oz.
Natural Beauty & Wellness products are free of sulfates, phthalates, parabens, petrochemicals, mineral oil, silicone and talc; also free of phosphate and gluten
Ingredients are subject to change at the manufacturer's discretion. For the most complete and up-to-date list of ingredients, refer to the product packaging
Shipping & returns
Free shipping. Free returns. All the time. Purchases made online can also be returned or exchanged at any Nordstrom store, free of charge. Read more about our shipping & returns policies.
Gift options
Choose your gift options at checkout. Some items may not be eligible for all gift options.
Free Pickup
Printed gift message (free)
Nordstrom gift box (free)
Fabric gift bag ($5)
Delivery
Email gift message (free)
Printed gift message (free)
Fabric gift bag ($5)
Need help finding the perfect gift? We've got you covered.
In 1999, Gaye Straza created kai: a light, intoxicating scent of gardenia and other exotic white flowers. After years of avoiding perfumes, Straza created this soothing scent for herself, based on her experiences as a youth vacationing in the tropics. Originally offered only in Straza's exclusive Malibu fashion boutique, kai is now available to all in fragrance, bath, body and home products.
If you like the scent of a gardenia flower, this is the perfume for you. Believe me I have tried them all. I have tried very expensive perfumes but this small roll on seems pricey for how small it is, but lasts a long time. I don't think $48 is expensive. Everytime I wear it and I mean everytime, I get compliments from friends as well as people I don't know. Kai makes a spray for $76 which is larger, but I would suggest getting 2 of the roll ons. They smell better, you can fit them in a cluch and wait till you see all the compliments you receive. This is a winner.
gardeniacutekidkellyann1
48found this helpful
Most helpful critical review
Sept 16, 2020
Underwhelming Short Lasting Overpriced Scent
I heard about this scent from a YouTube beauty infulencer, and thought that it sounded like a scent I would LOVE. I ordered it, thinking the price was very expensive but if the scent was as good as some have raved about, it would be worth it. $50 for a roller-ball that is smaller than my pinkie finger is EXPENSIVE, but this oil is intended to maintain the scent/fragrance on the skin or last longer than a typical spray fragrance without the oil. I was hugely disappointed, in terms of scent and longevity! I am used to paying a hefty price for over-hyped perfume, but this takes the cake! Imagine a white flower, and it's nice scent. That's all, a nice white flower. I see no reason to pay $50 for your typical white flower scent in the shape of a roller-ball that is smaller than my pinkie finger in size. Sorry, I was expecting a whole lot more for the $50 price tag. The scent is nice, but again, it's just nice and is nothing to write home about. For the price, I am certain there are dupes that can do a much better job, especially when it comes to cost. I wanted to absolutely love this product, and it left me underwhelmed. Save yourself the $50 and buy a fragrance with some staying power. To add insult to injury, I purchased the $78 Kai spray as well. The reason this review earned one star, is due to Nordstrom's fantastic return policy.
chelseybaker11
Verified purchase
15found this helpful
Customer photos
Add your photo & review
Share your photo to help other shoppers.
5 stars76%
4 stars10%
3 stars4%
2 stars6%
1 star3%
Pros:
Cons:
Current reviews don’t mention any.
Sept 7, 2014
Kai Perfume Roll On
If you like the scent of a gardenia flower, this is the perfume for you. Believe me I have tried them all. I have tried very expensive perfumes but this small roll on seems pricey for how small it is, but lasts a long time. I don't think $48 is expensive. Everytime I wear it and I mean everytime, I get compliments from friends as well as people I don't know. Kai makes a spray for $76 which is larger, but I would suggest getting 2 of the roll ons. They smell better, you can fit them in a cluch and wait till you see all the compliments you receive. This is a winner.
gardeniacutekidkellyann1
48found this helpful
July 5, 2013
subtle sexy
I am not a big perfume girl, nor do I usually write reviews. However, this perfume is a standard daily part of my beauty routine. It is wonderful, subtle and feminine. It changes in tiny ways to react to my personal body chemistry. I am complimented on how I smell but people think the scent is just me, my soaps. Even those that have commented on how good I usually smell are surprised to find out it is a perfume. LOVE this stuff! I won't leave home without it!
redyogini
25found this helpful
July 27, 2016
A year-round staple
I'm not an oil person, as they are usually much too earthy for my taste (patchouli, cedar, musks, etc). However I discovered Kai and fell in love. I was traveling and couldn't bring too much back, so I opted for a few of the oils to save space. I'm so glad I did! It's a very sophisticated floral that is perfect year-round. The most identifiable note (to me) is gardenia, but it's not so obvious that you smell like a single flower. Ironically, I've gotten more compliments on this scent than I have for the dozens of unique perfumes that I meticulously collect from all over the world! It may seem expensive for an oil, but it lasts so long, it took weeks before it even looked like I used any. The scent has great staying power. It lasts and evolves throughout the day, and people need to be close to you to smell it, so you're not leaving a trail of scent in your wake. I'm also thrilled with the vial v. spray or other products, because it's to small and easy to travel with. I use this for discreet freshen-ups on planes when spritzing yourself would be quite obnoxious. I keep one in my office, one in my handbag, and one on my vanity, and will definitely give a few as special gifts.
heppi
21found this helpful
Sept 16, 2020
Underwhelming Short Lasting Overpriced Scent
I heard about this scent from a YouTube beauty infulencer, and thought that it sounded like a scent I would LOVE. I ordered it, thinking the price was very expensive but if the scent was as good as some have raved about, it would be worth it. $50 for a roller-ball that is smaller than my pinkie finger is EXPENSIVE, but this oil is intended to maintain the scent/fragrance on the skin or last longer than a typical spray fragrance without the oil. I was hugely disappointed, in terms of scent and longevity! I am used to paying a hefty price for over-hyped perfume, but this takes the cake! Imagine a white flower, and it's nice scent. That's all, a nice white flower. I see no reason to pay $50 for your typical white flower scent in the shape of a roller-ball that is smaller than my pinkie finger in size. Sorry, I was expecting a whole lot more for the $50 price tag. The scent is nice, but again, it's just nice and is nothing to write home about. For the price, I am certain there are dupes that can do a much better job, especially when it comes to cost. I wanted to absolutely love this product, and it left me underwhelmed. Save yourself the $50 and buy a fragrance with some staying power. To add insult to injury, I purchased the $78 Kai spray as well. The reason this review earned one star, is due to Nordstrom's fantastic return policy.
Verified purchase
chelseybaker11
15found this helpful
May 10, 2013
signature scent
I've been wearing Kai oil for over 5 years and still get compliments. I love how subtle it is, my favorite!
Micuchita
14found this helpful
Nov 9, 2013
Kai perfume oil... Oh if it were only bigger!
I live this perfume oil. I work in a hospital so it's generally a no-no to wear fragrance out of respect for patients' air space. But this oil is so suttle yet wonderfully aromatic. I always get compliments. I love how this oil smells different on everyone so its like a customized fragrance just for mee. Oh how I only wish it came in a large size, I wouldn't miss it so when I run out!