Kayali Discovery Sampler Set FULL REVIEW

Like I've previously mentioned, I (27F) have started my journey through fragrances about 3 months ago. My boyfriend gifted me this discovery sampler set from Kayali on Christmas because I had previously stated this brand interested me. I have just finished it and decided to post a complete review of all the fragrances in this discovery set as part of a journal of sorts I'm keeping on Reddit of my fragrance journey and hobby. Bear in mind I am still new at all of this, so I might not have all the correct adjectives and my nose is still getting used to picking up different notes. Just wanted to put this out there for people who are interested in this brand and aren't sure if they want to buy this sampler (like I was).

So my boyfriend got the Discovery Sampler Set through Sephora for 33$ CAN. There are eight 1.5ml vials with spray nozzles. I have seen reports of people getting a version of the sample kit that has Elixir | 11 and Citrus | 08 instead of Eden Juicy Apple | 01 and Lovefest Burning Cherry | 48, but it wasn't the case for me. I think it's really worth it for someone who wants to experience the majority of the Kayali line. I was drawn to this brand due to the social media hype around each fragrance, but also because of the nice bottle design. I also thought the discovery sample kit offered 8 different types of fragrance which would allow me to experience a variety of different scents.

(I have decided early on through my journey (after buying too many full bottles, that I would test fragrances either in-store or through 1.5ml vials before going for a 10ml size. If I finish the 10ml size, I would then buy a full bottle. This discovery sample thus allowed me to apply my rule of acquiring fragrances.)

So here goes my full review:

Vanilla | 28: This fragrance is the main reason why I wanted to try Kayali. I'm a gourmand perfume lover above all else and Vanilla 28 was on my radar from the beginning. I have a 50ml bottle of this juice, so I can already tell you I'm absolutely in love with this fragrance. It's one of the most beautiful vanilla fragrance I have smelled up until now. The opening is sweet, but mature, sensual and a bit dark. It gives me luxurious and opulent vibes through and through. On my skin, the tonka beans and the brown sugar mix together to form this incredible warm and sweet blanket. The drydown is warm and cozy because of the amber and musk with the patchouli giving it this grounded earthy scent. It's not cloying nor artificial which I have smelled in other vanilla fragrances. It's a nice base if you're into layering if you want to amp up the sugary and vanilla notes of another perfume. When I'll finish my 50ml bottle, I might get myself a 100ml bottle.

Musk | 12: It's a soft musky and powdery smell. I tried it at the beginning and even then I have trouble recalling the smell without the help of my notes and my review on Fragrantica. I remember it being a soft fragrance ideal for spring and summer. I also recall trying to empty it by wearing it to bed. Unfortunately, I'm not a lover of powdery notes and I like fragrance that have a little more impact. If I can't recall the smell, it's an immediate no for my collection. I will not be going further with this perfume.

Déjà Vu White Flower | 57 Eau de Parfum: The top notes for this perfume were amazing. I loved the tangy juicy ripe sweet smell that came with the pear and nectarine. Unfortunately, the top notes dissipate almost instantly in favor of the white flowers. Those flowers became an overpowering indolic block. The drydown is what saved this perfume a bit. I love vanilla, sandalwood and cashmere wood. They are some of my favorite notes. These three notes finally came through, shy at first, but asserting their presence as time went by. It turned the indolic aspect down and amped up some sweetness. The patchouli played nice this time, staying behind everything, but giving a nice grounded animalic vibe. I have seen a better interpretation of white flowers in perfume, which is why, in part, I won't be buying a 10 ml of this perfume.

Sweet Diamond Pink Pepper | 25: I'm not usually a fan of rose perfume. They're either too sweet and immature or too old and powdery. I was pleasantly surprised with this one. I loved the sweet peppery aspect of it. At first, there was a metallic zing that turned me off when I brought my nose up to my skin. This metallic zing reminded me of the smell of chinese noodles (maybe because of the pepper? I'm still confused). I thought I was over this fragrance, but as I was finishing the sampler, I started reaching for it more and more. I've grown accustomed to the metallic aspect of it and I don't find it so unpleasant anymore. Overall it's a nice peppery rose perfume that gives off nice feminine energy. I have decided to get a 10ml bottle to test it out further.

Utopia Vanilla Coco | 21: i've always associated sunscreen with coconut or with powdery smells so I was wary when I first tried it out. I hesitated a few times between getting a 10ml bottle or letting this one go. The coconut remains the star here throughout the top, middle and bottom notes. The lactonic and powdery aspect did turn me off a little bit at the beginning, but I ended up getting used to it. I began smelling this creamy coconut and vanilla smell, different from the usual powdery scent I get that makes me associate coconut notes with sunscreen. There were a few white flowers that peaked through, but nothing that made them stand out (which is good, I have other white flower smells in my collection, not looking to add another one). I think the ambrette gave this juice a peppery zing to it, but nothing over the top. In the end, it came down to the fact I have gone back to it although I'm still open at smelling other coconut fragrance. I will be going for a 10ml bottle to test it out further.

Invite Only Amber | 23: I was so sure I was going to love this perfume because of the amber in its name and the breakdown of the accords on Fragrantica. Sweet, amber and warm spicy? Yes please. Unfortunately, the sour cherry, tobacco leaf, chocolate, agarwood and patchouli melded together to form this almost impenetrable earthy burning smell. Sour cherries and tobacco leaf finally came out on top of everything and I'm not someone who loves having those notes on her skin. I feel like Invite Only Amber has similar DNA to Lovefest Burning Cherry in its top notes, while the middle notes have similar DNA with Vanilla Royale Sugared Patchouli without the leather aspect of it. Since I'm not a fan of tobacco and cherries, I will not be going forward with this perfume.

Eden Juicy Apple | 01: The intense blast of sweet sugary apple and alcohol, might be off-putting in the beginning, but it ends up dissipating fairly quickly. You're left with a nice juicy, sugary tart apple scent. Almost made me hungry for an apple. I did smell a bit of raspberry in the background, but the apple clearly stays the star here. It's sweet and young, linear and borders on the chemical aspect (I understand people who feel it smells like a Garnier shampoo). Despite all of this, it's a nice apple scent that I want to keep in my collection until I stumble upon a better apple perfume. I almost went for a 50ml bottle, until I remembered my rule. It might still end up being a 50ml bottle in a few months. Until then, I'll have a 10ml bottle to finish.

Lovefest Burning Cherry | 48: Like I mentioned previously, I'm not a huge fan of cherries. They do smell good, but the earthy and tart notes usually turn me off. I already knew I wouldn't like this juice for this sole reason. On a more objective side, I'm sure people who love cherries would like this one. It's dark, sensual and gives of a nice woody burning fruity aspect. It's a bit heavy for day time wear, but for a date night, it'd be perfect. I see this perfume as a date-type fragrance: sexy, nice, dark and bold. Nonetheless, I will not be going forward with a 10ml bottle.

BONUS - Vanilla Royale Sugared Patchouli | 64: Fragrances became a hobby for me around the same time as this perfume came out. Because I was already checking out Kayali, I decided to skip immediately to a 10ml travel bottle to try it (it was also before I had set up rules to not overspend xD). I desperately wanted to love this one because of the crème brûlée note. With vanilla orchid, brown sugar, amber and musk, what was not to love? People described this perfume as the more opulent, sexy and luxurious sister to Vanilla 28. Because I love the latter, I was sure I was going to love this one. I couldn't be more wrong. The most prominent note on my skin throughout was the leather note. I have nothing against leather per se, but I don't want my skin to smell like the interior of a new car. I'd sometimes catch a whiff of sugar, but nothing that was exciting. I think the patchouli, leather and oud note blended together to form an earthy (almost acrid) albeit decadent scent on my skin. If I'd have to rename this juice, it would be Vanilla Royale Sugared Leather. I'm really sad I didn't like it. Ended up giving it to my boyfriend and it smells exactly like I wanted it to smell on my skin: a nice sugary rum and crème brulée confection. At least someone gets to enjoy this fragrance...

CONCLUSION

The Kayali discovery sampler set allowed me to start my journey through fragrances in a nice exciting way. I'm super happy I got to try almost all the house of Kayali (I might get Elixir and Citrus one day as 10ml bottles to test them out). My wallet is happy I'm only getting three bottles out of all of this (only one 50ml bottle for now). It's overall a win win.

A few things I've figured out by trying these fragrances:

• I'm a gourmand lover before anything else. I love sugar, vanilla, vanilla orchid, amber and musk notes.
• I don't like cherry, coffee, chocolate and leather notes.
• Patchouli does work, but it depends on where it is, how strong it is, and where it is in the juice (top, middle, base notes)
• I will be exploring fruity, amber and floral scents further down the line.

I have access to Shopper's Drug Market and Sephora so I'm concentrating my efforts through there before branching out. I want to smell everything they have in their inventory through discovery sample kits and travel sizes. I also received another discovery sample kit (Commodity Expressive Set) that I will be testing out a bit later and writing a complete review. Before this though, I will be going through the fragrances I already have and the many small samplers I have received through purchases I've made on Sephora. I hope this review has helped some of you!

*** Cover from Mart Production