fragrance

Destination Inspiration – Perfumes Inspired by Hawaii

Hawaii perfumes

Here I go again featuring a Destination Inspiration of a place that I’ve never visited. I must fix this. It really does look like paradise.

One of the odd things that I’ve noticed about people that have traveled to Hawaii is that they want to tell you what it smells like. When I speak with people that just traveled to Alaska, New York or Paris, they don’t volunteer to tell me what they smelled while they were there. When I talk to people that have just traveled to Hawaii (or used to live there) they always bring up Hawaii’s many smells. These people have no clue that I’m into perfumes or have a fragrance blog, but they want to tell me about the many aromas of Hawaii. I’ve concluded that this place has some major olfactory impact.

Hawaiian leis

When it comes to Hawaiian inspired perfumes I see one huge theme and that theme is FLOWERS. It’s brands trying to capture people’s olfactory floral associations. I also notice that in comparison to other “destinations” that Hawaii has inspired entire lines of perfume! And of course, there are perfumes that I think are just for tourists but since I haven’t traveled there, I can’t say. They could be very popular with locals, I don’t know.

I like to try to break Destination Inspiration’s into themes but really with Hawaii there are just few. It’s fruits or flowers. And there are entire lines inspired Hawaii. I’ve started with fruits, flowers and the occasional lava perfume. And after that I’ve included entire lines inspired by Hawaii.

Hawaii Perfumes

FRUITS & FLOWERS (Oh, and a few “lava”)

Terra Nova Pikake Perfume Oil – Let me introduce you to one of my cheap thrills…this is a big ‘ole tropical jasmine perfume oil. Simple but I want to smell like this sometimes. And it retails for only $17 at Terra Nova.

Terra Nova White Ginger Perfume Oil – This isn’t a ginger scent but a ginger lily scent. It’s a big ‘ole floral too. Retails for $17 at Terra Nova. This line also has other Hawaiian inspired perfumes.

Wicked Wahine Perfume – This white floral has been around since the late 1960s and because of that, it has some fans. Retails for under $20 on Amazon. 

Demeter Lava Rock Cologne – It’s nice to see a a non-fruits-or-flowers on the list. This is a mineral, spicy, earthy scent inspired by Volcanoes National Park. Retails for $20 at Demeter.

Demeter Hawaiian Vanilla Cologne – Hey, another one that isn’t a fruit or flower! This is like a warm tropical-ish vanilla. Retails for $20 at Demeter.

Pacifica Hawaiian Ruby Guava EDP – It’s a super fruity fragrances that surprisingly layers nicely with a few other Pacifica perfumes. Retails for $22 at Pacifica.

Pacifica Waikiki Pikake EDP – It’s a sheer, pretty jasmine. Actually does nicely with the Hawaiian Ruby Guava mentioned above. Retails for $22 at Pacifica.

Phoenix Botanicals Ka Pueo Perfume – I call this all-natural perfume a “lava rock white floral”. It’s a smoky floral. Retails for $38 at Phoenix Botanicals. Full review.

United Scents of America Hawaii EDP – This is a tropical fruity floral with pineapple and plumeria. Retails for $44 at United Scents of America.

Olivine Amongst the Waves Perfume Oil – I love this coconut gardenia with an addition of stargazer lilies. It’s inspired by the perfumer’s frequent trips to Hawaii with her surfer husband. Retails for $48 at Beautyhabit. An EDP is also available. Full review

Kai Perfume Oil – A cult-classic gardenia fragrance oil inspired by the creator’s childhood in Hawaii. Retails for $48 at Beautyhabit. Full review.

Comptoir Sud Pacifique Aloha Tiare EDT – This is a white floral with some sweetness. Retails for under $50 at discount sites like Perfume.com. 

NomaTerra Oahu Gardenia Perfume Oil – It’s a pretty white floral that isn’t “heavy”. Retails for $55 at NomaTerra.

Opus Oils Island EDP – This is from the Island Girl Collection. It’s an all-natural tropical flower. Lush and sweet. Retails for $75 at Opus Oils. A perfume oil is also available.

MCMC Perfumes Maui EDP – This is like a spicy ginger anise tea. Retails for $95 at MCMC. It’s also available in a perfume oil.

Hawaii perfumes

 ENTIRE LINES

MAOLI Perfumes – This is an indie line of simple, wholesome, organic solid perfumes available at Maoli. They’re actually made by kids and for kids. But, people of all ages enjoy them.

Malie Organics Perfumes – This line has products for the body and home. The scents come in a wide range from floral inspired to rainforest inspired. Perfumes retail for $32 at Maile. There are so many great things in this line.

Melissa Flagg Hawaiian Perfumes – This line has an entire Hawaiian collection featuring floral scents. Comes in EDPs and perfume oils retailing from $36-$46 at Beautyhabit. If you like perfumes like Kai, this line is worth checking out.

Saffron James EDPs – This line is also inspired by the founder’s childhood in Hawaii. The line features body oils and EDPs with prices ranging from $38-$85 at Beautyhabit. I’ve tried a few and really liked them. Here’s my review of Nani, Ipo and Punono. 

Aloha Beauty – This line contains perfumes, incense and body products that are made in Hawaii. The brand has been around since the mid-70’s. The floral inspired perfumes retail for about $29 at Aloha Beauty.

Hawaii candles

THE EXTRAS

Capri Blue Aloha Orchid & Volcano Tin Candles – This is a line of candles inspired by Hawaii. One smells like a lei and the other is more fruity and citrus-y.I love the crisp cobalt and white packaging of these. Retails for $14.50 at Candles Off Main. 

Archipelago Lanai Glass Jar Candle – It’s a tropical, fruity candle. Retails for about $20 at Archipelago. 

Yankee Candle Hawaiian Holiday Candle – It’s a juicy pineapple that retails for about $28 at Yankee Candle. 

Alba Botanica Hawaiian Collection (no image)- Alba has an entire line of products for the face, body and hair inspired by Hawaii with floral, fruity and coconut scents. I like the Cocoa Butter Lotion which retails for about $10 at drugstore.com. 

Hawaii

This Destination Inspiration really is one for those that love florals! To those that live or have traveled to Hawaii, which perfumes or scents do you associate with Hawaii?

*Hawaii pics from Hawaii’s tourism board. Beautyhabit, drugstore.com and Perfume.com are affiliate links.

6 thoughts on “Destination Inspiration – Perfumes Inspired by Hawaii

  1. Love this! My favorite smell of Hawaii is the salty ocean air mixed with flowers- plumeria and citrus blossoms. There are so many nice natural scents in the air i did not feel like wearing perfume.
    Are you planning a trip to Paradise, Victoria ? 😉

    1. People tell me that they don’t wear anything because they don’t want it to interfere with the naturally beautiful scents of the islands!

      One day I will, actually it would be a great Feb. trip to escape the winter gloom of Seattle.

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