Kai by Gaye Straza recently launched a new feminine fragrance called Kai Rose, a flanker to the brand's original Kai. Kai was launched way back in 1999 (!), and if you participated in any perfume message boards, perfume swaps, or perfume meet-ups in the following decade, or even received a "gift with purchase" bag from Barneys during that time, you no doubt encountered a perfume vial tagged with Kai's green-and-white logo.

Kai was never really my thing, but then again, I've never been big fan of gardenia or the whole boho-chic style (another trend of the "aughts"). Kai Rose, on the other hand, seemed worth a sniff. It's reportedly "a blend of a gardenia wrapped in white exotics layered with rose absolute," formulated as an oil and packaged in a roll-on vial just like its big sister. It shares the original fragrance's sensibility, too: Kai Rose is a clean, soft scent that wears very close to the body. It's fairly straightforward, but nicely done. On my skin it initially blooms as a very pretty mix of a true-rose note and some spicy white lily, then dries down into a quiet tea rose with some dewy green notes. It's just a touch soap-y, but it still smells more like a proper fragrance than a scented body product.

I usually prefer rose fragrances that are either a bit more deep and dramatic (Maria Candida Gentile Cinabre, Byredo Rose Noir, Ormonde Jayne Ta'if) or powdery and nostalgic (Les Parfums de Rosine Ballerina no. 1, Frederic Malle Lipstick Rose), but on a warm, sunny day, a linear, easygoing rose floral like Kai Rose is nice to have around. It doesn't demand any deep analysis; it's just happy to keep you company. Kai's slogan is "Breath. Life. Flow.," and I suppose Kai's fragrances offer a similar sense of acceptance or being "in the moment." Like a good yoga stretch, Kai Rose can help clear your mind and make you smile. Sometimes that's more than enough.

Kai Rose is available as 3.7 ml Perfume Oil ($48) at Barneys and Luckyscent. The matching body wash and lotion are $37 each.

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