Island Hawaii

It fascinating how people either love or hate tropical scents, but as for MK’s Island Hawaii, I love it not because I am a fan of tropical fruity myself but also this one specifically is the most personal scent I’ve ever worn. On my last trip back to my home country, we have to transfer at Haikou, Hainan Province. This Southernmost part of China is of tropical climate and although it was the middle of January, it was unusually warm like late spring. While me, my dad and my sister had the time, we took a taxi to the “old town”. As the cocktail I was wearing sizzled into my nose, all I can say in my mind was: “this scent really compliments”. The mass apartment buildings, the small businesses cramping together. The probably palm trees growing within the sea of concrete, indicating that this island province had more similarities than different to the mainland up North. Kate Spade’s Live Colourfully would also complement such scene, but more leaning towards the concrete where the white collars dwell by day. Fast forward to when we taxi again back to the airport, the cocktail that is MK Island Hawaii returned to my nose, reminding me of childhood. When mom and I would transfer around Shenzhen and Hong Kong and the handbag with that Nokia she always carried. Sometimes after that 2 week trip, I’ve returned to Auckland NZ. I put this cocktail on again, while my Chinese side remained fresh in my mind. It’s strange right? I never been to Hawaii so it doesn’t make sense! Above all, I love this masterpiece and I’m proud of it! For those who like underrated or fruity fruity scents, you’re not alone. Don’t let other’s negativity bring you down because behind every unusual fragrance choices, there’s always a backstory so deep.

Instant Vacation Vibes with Humid, Clean Tropical-Orange... This scent has a humid quality and reminds me of a hotel in a humid, tropical climate with open-air hallways carrying air heavy with clean laundry, tropical fruits and freshly squeezed orange juice. Signed by perfumer Bruno Jovanovic, this beauty opens with a burst of clementine & neroli with fruity, soft orange & clean touches that transitions into a orange blossom & ginger heart resting on a clean & creamy amber-woody base. The opening is beautiful and the citrus here is more like orange kool-aid with neroli bringing a clean pungency. The drydown is a lather of creamy sandalwood & resins that's slightly soapy. Contrast to Neroli Portofino Tom Ford: These are different, but there are some similarities in the openings, both being neroli forward scents. NP is less sweet and it doesn't have the orange-kool-aid backdrop. NP is even more neroli forward. Performance is roughly equivalent. Overall: A beautiful scent profile with a light summer wearing experience, this is the perfect scent to wear for an instant vacation vibe. This is a longtime love for me. Enjoy!

This is still one of the BEST perfumes I've ever had and I have yet to find anything even close to it (and believe me I've tried) I usually don't care for florals as much as I do fruitier scents with coconut or clean scents like D&G Light Blue. But MK Island Hawaii is such a beautiful scent with a great combination of floral & fruit that's not easy to achieve. Unfortunately I can't find a dupe that's even close but I just can't afford the price of this one. So I've held onto a sample vile I've had for years just so I can smell it every now and then lol

I've never been to Hawaii but if hawaii really smell like this perfume I would retire all my money in my saving account and jump on the first plane to live there! I have to say a lot of mIchael kors perfume smell chemical (I know I have most of the island collection) but Hawaii is the exception to the rule, a beautiful mix of gentle white flowers combined with the freshness of orange and you get an amazing smell that makes you wanna say aloha to everyone around you

It was love at first sniff from the sample I received years ago, and I still have about half a bottle left. It is still one of my go-to summer fragrances. All I picture when I smell this are the orange trees in bloom from my childhood in California. Also, I have gotten so many compliments whenever I wear this. Wish MK would bring this one back! Anyone have any suggestions on something extremely similar?