Seamus Hammond
Kayali, the perfume brand, was founded in 2018 by beauty mogul and fragrance enthusiast Mona Kattan, alongside her sister, Huda Kattan, under the umbrella of their parent company, Huda Beauty. Mona Kattan, an American of Iraqi descent, is recognised as one of the most influential women in the fragrance industry and the Arab world. She is known as the Perfume Princess and has over 4,500 perfumes in her personal collection. Kayali was inspired by the rich fragrance-layering heritage of the Middle East and aims to help people express their true personalities through scent.
| Characteristics | Values | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founder | Mona Kattan | |||
| Co-founder | Huda Kattan | |||
| Year founded | 2018 | |||
| Parent company | Huda Beauty | |||
| Headquarters | Dubai | |||
| Number of social media followers | 6 million | |||
| Notable perfumes | KAYALI VANILLA | 28, ELIXIR | 11, Eden Juicy Apple | 01 Eau De Parfum |
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What You'll Learn
- Kayali was founded by Huda and Mona Kattan in 2018
- The brand's name translates to 'my imagination' in Arabic
- Mona Kattan is an influential entrepreneur in the fragrance industry
- Kayali fragrances are inspired by Middle Eastern heritage and layering rituals
- The brand has gained global recognition for its unique approach to modern perfumery
Kayali was founded by Huda and Mona Kattan in 2018
Kayali, the luxury fragrance brand, was founded by sisters Huda and Mona Kattan in 2018. Operating under the umbrella of parent company Huda Beauty, Kayali has quickly become a disruptive force in the fragrance industry. The brand has gained global recognition for its unique approach to modern perfumery, inspired by the rich fragrance-layering heritage of the Middle East.
Mona Kattan, an American-born entrepreneur of Iraqi descent, is recognised as one of the most influential women in the fragrance industry and the Arab world. Known as the "Perfume Princess", she has established herself as a leading figure in the fragrance world, with over 4,500 perfumes in her personal collection. Her passion for perfume is evident, with her social media accounts showcasing her extensive fragrance collections.
Under Mona Kattan's creative vision, Kayali has become a powerhouse in the fragrance industry. The brand collaborates with renowned perfumers and sources the finest ingredients to create unique, memorable, and long-lasting fragrances. Each scent is an ode to true craftsmanship, telling a special story through its notes and multi-faceted bottles.
In 2025, Huda Beauty sold its ownership in Kayali, with Mona Kattan becoming the sole owner and continuing her role as CEO. This transition marked a pivotal moment for the brand, as it embarked on its next chapter of growth and transformation. With the support of General Atlantic, a leading global growth investor, Kayali aims to expand its global presence and continue disrupting the fragrance industry.
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The brand's name translates to 'my imagination' in Arabic
Kayali is a brand of luxury fragrances inspired by the rich fragrance-layering heritage of the Middle East. The brand is the brainchild of Mona Kattan, who, along with her sister, has shown an overwhelming passion for perfume. The name "Kayali" translates to "my imagination" in Arabic, reflecting the brand's invitation to celebrate the infinite possibilities, memories, and moods that wearing beautiful perfumes can evoke.
Arabic is a Central Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family, primarily spoken in the Arab world. With approximately 380 million speakers, it is the fifth most spoken language globally and the fourth most used on the internet. Arabic has influenced languages worldwide, especially in regions where Islam is the predominant religion or in countries historically conquered by Muslims. Arabic is the liturgical language of Islam, and the Quran, the holy book of Islam, is written in Arabic.
The Kattan sisters, who live and run their businesses from Dubai, embrace diversity and have often spoken about the difficulties and bullying they faced as children. Their passion for perfume is evident in their extensive fragrance collections, and they believe that scent is the most transformative part of one's beauty routine.
Kayali fragrances are designed to allow individuals to express their true characters through scent. The brand encourages layering different perfumes, reflecting the diverse moods and personalities of its wearers. Rather than being tied down to the concept of a "signature scent," Kayali invites you to discover your unique fragrance—a scent for every layer of your personality.
With a range of perfumes, rollerballs, gift sets, and more, Kayali offers a fragrance for every occasion. From feminine florals to fruity citrus picks, warm and sheer options to spicy blends, Kayali's perfumes are characterful and work together harmoniously, transforming how you feel and personalizing your scent wardrobe.
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Mona Kattan is an influential entrepreneur in the fragrance industry
Mona Kattan's passion for perfume is evident, and she believes that "scent is the most transformative part of our beauty routine. It has the power to completely change how we feel". Her brand Kayali embodies this belief, inviting wearers to reflect their unique personalities and celebrate the infinite possibilities, memories, and moods that beautiful perfumes can evoke.
Mona's journey into the world of scent layering began with a collaboration with Firmenich, where she learned from experts and determined that the focus of her brand would be on allowing people to express their true characters through fragrance. She advocates for layering, a concept inspired by the rich fragrance-layering heritage of the Middle East, where wearers can create bespoke combinations to suit their ever-changing moods and personalities, rather than being tied down to a single signature scent.
The success of Kayali can be attributed to its decadent, luxurious, and characterful perfumes, with its Vanilla 28 fragrance propelling the brand to popularity. Other notable fragrances include Eden Juicy Apple, Kayali Vanilla, and Yum Pistachio Gelato, with the latter finding success with both male and female consumers.
Mona's influence in the industry is undeniable, with her brand's global expansion into markets like Mexico and Brazil, and her ability to tap into new consumer demographics. She has also leveraged the power of beauty influencers and online communities to familiarize consumers with her brand and products, further solidifying her impact in the fragrance industry.
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Kayali fragrances are inspired by Middle Eastern heritage and layering rituals
Kayali fragrances are inspired by founder Mona Kattan's Middle Eastern heritage and the rituals of layering scents practised in the region. Kattan, who is of Iraqi descent, launched the brand in 2018 under the umbrella of Huda Beauty, a company she co-founded with her sister, Huda Kattan.
Kattan's passion for perfume is well-known, and she has been dubbed the "Perfume Princess". With over 4,500 perfumes in her personal collection, she believes that "scent is our most transformative part of our beauty routine. It has the power to completely change how we feel."
The name "Kayali" translates to "my imagination" in Arabic, reflecting the brand's focus on allowing people to express their true characters through fragrance. The brand encourages its customers to layer different perfumes to create unique scents that reflect their moods and personalities. This concept is inspired by the Middle Eastern tradition of fragrance layering, which Kattan sought to modernise and make accessible to a global audience.
Kayali fragrances are designed to be characterful yet harmonious, allowing customers to mix and match without feeling overwhelmed. The brand collaborates with renowned perfumers and sources fine ingredients to create long-lasting, memorable, and cruelty-free fragrances. Each scent tells a special story, from its addictive notes to its multi-faceted jewel-inspired bottles.
With its unique approach to modern perfumery, Kayali has quickly gained global recognition and a dedicated community of followers. The brand's success has been driven by Kattan's passion, expertise, and commitment to fostering inclusivity and self-expression in the beauty industry.
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The brand has gained global recognition for its unique approach to modern perfumery
Kayali, the perfume brand founded by Huda and Mona Kattan, has gained global recognition for its unique approach to modern perfumery. The brand was launched in 2018 under the umbrella of the parent company Huda Beauty. However, in 2025, Huda Beauty sold its ownership in Kayali, with Mona Kattan becoming the CEO of the newly independent company.
Mona Kattan's passion for perfume has been instrumental in Kayali's success. Known as the "Perfume Princess", she has over 4,500 perfumes in her personal collection and has been recognised as the "Most Influential Social Media Personality" by The Fragrance Foundation in 2018. Her expertise has been featured in leading publications such as Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Elle.
Inspired by her Middle Eastern heritage, Mona Kattan's vision for Kayali centres around the art of layering fragrances to reflect one's unique personality and moods. This concept, which is deeply rooted in the fragrance-layering heritage of the Middle East, encourages people to express their true characters through scent. Each perfume in the Kayali collection is characterful and designed to work together, allowing individuals to create their own unique fragrance combinations.
The brand's collaboration with renowned perfumers and its use of the finest ingredients have resulted in luxurious, long-lasting, and cruelty-free fragrances. The perfumes are presented in multi-faceted jewelled bottles, adding to the overall allure of the brand. Kayali's unique approach has not only disrupted the fragrance industry but has also built a global community of over 6 million followers across social media.
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Frequently asked questions
Kayali perfumes are made by Mona Kattan, who founded the brand in 2018.
Kayali perfumes are inspired by the founder's Middle Eastern heritage and the art of layering scents, allowing people to express their true characters through fragrance.
Kayali translates to "my imagination" in Arabic.
