Kolada by Kajal: A Summer Memory That Stays With You

Written by Ally Santos

Some fragrances transport you instantly. Kajal Kolada is one of them. From the first spray, I’m somewhere warm; maybe rooftop in New York or a beach in Puerto Rico or maybe halfway across the world on vacation.

Images by Ally Santos

It’s tropical, yes, but not kitschy. Bright, creamy, confident, and undeniably elevated. Kajal Parfums has always walked the line between luxury and artistry, and Kolada proves once again that they know exactly what they’re doing.

Crafted by the Barcelona-based perfumer Toni Cabal, Kolada feels like a scent that knows how to hold attention. Cabal is known for bottling a mood. He gives us pineapple, coconut and bergamot up top, but never lets them get sugary or juvenile. The fruit is crisp, luminous. Then comes the softness: violet and lily of the valley, adding just the right floral lift. And when it settles? It’s all smooth amber, benzoin, and creamy coconut; like sun-warmed skin at golden hour.

There’s this moment; when I spray Kolada and step outside, and the sun catches my skin just right. I feel like the main character in a movie no one’s filming. I’m walking slower. I’m more aware of my breathing. I notice how the breeze plays with the hem of my shirt. I’m suddenly in love with the day for no reason at all. It’s this small act of choosing beauty, even on an ordinary afternoon.

Some days I wear it for errands and still find myself smiling at strangers like I’m glowing from the inside. Other days, I wear it to dinner and forget I’m even wearing perfume; until someone leans in and says, “Wait… what is that?” That’s what I love about Kolada. It’s not trying too hard. It just is. And in that space, it lets me be. Calm. Present. Just a little more golden than I was before.

Kajal as a brand has always struck a balance between sophistication and accessibility. From Joorie to Lamar, and now Kolada, they manage to create statement fragrances without veering into something loud or attention-seeking. Kolada is playful, but grown. It’s your vacation scent, your date scent, your feel-good scent; without ever announcing itself too loudly.

If you’re craving something that captures joy without sacrificing elegance, Kolada might just be your next signature. It’s the kind of fragrance that lingers not just in the air, but in memory.