Jasmine is one of the most loved flowers in perfume, and in the islands it has its own names: pikake in Hawaii and pitate in Tahiti. Monoi Tiki Tahiti Pitate is a jasmine body oil made with Tahitian monoi and coconut, and it is the boldest scent in the line. Here is how it smells, how to wear it, and what to pair it with.
Pitate, pikake, jasmine: one flower, three names
Pitate is the Tahitian name for jasmine. In Hawaii the same flower is called pikake, the small white blossom strung into fragrant leis. Pitate monoi was created in the 1970s and has been part of the Monoi Tiki Tahiti line ever since.
If you have worn a pikake lei in Honolulu, you already know the scent family of Pitate monoi.
What does Pitate jasmine monoi oil smell like?
Intense and sweet. Pitate is a rich jasmine (pikake) floral over a creamy coconut base. It is the strongest scent in the Monoi Tiki Tahiti range, rich enough that many people wear it in place of perfume. A little goes a long way.
Like every Monoi Tiki Tahiti oil, it starts as Monoi Tiare Tahiti, tiare blossoms (the Tahitian gardenia) steeped in refined coconut oil, and each bottle still holds a dried tiare flower. Pitate adds a jasmine fragrance on top. Curious about the base flower? Read what tiare smells like.
Who will love Pitate?
- Anyone who loves the smell of a pikake lei or jasmine perfume.
- People who want a body oil that doubles as their fragrance.
- Gift shoppers looking for a bold, unmistakably island scent.
Want another full, rich floral? Try Ylang Ylang. Want something softer? Try Tipanie (plumeria) or the original Tiare. Want something warmer? Try Vanille. Compare all of them in our monoi oil scent guide.
How to use a jasmine body oil
After the shower
Pat skin until it is just damp, then smooth a few drops of Pitate monoi oil over arms, legs and shoulders. Damp skin helps the oil spread thinly, and with a scent this strong you need only a little. More tips in how to use monoi oil on skin.
As a jasmine perfume
Dab a small amount on pulse points: wrists, behind the ears and at the collarbone. Start with less than you think; Pitate is bold.
In your hair
Rub one or two drops between your palms and smooth over dry ends, or work more into lengths as a pre-shampoo mask for 15 to 30 minutes, then shampoo. See how to use monoi oil for hair.
For massage and after a day outdoors
Warm a little in your hands first and massage in. It is also a nice way to moisturize dry skin after a day outdoors.
Layering and pairing ideas
- Pitate soap + Pitate oil: lather the Pitate monoi soap in the shower, then smooth the oil on damp skin for the same jasmine scent from head to toe. See all six bars in our monoi soap guide.
- Pitate + Tiare: jasmine and gardenia, two classic white flowers. Wear Tiare by day and Pitate in the evening.
- Pitate + Tipanie: one bold, one delicate. Read about plumeria in our plumeria body oil guide.
- Pitate + Vanille: a drop of each for a warmer, creamier jasmine.
Any two 4 oz oils reach our free U.S. shipping line of $30. For more combinations, see the Tahitian holiday gift guide.
Good to know
- It may be solid when it arrives. Monoi is mostly coconut oil, which turns solid below 68°F (20°C). Stand the bottle in warm water for a few minutes to melt it.
- Patch-test first if you are trying a new fragrance, and stop using it if you notice irritation.
- Not a sunscreen. Monoi is a beauty oil; use sunscreen as directed on its label when you are out in the sun.
Jasmine monoi FAQ
Is Pitate the same as pikake and jasmine?
Yes. Pitate is the Tahitian name for the jasmine flower called pikake in Hawaii.
Is it a jasmine essential oil?
No. Pitate is a ready-to-use body oil: Tahitian monoi (tiare flowers steeped in coconut oil) with a jasmine fragrance. Ingredients: coconut oil, tiare flower, fragrance and vitamin E (tocopherol). You can apply it straight to skin and hair; there is nothing to dilute.
Which Monoi Tiki Tahiti scent is the strongest?
Pitate is the boldest, with Ylang Ylang close behind. If you want the lightest, choose Coco; for a soft floral, Tipanie.
Where is it made, and where does it ship from?
In Papeete, Tahiti, by Parfumerie Tiki, which has made monoi since 1942. Hawaiian Resources Co. of Honolulu is the official U.S. importer and ships every order from Hawaii. New to monoi? Start with what is monoi oil.
Keep reading: Monoi oil scent guide · Plumeria (frangipani) body oil: Tipanie monoi · What does tiare smell like? · Tahitian vanilla body oil: how to wear it · Monoi soap: the 6 scents and how to use them · Tahitian gift guide: monoi oil gifts under $35 · Ylang ylang body oil: monoi Ylang Ylang · Sandalwood body oil: monoi Santal · Tahitian coconut body oil: monoi Coco