Every Monoi Tiki Tahiti oil starts the same way: refined coconut oil and tiare flowers, made in Tahiti by Parfumerie Tiki since 1942. What changes from bottle to bottle is the scent. If you are trying to pick your first monoi, or a gift for someone else, this guide walks through each scent in plain words so you can choose with confidence.
Quick guide: which monoi scent should you choose?
- Want the classic smell of Tahiti? Choose Tiare.
- Like warm, sweet scents? Choose Vanille.
- Prefer little or no perfume? Choose Coco.
- Want a non-floral or unisex oil? Choose Santal.
- Want a bold floral you can wear like perfume? Choose Pitate or Ylang Ylang.
- Want a soft, delicate floral? Choose Tipanie.
- Want a richer oil for dry spots? Choose Tamanu.
The monoi scents, one by one
Tiare (Tahitian gardenia): the original
This is the monoi that started it all. Hand-picked tiare blossoms are soaked in refined coconut oil, giving a creamy white floral over a soft coconut base. It smells like a fresh Tahitian lei, and it carries the Monoi de Tahiti Appellation d'Origine. If you have never tried monoi, start here. Shop Tiare monoi oil.
Vanille (vanilla): warm and cozy
One of the most-loved scents since the 1980s. Vanille adds a soft vanilla bean note to the original tiare monoi. It reads warm and sweet, cozy rather than sugary, with a light floral underneath. A good pick for people who usually wear vanilla or gourmand scents. Shop Vanille monoi oil.
Coco (coconut): monoi without the perfume
Coco is monoi at its simplest: cosmetic-grade coconut oil with only a hint of tiare from the dried flower in the bottle. The scent is earthy, nutty and slightly musky, more like fresh copra than coconut dessert. It is unisex and a good choice if you are sensitive to strong fragrance. Shop Coco monoi oil.
Santal (sandalwood): woody and non-floral
Santal is one of only two Monoi Tiki Tahiti scents not taken from a flower. Warm, dry sandalwood sits on a smooth coconut finish. It is a favorite with men and with anyone who finds florals too sweet. Shop Santal monoi oil.
Pitate (jasmine): the boldest
Pitate is Tahitian jasmine, the flower Hawaii knows as pikake. It is the strongest scent in the line: intense, sweet jasmine on a creamy coconut base, rich enough to wear in place of perfume. Shop Pitate monoi oil.
Ylang Ylang: rich and exotic
Ylang ylang, the "perfume tree" flower, joined the line in 1990. It is heavy, sweet and exotic, blended into tiare monoi for an oil that feels like a fragrance. Choose it if you love full, rich florals. Shop Ylang Ylang monoi oil.
Tipanie (plumeria): soft and delicate
Tipanie is plumeria, also called frangipani, the lei flower seen across Polynesia. It is the most subtle floral in the range: soft and velvety, yet long-lasting. A good everyday choice if Pitate or Ylang Ylang sound like too much. Shop Tipanie monoi oil.
Tamanu: richer, for dry spots
Tamanu blends cold-pressed tamanu oil (kamani in Hawaii) into tiare monoi, about 90% monoi and 10% tamanu. The scent is a light tiare floral with tamanu's warm, nutty, earthy note. Many people keep it for elbows, knees, heels and cuticles. Patch-test on a small area first. Shop Tamanu monoi oil.
Scent strength at a glance
Coco has the lightest scent in the range, and Tipanie is the most subtle of the florals. Pitate is the boldest, with Ylang Ylang close behind. Tiare, Vanille and Santal sit in the middle. Scent is personal, so treat this as a starting point.
Match your oil with a monoi soap
Several scents also come as French-milled monoi soaps, so you can layer the same fragrance from shower to skin: Tiare, Vanille, Pitate, Santal, Ylang Ylang and Tiare Tamanu. See them all in the monoi soap collection.
Can't decide? Try two
One easy approach is to keep one everyday scent and one for evenings or gifts, for example Tiare plus Vanille, or Coco plus Santal for someone who prefers non-floral oils. Any two 4 oz oils also reach our free U.S. shipping threshold of $30. Browse every scent in the Monoi Oil collection.
All Monoi Tiki Tahiti products on this site are imported directly from Parfumerie Tiki by Hawaiian Resources Co. of Honolulu, the official U.S. importer, and ship from Hawaii.
One reminder: monoi is a beauty oil, not a sunscreen. If you are spending time in the sun, use a sunscreen as directed on its label.
Monoi scent FAQ
Which monoi scent should I try first?
Tiare is the original and signature scent of Tahiti, and Vanille has been one of the most-loved scents since the 1980s. If you are unsure, either is a safe first choice.
Which monoi oil has the least fragrance?
Coco. It is coconut oil with only a hint of tiare from the dried flower in the bottle, so it has the lightest scent in the range.
Is there a monoi oil for men?
Any scent can be worn by anyone, but Santal (sandalwood) and Coco are the non-floral, unisex choices in the range.
Do all monoi scents feel the same on skin?
Yes, apart from Tamanu. Every scent shares the same coconut and tiare monoi base, so they feel the same; only the fragrance changes. Tamanu adds about 10% tamanu oil for a richer feel.
Why is my monoi oil solid?
Monoi is mostly coconut oil, which turns solid below 68°F (20°C). That is normal. Stand the bottle in warm water for a few minutes to melt it. Read more about why monoi hardens.
Keep reading: What is monoi oil? · How to use monoi oil on skin · How to use monoi oil for hair · Monoi oil vs coconut oil · Tamanu monoi oil: what it is and how to use it