Meet Isola: Our Hawaiian Tropical Fragrance
It’s been 20 years since we launched Isola, Alora’s beloved island-inspired fragrance – a tropical blend of exotic gardenia and creamy tuberose finished with the perfect amount of fresh green fig.
This longtime best seller launched in 2003 just after my sister and co-founder, Annie, moved to Honolulu, Hawaii. She was surrounded by lush beauty growing in her own backyard, nestled in a valley up from Waikiki Beach. The flora and fauna of the islands, along with special Aloha traditions, influenced her creation of Isola.
What Does it Mean to Layer Scents?
I think this is where a tropical fragrance really comes together, and it's worth explaining because it's not just about picking a favorite note and calling it a day.
Isola starts with gardenia. It's rich and warm, almost intoxicating on its own. Then tuberose comes in right alongside it, just as creamy but with a touch more sweetness, so the two florals sit close together without one overpowering the other.
But florals this sophisticated need something to keep them from feeling too heavy, and that's where the fig comes in. It's green and a little crisp, and it cuts right through the sweetness.
To me, layering is choosing notes that need one another to feel complete.
These are the three tropical fragrances that stand out in Isola:
- Gardenia
- Tuberose
- Fig
Let's break down what each of these scents smells like.
What Does Gardenia Smell Like?
There are many fragrant flowers in Hawaii, but gardenia has always been my sister's favorite. It has a slight coconut-like sweetness to it, alongside a velvety floral scent.
One of my fondest memories of visiting is each morning when my sister's husband would pick fresh gardenia from their garden and place them next to our computers. The scent was heavenly.
He also made the most beautiful flower arrangements, so that gardenia aroma was always permeating their home.
What Does Tuberose Smell Like?
Tuberose is another exotic white floral that grows in Hawaii. It's often used in lei making because the scent is long-lasting.
The delicate tuberose flower looks like the shape and form of roses unfolding, hence the name. It smells rich and creamy like gardenia but with a slightly sweeter note.
What Does Fig Smell Like?
Fig is green and a little crisp, almost like the smell of fresh-cut grass. It's not sweet on its own, which is exactly why it works so well in Isola by balancing out the rich florals.
Fig adds a necessary freshness that keeps the fragrance from feeling too heavy or too sweet. Think of it as the note that lets the gardenia and tuberose breathe.
How to Give Your Home an Island Feel Any Time of Year
This is the whole idea behind Isola. I wanted a way to bring that Hawaiian tropical fragrance into people’s homes—a little escape even on a normal day.
A few of my favorite ways to keep that island feeling going in your home, no matter the season:
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Layer it into a room you actually linger in. I love Isola in a sunroom or a living room with a lot of natural light.
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Let the reeds do the work. Flip them every few days, or more often, especially in the colder months when you really want to feel transported somewhere warm.
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Keep a room spray nearby. Before guests come over, or just when I want a quick refresh, a spritz of Isola brings that same warmth back in seconds.
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Pair it with something tactile. A woven basket, a stack of travel books, anything that feels a little sun-soaked. Scent does a lot of the work, but the right little details around it make the feeling stick.
How long does an Isola reed diffuser last?
Our 8oz diffusers measure 14" tall and last 1-3 months. Our 16oz diffusers measure 17" tall and last 3-5 months. All diffusers include a set of reed sticks.
What room is best for this tropical Hawaiian scent?
I personally reach for it most in a living room or sunroom with good natural light, but it's soft enough that it works just as well in a bedroom if that's where you want a little island escape.
It's a rich floral, so it fills a room nicely, but the fig keeps it from feeling too heavy, which is what makes it easy to live with in a space you spend a lot of time in.
20 Years of Isola Love
It's been a delight seeing Isola become a 20-year best-seller. Our launch of the hand wash and room spray has brought Isola lovers even more scented joy.
I'm an Isola fan too, but even more than the beautiful fragrance, I love how the scent reminds me of the wonderful memories I made in Hawaii with my sister and our families. It's a perfect example of the evocative power of smell and how beautifully it brings back special memories.
Whether you first experienced Isola in Hawaii on a honeymoon or received it as a gift, I'd love to hear where you discovered this beloved fragrance.
Or, if reading this story inspires you to try Isola, I hope the hint of Hawaiian beauty transforms your space into an island oasis.
Shop the full Isola collection.
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