kai conversations with lifestyle influencer, catherine esrey

this week’s kai conversation features lifestyle influencer and long-time kai devotee, catherine esrey. a southern california native, catherine is currently spending the summer in new york city documenting all things life and style. her passion for mindfulness and fitness combined with her eye for fashion and design shine through in her daily vlogs (see catherine's tiktok). despite her commitment to sharing her life through a lens, catherine strives for balance. she embodies kai's breath*life*flow philosophy by embracing and enjoying the simple moments, staying mindful, and trusting the timing of her life.

catherine discovered kai through her mom at the age of 12 and has been a loyal devotee ever since. her favorite products include the kai signature room linen spray, skylight candle, body glow, and eau de parfum.  

enjoy this glimpse into catherine's beautiful world.

xo,

gaye

how did you first discover kai? 

i distinctly remember being 12 years old and sneaking into my mom’s closet to use her kai body glow, thinking it was perfume. i would spray it all over my body because i was obsessed with the shimmery glow it left on my skin. my mom eventually figured out what i was doing and when i turned 13, she gave me my very own kai body glow spray — and perfume! it was definitely a special moment for me and i felt so mature with my glass perfume bottle. needless to say, i’ve been a kai fan ever since.

how do you embody kai’s “breath*life*flow” lifestyle?

as someone who spends a lot of time on social media, it is easy for me to get wrapped up in all. between the ever-changing trends, overconsumption, comparison, and more, i’m trying to find a way to remain balanced and revert back to the basics.

i’ve always strived to live a balanced lifestyle and i like to enjoy the simple moments and even embrace the stressful ones. for instance, whenever i have a hectic week — personally or professionally — i will make an effort to incorporate a lot of “me time” or “self care” into my day to day to balance out the chaos.

that's one of the things i love most about kai as they seem to have mastered that balance. each product is extremely detailed and i can tell that there was a lot of thought put into its creation, yet each product exudes a sensation of simplicity that is so calming. i love that my kai perfume, for instance, comes in a beautiful glass bottle that doubles as a decorative piece on my vanity. the scent is reminiscent of freshly laundered linen, evoking a sense of cleanliness, and lasts all day, allowing me to find tranquility amidst the chaos.

what’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

pay attention to whom your energy increases and decreases around, because that is a hint from the universe telling you who you should embrace or stray from.

do you have a mantra you live by?

this is such a tough question! but, i always try to remind myself that “everything happens for a reason” and to trust the process. also, that “you can’t pour from an empty cup” and it’s okay to take care of yourself first before helping others.

what color nail polish are you wearing right now?

right now, i am embracing a nude nail. i’ve always loved playing with color depending on the season (and sometimes my mood) but recently i’ve been finding myself reaching for a light pink or a beige when at the nail salon. there’s something so stunning about simplicity.

who is your role model?

my mom!!

she is my greatest role model and inspiration. i am in constant awe of her strength, grace, and wisdom. she is a remarkable woman, mother, wife, sister, friend, and an incredibly hard worker. growing up, she taught me the value of hard work, resilience, and empathy. she’s always been by my side and she is my biggest supporter, pushing me to pursue my dreams and never give up. her unwavering love and support have shaped me into the person i am today, and i am forever grateful to have such an incredible woman in my life to look up to. our relationship is definitely unique but it’s special and i always say it’s my most cherished relationship. she’s everything i want to be and more.

what do you love most about where you live?

i am a huge homebody and i absolutely love being at home with my family, spending time outside in the sun and visiting all of my favorite local spots. being from california where it is (almost) always sunny, i thoroughly enjoy sitting and baking in the sun with a good book and a cool pool. i also love the active lifestyle and how you can always find something fun to do between the mountains, the beach and the city.

kai obsession?

i am obsessed with all of kai’s products but my favorite (and most used) is the linen spray! it has such a light and clean smell that can mask any odor and i’m known to spray it all over my apartment. whenever i have people over though, they immediately comment on how nice it smells when they walk through the door and i have to give credit to the linen spray.

i’m also convinced that it has calming powers because whenever i spray it on my bed sheets, i swear i sleep better and longer!

morning person or night owl?

definitely a morning person! there is something so peaceful about the morning and something so poetic about starting a new day with a blank slate and an open road. i always go to bed excited for my morning and my morning routine. i also have a hard stop at 9 pm a.k.a my bedtime and the time of day when my brain stops functioning. however, 9 am is when i truly thrive!

ideal way to relax/unwind?

my ideal way to relax is by taking an everything shower where i wash my hair, exfoliate my body, and shave. then, i lather myself in lotion to soothe and moisturize my freshly clean skin and put on my comfiest sweatset which has to be matching, of course! next, i’ll light a candle — kai of course — and then i’ll put on a face mask and turn on a comfort show.

i love rewatching shows because i know what to expect and i can multitask by scrolling through my phone. i’ll usually scroll through pinterest or instagram because they inspire me the most as i enjoy seeing what others are wearing, posting, and doing.