this week’s kai conversation features rachel anise—known to many as the beauty professor—a beauty expert, full-time professor of communication studies, and devoted mom to her six-year-old. based in los angeles, rachel has spent over a decade building a trusted platform rooted in honest, candid, and comprehensive reviews. rachel first discovered kai while wandering the iconic aisles of fred segal, where a single spritz of our signature scent instantly became a part of her life. today, she keeps kai woven into her daily rituals, especially body glow. grounded by family, guided by intention, and fueled by passion, rachel embodies our mantra of breath, life, flow in the most natural way.
xo, kai
how did you first discover kai?
i remember first discovering kai while shopping at fred segal. the apothia was such a magical wonderland and i loved pouring over the shelves for beauty gems you couldn’t find elsewhere. the moment i sprayed kai on my wrist, i knew it was coming home with me!
what’s your favorite kai product and why?
i love the kai body glow; it hydrates on contact while feeling magnificently lightweight. it delivers a subtle version of the iconic kai fragrance that always lifts my mood and leaves my skin so radiant.
go-to lipstick color?
i reach for giorgio armani lip power 503 multiple times a week… may it never be discontinued. i also love my le metier de beaute gloss supreme in beauty professor, which is a luminous and universally flattering rosy nude shade i developed with the brand.
what color nail polish are you wearing right now?
opi samoan sand on my toes in perpetuity and manucurist active smooth + hortencia on my fingernails for a milky pink nude that matches everything.
who is your role model?
without question, my role model is my beautiful mom, laura. she is an incredible balance of strength and vulnerability, wise beyond measure, and loves her family fiercely. i aim to embrace life and motherhood (my daughter joey elle is my heart) in the exact same way.
how would you describe your personal style?
my style is classic and timeless with 1960s and 1970s leanings; i try to invest in pieces that i will wear for years (if not decades) and find myself gravitating towards silk blouses (lots of l’agence), cotton button downs (frank and eileen forever), blazers (love the frankie shop), mini skirts, straight-leg denim (r13 makes the best!) and almond-toe manolos.
what do you love most about where you live? any secret spots you love to go to?
my neighborhood is brimming with midcentury modern homes. i love that my parents live two blocks away and my brother, sister-in-law, and nephew are a mile away. we are a super close family, both relationally and via proximity.
ultimate getaway?
i love warm and sunny places so the faena in south beach miami and the kahala in hawaii are always at the top of my list.
morning person or night owl?
i used to be a night owl but recently have actively worked to become a morning person… early am pilates classes have helped change my time trajectory!
currently craving?
french butter. always.
what’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done?
starting my haircare brand, académie hair, is by far the most adventurous thing i’ve done as of late. from product development to launch, this entire endeavor has been self-funded and — after trying thousands of formulas as a beauty writer of 14 years — i created the product i always wished existed. sea glass is a daily hair elixir that works on all hair types to detangle without weighdown while adding immense silkiness, softness, and manageability. it’s truly a dream product, and with other products in the pipeline, this is only the beginning for académie hair.
