Founded in 2006 by Edouard Roschi and Fabrice Penot, Le Labo quickly established itself as a trailblazing force in the niche perfumery industry. Renowned for its minimalist approach, focus on high-quality ingredients, and dedication to personalised experiences, Le Labo has garnered a devoted global following.
With a philosophy rooted in craftsmanship, every Le Labo fragrance is meticulously crafted by expert perfumers, bringing to life evocative scents that resonate with the soul. This ultimate guide serves as a gateway into the diverse and alluring universe of Le Labo fragrances, exploring their essence, notes, and the emotions they evoke.
From the iconic Santal 33, celebrated for its modern urban allure, to the exquisite Rose 31, a romantic ode to the queen of flowers, each fragrance in the collection tells a unique and captivating story. In this comprehensive guide, I delve into the key characteristics and captivating accords that define each LE Labo fragrance, enabling you to find the perfect olfactory expression that resonates with your personality and preferences.
Table of Contents
- Le Labo Santal 33
- Le Labo Thé Matcha 26
- Le Labo Another 13
- Le Labo Thé Noir 29
- Le Labo Rose 31
- Le Labo Bergamote 22
- Le Labo Baie 19
- Le Labo Lys 41
- Le Labo Tonka 25
- Le Labo Neroli 36
- Le Labo Ylang 49
- Le Labo Fleur d’Oranger 27
- Le Labo Patchouli 24
- Le Labo Labdanum 18
- Le Labo Jasmin 17
- Le Labo Vetiver 46
- Le Labo Ambrette 9
- Le Labo Iris 39
- Le Labo Oud 27
In the UK Le Labo fragrances can be found at Cult Beauty and John Lewis. In the US they can be found at Nordstrom, with some good deals available at Walmart.
Le Labo Santal 33
Le Labo Santal 33 is the brand’s most famous and I believe best-selling fragrance. In recent years sandalwood has become a really popular scent due to its creamy and almost vanilla-like qualities.
It’s a relatively complex scent with additional notes of cardamom, violet, and papyrus which create a very unique, unisex fragrance which I think could be worn anywhere.
Le Labo Thé Matcha 26
Matcha is a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves. It is known for its vibrant green color and distinctive aroma, which is fresh, vegetal, and slightly earthy.
Le Labo Thé Matcha 26 highlights the natural freshness and earthiness of green tea. Bergamot creates a fresh top note while vanilla and musk add depth in the base.
The longevity of Le Labo Thé Matcha 26 is medium, making it ideal for warmer weather.
Le Labo Another 13
Le Labo Another 13 is a bit of a mysterious scent! While the brand does not disclose the full list of ingredients in Another 13, it is believed to be a blend of 13 synthetic and natural ingredients, with the key note being ambroxan, a synthetic compound that is often used in perfumery to create an ambergris-like aroma. This unisex scent tends to appeal to those looking for a warm fragrance which is very unique and unusual.
Le Labo Thé Noir 29
Thé Noir 29 is named after its key ingredient, which is black tea. Black tea is a well-known and beloved beverage with a distinct, rich, and slightly smoky aroma. In perfumery, black tea provides a unique and sophisticated note that adds depth and complexity to fragrance compositions. In Le Labo Thé Noir 29, the tea scent has a slightly spicy and smoky twist while highlighting the refined and aromatic characteristics of black tea with additional notes of fig and wood.
Le Labo Rose 31
Rose 31 is a classic rose scent which highlights the natural beauty of the rose while incorporating other complementary notes to enhance its depth and character, such as spicy cumin, woody cedar, and warm amber. In my view, Le Labo Rose 31 is one of the strongest rose perfumes on the market at the moment with excellent sillage. I have a friend who wears this and it absolutely fills which ever room she is in.
Le Labo Bergamote 22
Bergamot is a citrus fruit that is primarily grown in southern Italy and is known for its fresh, zesty, and slightly floral aroma. The fragrance is intended to be unisex, appealing to both men and women who appreciate the invigorating and citrusy nature of bergamot-based scents. It exudes a sense of energy and vitality, making it suitable for various occasions and seasons.
If you’re looking for a bergamot fragrance with lasting power then Le Labo Bergamote 22 is for you.
Le Labo Baie 19
Baie 19 is named after its key ingredient, which is the bay leaf. Bay leaf is an aromatic leaf commonly used in cooking, but in perfumery, it offers a unique and intriguing green, spicy, and slightly woody scent. It’s not as common in fragrance compositions as some other notes, making Le Labo Baie 19 stand out as an innovative creation. The scent highlights the green and spicy aspects of the bay leaf, an also includes other supporting notes to enhance its depth and character, such as patchouli, vetiver, and incense. Personally, I think Baie 19 is the most unique fragrance in the Le Labo range.
Le Labo Lys 41
Le Labo Lys 41 is all about the lily flower. The fragrance is intended to be unisex, appealing to individuals who appreciate the fresh and intoxicating nature of lily-based scents. It exudes a sense of grace and allure, making it suitable for various occasions and seasons. Lys 41 is a modern floral fragrance which has good lasting power. The scent highlights the natural elegance and sweetness of the lily flower, while still keeping the fragrance unisex.
Le Labo Tonka 25
Tonka bean is a seed from the fruit of the Dipteryx odorata tree and is prized in perfumery for its warm, sweet, and comforting aroma. It has notes of vanilla, almond, and caramel, making it a popular and versatile note in fragrance compositions. As a result Le Labo Tonka 25 is a sophisticated and luxurious fragrance with a gourmand character. The scent highlights the warmth and sweetness of the tonka bean, with a slightly spicy undertone which I think makes this a great autumn and winter scent.
Le Labo Neroli 36
Neroli 36 is named after its key ingredient, which is neroli. Neroli is an essential oil extracted from the blossoms of the bitter orange tree. It is known for its sweet, floral, and citrusy aroma, making it a popular and beloved note in perfumery. Neroli 36 is a sophisticated and elegant fragrance with a bright and uplifting character. The fresh neroli scent is complimented by notes which enhance its depth and complexity; including musk, rosemary, and mandarin orange. These additional elements add complexity and a touch of greenness to the composition.
Le Labo Ylang 49
Ylang-ylang is a tropical flower native to Southeast Asia and is prized in perfumery for its rich, exotic, and floral aroma. It has a sweet, creamy, and slightly spicy character, making it a beloved ingredient in various fragrances.
Le Labo’s approach to creating scents often involves a minimalist and high-quality ingredient list, allowing the main note to be the focal point of the composition. Ylang 49 is designed to showcase the beauty and allure of ylang-ylang.
Le Labo Fleur d’Oranger 27
Fleur d’Oranger 27 is designed to be a sophisticated and elegant fragrance that captures the true essence of the orange blossom flower. The scent may also include supporting notes to enhance the orange blossom’s natural beauty, such as petitgrain (extracted from the leaves and twigs of the bitter orange tree) and other subtle floral or citrus accents. The fragrance is intended to be unisex, appealing to individuals who appreciate the refreshing and uplifting nature of orange blossom scents. It exudes a sense of positivity and charm, making it suitable for various occasions and seasons.
Le Labo Patchouli 24
Patchouli 24 is designed to be a sophisticated and modern interpretation of patchouli, moving away from its traditional association with bohemian or hippie scents. This unisex fragrance balances the earthiness of patchouli with smoky and leathery accords. The combination creates a captivating and intense scent that is both bold and refined. The smoky aspect is achieved by using birch tar, which adds a dark and woody nuance to the composition.
Le Labo Labdanum 18
Labdanum is the base note in most Chypre fragrances; it’s a resin obtained from various species of rockrose plants and has been used in perfumery for centuries. It is known for its warm, amber, and slightly sweet aroma with hints of leather and tobacco.
In addition to the depth from the labdanum fragrance note, there is added depth and complexity in Le Labo Labdanum 18 through the addition of spices, woods, and balsamic accords.
Le Labo Jasmin 17
Le Labo Jasmin 17 is a sophisticated and elegant fragrance that captures the true essence of jasmine. The scent is typically a blend of jasmine absolute, other floral notes, and complementary accords. The goal is to create a well-rounded and balanced composition that showcases jasmine’s beauty while adding depth and complexity. Jasmin 17 is designed to be unisex, which is quite unusual for a jasmine perfume; the fragrance includes subtle woody and musky undertones which create a soft and sensual base that definitely helps create a gender neutral feeling.
Le Labo Vetiver 46
The opening of Vetiver 46 is green and fresh, with hints of citrus and spices that add brightness and energy to the composition. As the fragrance settles on the skin, the vetiver note takes center stage, revealing its characteristic smoky and earthy facets. It is balanced with subtle floral undertones and a touch of sweetness, creating a harmonious and well-rounded experience. Vetiver 46 exudes a sense of confidence and maturity, making it suitable for formal occasions or when you want to leave a lasting impression. The longevity and sillage of the fragrance are generally excellent, ensuring that you will enjoy its presence throughout the day.
Le Labo Ambrette 9
Le Labo Ambrette 9, as the name suggests, is centered around ambrette seed and aims to showcase its unique olfactory profile. Ambrette is a natural plant-based musk obtained from the seeds of the hibiscus plant, and it has been used in perfumery for its musky, slightly sweet, and sensual aroma. I recommend Le Labo Ambrette 9 for those looking for a comforting fragrance which provides a clean and cosy feeling; I find it very ‘homely’.
Le Labo Iris 39
Le Labo Iris 39 is a sophisticated and elegant scent, with a focus on the iris flower’s unique and powdery characteristics. In this fragrance, the iris note has a delicate and velvety aroma which is allowed to shine without the complexities of other dominant notes. The result is a refined and timeless fragrance that exudes a sense of understated luxury.
Le Labo Oud 27
Oud 27 is a woody and oriental scent, with a strong and dominant oud note, complemented by undertones of incense, spices, and precious woods. It has a warm, smoky, and slightly animalic quality that gives it depth and character. Le Labo Oud 27 is well known for its rich and complex scent profile that is definitely centred around oud.
