If two words will get any beauty editor excited like never before, it’s Le Labo. The brand’s iconic scent, Santal 33, is highly regarded as one of the best perfumes on the market. I’ll be the first to admit that it’s really, really good. It’s one of those in-the-know fragrances that fashion girls love, and I think of it as a staple in my own collection.
However, the only thing that annoys me about this scent is that it sometimes overshadows all of the other incredible perfumes from the brand. Trust me, Le Labo is not just a one-trick pony. Yes, Santal 33 is stunning, but as a fragrance-obsessed editor, I’ve been eager to share with you all of my other Le Labo favourites from the Brooklyn-based brand.
I still remember the first time that I walked into a Le Labo store. It felt like stepping into the mind of an expert perfumer, filled with sensational scent creations that I had yet to find anywhere else. I spritzed a few on my skin, and could still smell them that evening. Yes, these luxury fragrances are an investment, but I wouldn’t be doing this roundup if I didn’t believe they were truly worth the money. Below, I’ve rounded up the very best Le Labo perfumes bursting with cool-girl, New York energy that you won’t find anywhere else.
Le Labo scents are staples in my perfume collection.
The Best Le Labo Perfumes
1. Le Labo Thé Noir 29
Le Labo
Thé Noir 29 Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Bergamot, fig, bay leaves, cedar wood, vetiver, musk, black tea leaves
This is, hands down, my favourite Le Labo fragrance of all time. Can I let you in on an insider secret? It’s also one of Sienna Miller’s go-to scents. It’s deep, dark and sexy, with this beautifully rich, sweet undertone. It’s by far the most expensive-smelling Le Labo perfume I’ve tried, which is why I reserve it for special occasions. In fact, whenever I wear this to dinner or drinks, my friends always compliment me on it.
It opens with fresh notes of bergamot and bay leaves, before a heart of cedar wood and vetiver envelops the senses in a woody aroma. A base of black tea leaves adds an intriguing smokiness, whilst sweet fig remains constant throughout.
2. Le Labo Santal 33
Le Labo
Santal 33 Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Cardamon, iris, violet, leather, musk
I mean, we have to talk about Santal 33, don’t we? I’ll be honest, I didn’t want to like this scent, purely because so many people wear it. But after one spritz, I fell in love. It’s fresh, earthy and musky, with this undoubtedly cool, laidback appeal that reminds me of a hipster hotel lobby in New York. A base of leather and musk adds impressive depth, allowing it to linger on the skin like your favorite leather jacket. I think I’ve reached for this pretty much every day since adding it to my collection.
3. Le Labo Neroli 36
Le Labo
Neroli 36 Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Orange blossom, mandarin, aldehydes, tonka beans, musk, vanilla
If you like warm, floral fragrances, then this is the Le Labo scent for you. “My first impression of Neroli 36 was how utterly sophisticated it made me feel,” says Who What Wear US senior editor Anna LaPlaca (who is also a big fan of Le Labo perfumes). “This is the kind of soft and delicate floral fragrance I can imagine myself wearing as the ultimate put-together older version of myself, you know? It’s a lovely floral that’s clean, light and a bit sweet, but certainly not overpowering.”
4. Le Labo Thé Matcha 26
Le Labo
Thé Matcha 26 Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Matcha tea accords, fig, bitter orange, vetiver, cedarwood
Yes, you can now match your fragrance to your favourite drink. As comforting as a hot mug of matcha on a cold winter’s day, this scent feels clean, calm and cosy. Notes of matcha tea accord add a green, earthy element to the perfume, but it also creates this warm, somewhat milky aroma that is enhanced by woody notes of cedarwood.
5. Le Labo Another 13
Le Labo
Another 13 Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Ambroxan, jasmine, moss, ambrette seeds absolute
This fragrance was created in 2010 in collaboration with Jefferson Hack, editor-in-chief of AnOther Magazine, and it’s definitely one of the brand’s most talked-about scents.
“I may be biased because this is actually a scent I’ve been wearing for a few years now, but I will say it’s not for everyone,” says LaPlaca. “It’s the brainchild of Le Labo and AnOther mag, but unlike the brand’s city-exclusive scents, this one was adopted into its permanent line, making it widely available throughout the year. It’s one of those unisex fragrances that will surely earn you compliments if you can pull it off.”
6. Le Labo Rose 31
Le Labo
Rose 31 Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Centifolia rose, cumin, vetiver, cedarwood, musk, guaiac wood, olibanum, labdanum
Rose perfumes aren’t for everyone, but this rich, deep take on the scent is by far one of the best rose scents I’ve come across. It seems that LaPlaca agrees. “I was surprised to like Rose 31 so much,” she says. “It’s a departure from the overly sweet and girly perfumes of my teenage years. It’s the type of fragrance you want to keep sniffing every five seconds, it’s just that good.”
7. Le Labo Bergamote 22
Le Labo
Bergamote 22 Eau de Parfum
Key notes: Bergamot, amber, musk, grapefruit, vetiver, petitgrain, vanilla, orange blossom, cedar
Last but by no means least, the ultimate uplifting, fresh-smelling scent. Citrusy notes of bergamot and grapefruit mingle with warming vanilla and cedar to take you on an olfactory journey like never before. My friends tend to reach for this in the summer months, but in my opinion, it’s the perfect aroma to awaken the senses on a cold, grey morning.
Shop More Le Labo Scents
Le Labo
Eau de Parfum Exclusive Discovery Set
This discovery set is a great way to try out some of Le Labo’s most popular scents before investing in a full-sized bottle.
Le Labo
Santal 33 Shower Gel
If you like to layer your scents, I highly recommend starting with this luxury shower gel in the brand’s popular Santal 33 fragrance.
You can even scent your home to match your perfume with this ultra chic candle.
Le Labo
Thé Noir 29 Perfuming Shampoo
I’ll be purchasing this shampoo immediately now that I know it comes in my favourite Le Labo fragrance.
This lightweight, long-lasting deodorant is fragranced with notes of bergamot, lavender, violet and tonka bean.
Why Trust Us
At Who What Wear UK, we know that beauty isn’t one-size-fits-all. Our editors have tested thousands of products over the years—spanning skincare, makeup, hair and nails—and work closely with trusted experts including dermatologists, makeup artists and leading industry insiders to ensure every guide is well-researched, inclusive and relevant to you.
We focus on formulas that deliver, whether they’re affordable favourites or luxury investments. Our product selection is based on tangible results, ingredient know-how and what we’d truly recommend to a friend.
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