Collection: Le Labo

Sandalwood, leather and a number

Almost every Le Labo scent is named after its lead material and the number of ingredients, so the collection reads like a shopping list of notes. Santal 33 is the one everyone knows: sandalwood, cardamom and a leathery, slightly smoky accord that you will have smelled on strangers in any big city. Wearing a Le Labo decant for a week tells you if you want to join that crowd or step aside. Decant Sample carries 22 Le Labo references, nearly all unisex.

Picking by material

If you want something quieter than Santal 33, Another 13 is a sheer, ambery musk that hugs the skin. Thé Noir 29 pairs black tea with fig and hay for autumn. Rose 31 gives rose a spicy, cumin-tinged masculinity. Bergamote 22 is the summer pick, and Baie 19 smells like rain on juniper. Each Le Labo sample isolates one idea, which makes comparison unusually easy.

Which size for which purpose

Le Labo compositions are moderate in projection but persistent, so 3 ml is a comfortable test size, and 10 ml carries a scent through a season. A 20 ml decant is a practical middle ground for anyone who loves a Le Labo perfume but wants to rotate several scents. Vials are hand-filled from the original bottle, and standard shipping throughout Europe is €4.95, and free from €59.

Le Labo decants: frequently asked questions

Is Santal 33 worth testing if I already know how it smells on others?

Yes. Santal 33 is notorious for behaving differently from one skin to the next: creamy and warm on some, sharp and leathery on others. A 2 or 3 ml vial worn over a few days tells you which version you get before you commit.

Which Le Labo sample is best for warm weather?

Bergamote 22 for pure citrus freshness, Baie 19 for a green, rainy feel, and Another 13 if you prefer a clean musk that barely registers as perfume. Order all three in 2 ml and alternate them through a hot week.

How should I store my Le Labo vials?

Keep the vial upright, away from direct sunlight and heat, with the cap tightly closed. Stored this way, a decant keeps its character for many months. There is no need to refrigerate it; a drawer or a cupboard is ideal.