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12 best Le Labo perfumes of 2024, tried and tested
Spoiler: Santal 33 *is* worth it!
If you're even remotely into fragrance, then you've probably heard of Le Labo or smelled one of their trendy perfumes on someone before. The first time I ever smelled a Le Labo perfume (hi, the famous woodsy scent called Santal 33 that's on every "best perfumes" list), it was love at first sniff. But let me tell you: Santal 33 is only one of many phenomenal perfumes on Le Labo's roster. The brand has a tonne of unique scents, including gourmand vanilla perfumes, earthy fragrances, and floral scents that are all worth trying, IMO.
However, Le Labo's perfumes are expensive. This is exactly why we did the very hard work of smelling every single one, testing it on our skin, and wearing it for days on end to compile a ranking of the 12 best Le Labo perfumes that are worth the price tag. So, regardless of your scent profile of choice (fruity, floral, sweet, woodsy, etc.), you'll find a Le Labo perfume that not only smells good but lasts all day and actually has a decent sillage. Check out a few of our faves below:
Best Le Labo perfumes
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Without further ado, keep scrolling for my definitive ranking of the 10 best Le Labo perfumes. Buying perfume online has legit never been easier, bb.
Best Le Labo perfumes
Le Labo Another 13 - Eau de Parfum
This perfume makes me feel like the best-smelling person on earth. It's truly the Sofia Richie Grainge or "quiet luxury" of perfumes because it smells rich but isn't dripping with gold or throwing logos in your face.
The notes (see: pear, jasmine, ambrette) aren't necessarily distinguishable; they just blend together and evoke a very clean and simple yet warm and musky scent. It actually has iso e super, which is what gives it that salty, almost-sweaty, skin-like quality that makes it so subtle.
But don't get it twisted: The performance and projection of this fragrance is shockingly incredible. I've been stopped on the street many times asking what I'm wearing when I've spritzed this on my neck or clothes.
Key notes: Pear, jasmine, iso e super, ambrette
My rating: 5/5
Le Labo Santal 33 - Eau de Parfum
You can't round up the best perfumes without a mention of Le Labo's most famous fragrance, Santal 33. At this point, it's the quintessential woodsy scent that's been duped time and time again, but the original will forever be one of my favourites.
Yes, it's chock-full of sandalwood and cedar for that fresh chopped wood scent (some even say it smells like a just-sharpened pencil), but it's also blended with warm amber and spicy cardamom that helps it smell a bit more perfume-y than legit wood to me.
Some might find Santal 33 "basic" or over-worn. And yes, sure, I probably smell at least one person wearing this every single day in the city. But (!) there's a reason people are obsessed with the scent: Because it smells damn good.
Key notes: Sandalwood, cedar, leather, cardamom, amber, iris
My rating: 5/5
Is there a fragrance note sexier than vetiver? We think not. This combines said sexiness with a comforting blend of spicy pepper, smokey incense and dark cedar to create a musky, woody perfume that's both addictive and comforting from the first sniff. Think: lazy sex, in bottle form.
The stronger notes mean it sticks around all day too (bonus) and has become my go-to on cold rainy days – it's like being wrapped up in a cosy wool jumper.
Key notes: Pepper, gaïac, labdanum, and cedar
My rating: 5/5
Amber has become a note I am immediately drawn to for its depth and warmth, and this bottle is overflowing with it. This should be your pick if you love a skin scent but want a bit more oomph.
It's soft, musky and vintage-esque (it makes me think of what an old-fashioned apothecary might smell like), yet still feels super feminine and wearable. It's unlike any other perfume in my gigantic collection, so if you're looking for something unique, I have yet to come across a dupe for this that does it justice.
Key notes: Amber, civet, castoreum
My rating: 5/5
Le Labo Lavande 32 - Eau De Parfum
I'm all about a full-on aromatherapy moment with my perfume. Like, lemme spritz on some zen, okay?! Lavande 31 is a scent I'll definitely be keeping by my bedside to wear to sleep because it just smells like a chic, expensive spa.
The lavender note is totally front and centre, but it's balanced by bright citrus and warm and rich amber and tonka. It's super smooth and blended to perfection, which is exactly what makes it perfect for bedtime. I won't lie awake picking apart the fragrance; it simply smells fresh and light.
Key notes: Lavender, neroli, bergamot, musk, tonka, amber
My rating: 4/5
Le Labo Thé Noir 29 - Eau De Parfum
I go feral for fig notes in a perfume, so I'm not shocked that this spicy, black-tea fragrance is one of my top favourites from Le Labo. It's fresh and crisp, thanks to the bergamot and fig, but has a smooth, warm finish from musk and cedar.
And ooooh, the tobacco note gives it a deep, smokier finish. I wear this when I wanna be wrapped up in a cosy cashmere blanket.
Key notes: Fig, bergamot, cedar, vetiver, musk, tobacco
My rating: 4/5
Le Labo Thé Matcha 26 - Eau de Parfum
Everyone loved the fig/tea vibes of Thé Noir so much that Le Labo developed Thé Matcha, a fig/matcha fragrance. But to me, it's as if every single Le Labo perfume got together and had a baby. It's earthy and woody, yet green and citrus, but also warm and cosy. It's a gourmand, but not in a sickly sweet way. Instead, it veers more toasted and creamy.
To me, it's a skin scent, meaning it sits really close to your skin and just mimics your body's natural chemistry. So if you want something with major sillage, this prob won't be your fave. But I love catching little whiffs of myself throughout the day when I'm wearing this.
Key notes: Fig, matcha tea, cedar, vetiver, bitter orange
My rating: 4/5
Le Labo Neroli 36 - Eau de Parfum
If '1989' (Taylor's Version, ofc) was a perfume, it would be Neroli 36. It's wearing a sweater and denim shorts to the beach to sit in the sand and drink canned wine and eat cheese and crackers!
The aldehyde note gives it a fresh-linens vibe, yet all of the bright citrus from orange blossom and mandarin orange. If typical coconut-y, sunscreen-esque summer scents feel a bit too forced for you, def smell this one, which has all of the beachy white florals, but instead pairs it with musk for some creaminess.
Key notes: Orange blossom, aldehydes, mandarin orange, jasmine, vanilla, tonka bean
My rating: 4/5
Le Labo Rose 31 - Eau de Parfum
Listen, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not super into rose perfumes. They tend to smell powdery and mature IMO. That said, I'll always make an exception for Rose 31 because it's so light and not at all cloying or heavy.
It's so traditionally feminine and elegant, to the point that I could see myself wearing it on my wedding day (a decision more daunting than the person I'm marrying, TBH). Legit the only downside to the airy, lightweight quality of Rose 31 is that it only lasts a few hours on me—womp—so I always carry a lil 15ml travel size to re-apply throughout the day.
Key notes: Rose absolute, cumin, vetiver, musks, cedar, amber, guaiac wood
My rating: 3/5
Le Labo Lys 41 - Eau de Parfum
If you like a strong, heavy floral that smells like it's practically blooming as you wear it, sniff Lys 41. It's filled with classic floral notes (jasmine, tuberose, and lily), but is grounded by musk and vanilla so it has a very mature, elegant vibe.
It's a bit too heady for my tastes when worn on its own, so I prefer punching up the sweet notes by pairing it with a strong vanilla perfume like Kayali Vanilla 28 (this is actually a v common layering perfume with Lys 41, FYI!) to make it a bit more grounded and smooth. But I won't deny, she's a beast—of all the Le Labo perfumes I've tried, this is definitely the most long-lasting.
Key notes: Lily, tuberose, jasmine, musk, vanilla
My rating: 2.5/5, but 4/5 mixed with vanilla
Le Labo Patchouli 24 - Eau de Parfum
Patchouli can be very overpowering in perfumes, but when it's done right, it can make a scent feel earthy, warm, and deep. And that's the exact vibe of Patchouli 24 from Le Labo. To me, this smells quintessentially like a campfire.
I can't necessarily pick out the patchouli note, but it overall just smells like woods, smoke, leather, and rain—basically, my dream. It's a bit too strong for me to wear all the time, but I've been known to spritz it on the men around me from time to time when I want them to smell like a sexy lumberjack.
Key notes: Leather, patchouli, birch, tar, vanilla
My rating: 3/5 on me, but 5/5 on my date
Le Labo Bergamote 22 - Eau de Parfum
Bergamote 22 smells like if you mixed a designer perfume with one of those all-natural cleaning sprays... but like, in the best way? It smells like my most productive Sunday: Clean kitchen, fresh sheets, podcast going in the background.
The citrus notes are a bit more medicinal and sharp than a usual bright, bursting fruity note, which gives it that cleaning-supplies vibe that some might find a bit strong. But I actually love it—the vetiver addition makes it a bit spicier and smoother.
Key notes: Bergamot, vetiver, grapefruit, orange blossom, vanilla, amber
My rating: 3/5
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
Charlotte Bitmead (she/her) is the Senior Beauty Writer at Cosmopolitan UK. She has over six years experience writing about beauty and has previously written for ELLE and The Sunday Times Style, covering everything from politics to sustainability to inclusivity within the beauty industry. When she’s not writing in-depth features, testing out the newest skincare fad or trying to decide what nail art to get, you can find her overspending in bookshops or shouting at Arsenal matches. Find her on LinkedIn
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