I'll be the first to admit that there's nothing quite like the excitement of hunting down your next signature scent in a beauty hall. Being able to smell multiple fragrances in one go and call upon the help of beauty experts as you do so really is one of the best ways to shop for perfume.
With that said, it does have its downsides... Firstly, shopping for fragrance can be an overwhelming experience—for both you and your olfactory system. It can be easy to confuse multiple scents together when you're clutching a handful of testing papers, and the pressure to purchase might push you into a decision you're not wholly set on.
What's more, it's incredibly important to actually wear a scent before you commit to buying it. Fragrances often change throughout the day, sometimes fading, sometimes intensifying, and sometimes even melding into a scent completely different to the one you first experienced.
For this reason, I'm a huge believer in using discovery sets to sample and explore fragrances instead. In fact, I've found some of my own personal favourite and signature scents that way. Most recently, thanks to a few weeks testing Le Labo's perfume discovery set, I've fallen in love with Another 13—and haven't stopped wearing it since.
Founded in New York in 2006, Le Labo has fast become a favourite amongst fragrance obsessives and beauty industry insiders. The brand's approach to perfumery is to create scents that both surprise and comfort the wearer. This is undoubtedly the key to the brand's quick success—even the scents that draw upon classic fragrance notes like rose and lavender manage to do so in a fresh, modern, and unconventional way.
If, like me, you've heard great things about Le Labo perfumes but are not quite sure which one will be your favourite, the Le Labo perfume discovery set is a great place to start...
I enjoyed mix and matching between the lighter fresher perfumes like Thé Matcha 26 and Lavande 31, and the warmer, cosier ones like Santal 33 and Thé Noir 29. However, Another 13 was the biggest hit for me.
It's a skin scent, which means it melds with and enhances your natural fragrance. Skin scents aren't particularly loud (many wearers can't even smell them on themselves), but they're really sensual and compelling, so they always attract compliments. I love skin scents anyway, but what really impressed me about this one was that it's a little more complex and interesting, thanks to the addition of complementary notes of ambrette and moss, and the sweet addition of pear and apple.
The Le Labo Discovery Set:
The set itself features six generously-sized samples of the brand's most-loved perfumes—Another 13, Lavande 31, Rose 31, Santal 33, Thé Matcha 26, and Thé Noir 29. It's a veritable treasure trove of scents, thoughtfully curated to cover a variety of different notes and fragrance types.
1. Another 13
Notes: Pear, citrus, apple, ambrette, moss, jasmine, Iso E Super.
This classic skin scent perfume smells like you, but better. It's 100% guaranteed to bring in compliments.
Trust me, Another 13 is such an addictive scent, you'll want the entire bodycare range, too. This shower gel is surprisingly potent, so the scent will linger on your skin all day long.
2. Lavande
Not your typical lavender-based fragrance, this is a bright, fresh scent on first spritz, but dries down into something softer and muskier.
Notes: Neroli, bergamot, lavender, musk, amber, tonka.
3. Rose 31
This is a really modern and unique take on rose—warm, woody, and spicy.
Notes: Rose, cumin, vetiver, cedar, musk, guaiac wood, oud, olibanum, labdanum.
The perfect gift for a Rose 31 wearer—because nothing says chic more than a bar of luxury rose-scented soap.
4. Santal 33
It's easy to see why this is Le Labo's best seller. The warm and palatable blend of soft, woody notes is comforting and sensual. You really can't go wrong with this crowdpleaser.
Notes: Violet, cardamom, iris, papyrus, ambrox, cedarwood, leather, sandalwood.
Not only does this shampoo leave hair smelling amazing, it also boosts shine and softness.
5. Thé Matcha 26
Inspired by matcha tea, this is a soft, creamy fragrance—expect a skin scent with a hint of green.
Notes: Fig, vetiver, cedarwood, orange, matcha.
If you want your perfume to last all day, layering it over a body lotion is the best way to do so. Bonus points when the body lotion also has the same fragrance.
6. Thé Noir 29
This smooth, woody scent is definitely one of Le Labo's most underrated. It's warm and comforting, perfect for cosy autumn nights.
Notes: fig, bay leaf, bergamot, cedar, vetiver, musk, tobacco, hay.
Formulated with shea butter, sweet almond oil, and aloe, this conditioner smooths and hydrates hair, while leaving a lingering scent of musk and fig.
