I’ve never been to Beijing, Berlin, Los Angeles, Paris, or Tokyo, but I know what each place smells like. Or, at least, I know how Le Labo has attempted to bottle the essence of each iconic city.
The luxury fragrance brand has been making city-exclusive scents since its founding in 2006 by friends Fabrice Penot and Edouard Roschi.
The duo first honored New York, where the brand was founded, with the Tubereuse 40 fragrance that’s meant to evoke “intensity, pureness, and bliss,” like the city.
Since then, Le Labo has created 18 other city-inspired scents that you can typically only buy in person at boutiques around the world.
Each September, though, the brand sells these 19 fragrances on its website for anyone to buy — no travel required. As a newer fan of the brand, I knew I had to try a few for myself.
I purchased the $65 Discovery Kit, which comes with five samples of select city scents. It sold out quickly, but all 19 individual fragrances are still available, priced between $13 and $1,810 each, depending on the bottle size.
Here’s how I’d rank each scent in the kit from worst to best. (And by the way, Business Insider purchased the kit on our own; the brand didn’t know we’d review it ahead of time.)
I wouldn’t wear Le Labo’s Los Angeles scent again.
The thought of Los Angeles brings to mind images of striking sunlight, Hollywood stars, and busy nightlife. So if I were to guess, a perfume inspired by the city would be bright, fresh, and magnetic.
Unfortunately, that’s not how I would describe Musc 25. The fragrance initially smells sweet with hints of citrus and florals, but quickly turns musky. Eventually, it settles into a strong powder scent.
I do think the fragrance is versatile. It can smell sweet or sensual, depending on who wears it.
Unlike other Le Labo scents I’ve tried, though, it doesn’t remain layered. After just a few moments on the skin, only the powder note sticks around — and it’s not one I’m fond of.
The Beijing-inspired fragrance isn’t for me, but I can see why others might like it.
Le Labo says on its website that Shiu 25 is an homage to “contemplative refuges for the self” in Beijing, and is meant to evoke balance and inner peace. I find this scent a little too strong to bring the latter.
The fragrance has deep notes of iris, frankincense, and Shiu wood, creating a vibrant scent that lingers for a long time. This scent is also dark and earthy, but also floral. I can see why others might love it.
Unfortunately, on my skin, this fragrance smelled a bit like pickle juice — an issue I also had with the fan-favorite Santal 33 scent. It’s a disappointing chemistry phenomenon, but not Le Labo’s fault.
Luckily, Shiu 25 smelled better the longer I wore it, even though it ultimately wasn’t for me.
I really enjoy the Tokyo scent and wish it lasted longer on the skin.
When I first spritzed Gaiac 10 on my wrist, I questioned if any fragrance actually came out of the bottle. The scent is that subtle.
With a few more sprays, though, it built into a light, leafy, and slightly sweet fragrance that I liked. Best were the notes of cedar and frankincense that appeared as it settled into my skin.
As Le Labo says on its website, you won’t “leave a perfuming trail from where you are to Hokkaido” when you wear this fragrance. It’s something you’ll only smell up close.
While I can mostly appreciate that, this scent did leave me wanting just a little more staying power.
Le Labo’s Berlin fragrance is perfect for transitioning into fall.
Cedrat 37 was the first city-exclusive scent I tried, and I loved it.
This fragrance is spicy but not sharp, and musky but not masculine. It also has a fresh, ginger edge that’s deep and rich.
Le Labo describes it perfectly: “fresh, acidic, and with an addictive candied sweetness.” I found myself repeatedly seeking whiffs of the scent because I enjoyed it that much.
It’s the perfect fragrance to wear during the transition from summer to fall. I especially love that with only a few sprays, its scent lingered the entire day.
I could see myself wearing the Paris scent every day.
As I’ve learned from other scents, the names of Le Labo perfumes shouldn’t be taken at face value.
Vanille 44, for example, is not simply a vanilla perfume inspired by the city of light and love. Instead, this fragrance blends the classic gourmand with amber, wood, and citrus notes. To me, it smells romantic and nostalgic.
I’m also a fan of how it wears on the skin: it’s long-lasting, but not overpowering. Each whiff is a sweet reminder of this small luxury I can wear.
I love the scent so much, I’m almost tempted to buy a full bottle, which costs $398. Maybe one day.