Le Labo Another 13 Review - Innovative Yet Timeless Spirit of the Magazine
The idea behind Le Labo's line of products is that they are like a magazine; each product comes with a story from one of the world-renowned artists whose artworks were used to create them. They're not just perfume bottles—they're works of art themselves. While most perfumes come in standard glass bottles, these scents are housed in unique vessels made from wood, metal, or even paper.
Each bottle tells a part of the story that goes along with the fragrance inside. Some feature pieces taken directly from artwork, while others have been specially crafted to tell a different tale than the original painting. In some cases, the vessel itself takes on a character of its own.
What Does Le Labo Another 13 Smell Like
Another 13 is described as being inspired by the smell of old books, leather, and tobacco smoke. The opening notes are sweet like candied fruit paired with a hint of cedarwood.
There's also something herbal about the scent; maybe rosemary or sage—but it doesn't quite seem to fit anywhere else. As time passes, more layers start coming out: cardamom, clove, sandalwood, patchouli, and vetiver all emerge. The whole thing smells earthy and complex without feeling overwhelming.
At the end of the day, this fragrance is really warm and cozy. It feels like taking a bath after spending a rainy afternoon curled up with a good book. When you put it on, you feel calm and relaxed. It helps to take away the stress of the day (and the winter weather). That said, it doesn't smell masculine at all.
In fact, it could easily be worn by a woman, but somehow the thought of wearing it makes me think of someone who wears glasses—someone with a little bit of nerdy charm. It reminds me of walking down the hallway at school on a cold winter morning; everyone bundled up in sweaters or coats but carrying a small bouquet of flowers because they don't know how else to say they care.
This is definitely the kind of scent that brings back memories of home and comfort. It's like putting on an old pair of slippers. On first impression, it might not seem to be a very exciting fragrance.
Projection
Another 13 starts out with light projection and builds over time. The scent isn't too strong at first, so it lasts throughout the day before fading into nothingness by evening. However, it does build slowly until it reaches its peak between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., where it stays pretty intense until around midnight.
After that, the intensity gradually fades again; by 4 a.m., it's completely gone—but only after giving off an almost narcotic effect once it peaks. In other words, this perfume is like a slow-burning candle: you can't see it burning, but you still get a nice aroma from it. If you want to keep the scent going all night long, reapply every couple of hours.
When To Wear Le Labo Another 13
This fragrance is perfect for fall and winter evenings when you're craving something comforting and warm. Since it's not overly powerful, it won't overwhelm people around you. Plus, it's not too sweet that it'll clash with your dessert.
Try wearing this fragrance to a dinner party; it can set the mood perfectly. It's also great for traveling since it doesn't need to be applied often. All you have to do is apply it before you leave home and it should last you the whole day.
Of course, if you like this fragrance enough to buy it, you probably already know that, but it's worth repeating anyway. If you don't use a ton of body spray or cologne—which you shouldn't, by the way—then this is a great choice for you.
