Fragrances are just one of those things that are deeply subjective. What smells amazing to you may actually be the equivalent of a landfill to someone else.
Still, there’s no doubt that there are some fragrances that are more well-liked than most: Chanel No.5, for one, or Red Door by Elizabeth Arden… and Santal 33 by Le Labo, of course.
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Le… what? If the brand name isn’t ringing any bells, don’t worry. Just do a quick search of ‘Le Labo Singapore‘ and you’ll find thousands and thousands of hits from when the brand first arrived on our sunny shores. This mysterious brand may seem as if it popped out of nowhere, but their iconic scent has actually been around since 2011, with it having inspired a cult-like following from celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Karl Lagerfeld. Say what?!
Intrigued? Keep reading to find out more about this influential brand, as well as where you can go to get one of your own from Le Labo Singapore!
Le Labo: who are they?
Founded in 2006 by Fabrice Penot and Eddie Roschi, Le Labo is the lovechild of the duo. The aim behind the business? To develop a small, more authentic perfumery that shines the limelight on the perfumer and the craftsmanship of perfume development.
With that in mind, they set out to create Le Labo (which translates to The Lab), with the inspiration behind its name being a literal perfumer’s lab. Cute!
One can’t help but wonder, though: what is it that makes Le Labo stand out from the masses? Well, it could be due to the fact that they place a big emphasis on quality rather than quantity.
As of 2018, they only have 17 different fragrances in their collection. Each one of these unique scents all come with a number behind them, which actually signifies the number of ingredients that goes into each one of these freshly formulated fragrances. Each fragrance also consists of highly concentrated essential oils and uses both cruelty-free and vegan ingredients.
Another plausible reason behind their cult-like status? How their unique scents are marketed to unisex, which means everyone can find something they like.
Packaged in glass bottles with industrial labels — very much like the no-nonsense packaging from hit skincare brands Aesop and Kiehl’s — they are a far cry from the fancy, OTT perfume bottles that we tend to see on shelves these days. The minimalist packaging makes it accessible to both men and women, who would find the look understated but stylish.
Other than fragrances, you can also pick up shower gels, aftershave, and even candles from Le Labo in Singapore.
Le Labo Singapore: where can I go to get a Le Labo fragrance?
The brand used to be stocked in Escentials, but it has left for a while now. (You can still find Le Labo products online, though! And we’ll share more on this with you later!)
This was how the Le Labo counter used to be like:
You kick start the process by first taking a sniff of the fragrances before you. Each one of them is meticulously labelled with its name, ingredient list, and number of ingredients for maximum convenience.
Once you’ve identified the one you want, inform the counter staff so they can begin preparing it for you! You’ll be able to witness the whole process from start to finish from behind the glass.
The end product? A signature Le Labo scent that will have you swooning. You can even personalise it further by having your name (or any other 23 characters!) printed on the label of your fragrance.
The good news is that Le Labo has recently reopened in Takashimaya! And you’ll be able to visit its flagship store at 391 Orchard Road, Ngee Ann City, #B1-31, Singapore 238872
What Le Labo products should I be getting?
We’re glad you asked. If you’re stumped as to which fragrance you prefer or are looking for a gift instead, here are the top Le Labo products that we recommend:
1. Le Labo Santal 33
We can’t recommend a list of top Le Labo products to try without including the iconic Le Labo Santal 33, of course! Enriched with both Vitamin E and jojoba, this paraben-free and extra-dry oil perfume softens and soothes skin effortlessly. The rich, musky scent also smells like sandalwood, which makes it a great unisex scent that appeals to just about everyone.
The Le Labo Santal 33 is available at the Escentials store located at Paragon.
2. Le Labo Bergamote 22
It can be tough to find a fragrance that manages to convey sweetness, freshness, and sensuality all at once, but that is precisely what the Le Labo Bergamote 22 does! With hints of grapefruit, amber, musk as well as petit grain, just a whiff of it is bound to charm anyone who crosses your path.
The Le Labo Bergamote 22 is available at the Escentials store located at Paragon.
3. Le Labo Pin 12
A candle is a great addition to any home and makes an awesome gift to boot! Make it that much more special by opting for the Le Labo Pin 12, which will infuse any space with the scent of aromatic pinewoods interlaced with musk and a touch of amber. Oh, and did we mention that this happens to be GMO-free, cruelty-free, and vegan, too? This is a must-try product should you make your way down to Le Labo in Singapore.
The Le Labo Pin 12 is available at the Escentials store located at Paragon.
4. Le Labo Rose 31
A fragrance containing rose that is unisex? We don’t blame you if you’re feeling a little skeptical. However, as the reviews will show, the Le Labo Rose 31 pulls it off perfectly. Expect warm, spicy, and woodsy notes of cumin, cedar, and amber, with the scent being both bold and subtle at the same time. According to users, it works great when layered with other fragrances too!
The Le Labo Rose 31 is available at the Escentials store located Paragon.
5. Le Labo Face Lotion
This may be a men’s face lotion, but it is also suitable for anyone with oily, acne-prone skin. With an exceedingly gentle plant-based formula, the Le Labo Face Lotion promises to smooth and hydrate skin effortlessly. It also smells like a delectable combination of bergamot, lavender, and violet, which just sweetens the deal, really!
Shipping Le Labo products to you in Singapore: where to find them
We’ve found several listings on Shopee and Lazada that you can check out. Take note that stocks on Shopee and Lazada are from third-party vendors and not directly from the brand, so we’d recommend that you check out the credibility of the vendor through the reviews shoppers have left for them, before making a purchase.
