The Beginning: A Whisper of Clarity
Le Labo Another 13 opens like a photograph of still air. It begins with a translucent, almost intangible freshness, clean but not sterile, luminous yet without sharp edges. Ambroxan takes the lead, diffusing a quiet radiance that is both synthetic and human, like warm skin under soft light. Pear and apple provide a fleeting hint of sweetness, adding texture rather than fruitiness. The result is a start that feels pure, transparent, and almost weightless.
The Heart: Metallic Warmth and Skin-Like Glow
As the initial clarity settles, the fragrance becomes warmer, more tactile. The ambroxan deepens, creating a mineral warmth that mimics skin in motion. There are subtle hints of musk and wood, giving structure without weight. The effect is paradoxical, both clean and intimate, like freshly laundered cotton that has absorbed a hint of body heat.
Another 13 thrives on restraint. Each note is deliberate and measured, designed to blend rather than dominate. This creates a kind of olfactory quietness, a fragrance that feels familiar yet impossible to define. It becomes a personal scent that seems to merge with its wearer, shifting and expanding with time and temperature.
The Dry Down: Musk, Air, and a Faint Memory of Warmth
In its later hours, Another 13 settles into a soft, musky base. The freshness remains, but it is now wrapped in warmth and calm. The ambroxan continues to hum gently, releasing a diffused glow rather than a strong projection. On the skin, it feels smooth and clean, like a memory of perfume rather than the perfume itself. This is what makes it so distinctive: it is both present and invisible, a scent that seems to belong to the wearer rather than sit atop them.
Longevity and Performance
Another 13 is deceptive in its subtlety. Though it feels quiet, it lasts extraordinarily long. On skin, it endures for over ten hours, changing shape with the day. On clothing, it can last even longer, clinging softly to fabric and releasing small bursts of warmth with movement. Projection is moderate, most noticeable in the first few hours, then gradually settles into a gentle aura that sits close but steady.
| Top Notes | Middle Notes | Base Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pear | Jasmine | Ambroxan |
| Apple | Moss | Musk |
| Citruses | Iso E Super | Ambrette (Musk Mallow) |
| Helvetolide |
Sillage and Presence
The sillage of Another 13 is understated but unmistakable. It does not trail far, yet it creates an impression that lingers in memory. The scent feels personal, inviting, and quietly magnetic. It is not about presence in the room but about closeness, about the space where the scent and the wearer become inseparable.
When to Wear It
Another 13 is one of the most versatile fragrances in Le Labo’s collection. It suits any season, though it shines most in cooler weather when its airy warmth feels at its most balanced. It can be worn anywhere: to work, to dinner, or through a quiet afternoon alone. It fits all contexts without losing its individuality. Its polished neutrality makes it both modern and timeless, ideal for those who appreciate minimalism and subtle sophistication.
The Emotion of Simplicity
Le Labo Another 13 is a masterclass in understatement. It turns simplicity into emotion, building atmosphere through absence as much as presence. It is clean but human, refined but personal, abstract yet intimate. It has become a modern classic not because it shouts its identity, but because it quietly becomes part of yours.
Overall Rating: 9.2/10
