Le Labo Another 13 Review: The Invisible Scent That Makes You Unforgettable
Discover the cult fragrance that whispers instead of shouts, wrapping you in an intimate, addictive aura.
In the world of fragrance, where loud statements and bold declarations often reign supreme, Le Labo's Another 13 arrived as a quiet revolution. Launched in 2010, it wasn't born from a traditional perfume house brief but from a collaboration with the iconic magazine AnOther. The challenge was audacious: create a scent for the magazine's 13th anniversary that was not just a fragrance, but an olfactory signature—something that felt personal, intimate, and utterly unique to the wearer. The result was a scent that defied easy categorization, a fragrance that many describe not as something you smell, but as something you become.
Positioned within Le Labo's exclusive City Exclusives collection (originally only available in London), Another 13 quickly developed a mythos. Its limited availability made it a whispered secret among fragrance connoisseurs, a holy grail for those in the know. When Le Labo finally released it globally in 2019, the dam broke. It transformed from a niche secret into a modern classic, a staple for those who find traditional perfumes either too sweet, too floral, or too obvious. It occupies a singular space: a fragrance of immense presence that paradoxically feels like a second skin.
The inspiration behind Another 13 is the concept of a 'molecular' or 'skin' scent. The perfumers aimed to create an aroma that blends so seamlessly with your natural chemistry that it's impossible to tell where you end and the fragrance begins. It's not designed to be smelled on a strip; it's designed to be experienced on living skin. The concept is one of intimacy and abstraction, evoking the comforting, familiar scent of warm skin, clean linen, and the faint, pleasant memory of a well-loved book or a sun-drenched wooden loft.
Its cultural impact is profound. Another 13 has become the signature scent for a generation of creatives, minimalists, and those with a refined, understated aesthetic. It's discussed in hushed, reverent tones in online fragrance communities, often described with phrases like 'my skin but better,' 'addictive,' and 'phantom scent.' It has redefined what a luxury fragrance can be—moving away from opulent, theatrical compositions toward something deeply personal, intelligent, and subtly powerful. It’s not a perfume you wear; it’s an aura you cultivate.
The Nose Behind the Scent
Another 13 was created by the legendary perfumer Nathalie Lorson, in collaboration with Le Labo founders Fabrice Penot and Eddie Roschi. Nathalie Lorson is a master of modern, abstract accords, known for her work on iconic scents like Maison Margiela's 'By the Fireplace' (co-creation), Lalique's 'Encre Noire,' and several other groundbreaking compositions for brands like Costume National and Juliette Has a Gun. Her genius lies in creating emotionally resonant, often minimalist structures that feel both innovative and timeless.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The first spray is a surprising, almost ethereal burst. You get a crisp, slightly metallic whisper of jasmine absolute and moss, but it's fleeting. Within seconds, it begins its rapid fusion with your skin. It's less of a traditional 'opening' and more of an immediate integration—a cool, clean, slightly mineralic sensation that feels like the air in a sleek, modern art gallery.
After 30-60 minutes, the fragrance truly settles. The ambroxan and synthetic ambergris notes rise to the forefront, creating a warm, salty, skin-like sensation. The jasmine is completely gone, replaced by this incredibly addictive, slightly creamy warmth. It feels intimate and cozy, like the scent of sun-warmed skin or a soft, well-washed cashmere sweater. This is the heart of Another 13, and it lasts for hours—a persistent, comforting hum.
In the deep drydown, 6+ hours in, it becomes a pure, woody-musk whisper. The Iso E Super and clean musks are all that remain, creating a scent that is barely perceptible as a 'perfume' but is instead a fundamental enhancement of your own scent. It's a ghost of a fragrance, a trace on your collar the next day that makes you pause and think, 'What is that beautiful smell?' It's the definition of longevity through subtlety.
Performance Dashboard
Exceptional. Easily lasts 12-16 hours on skin and days, even through washes, on fabric. It's a scent that becomes part of your environment.
Low to intimate. It creates a very personal bubble, extending maybe an arm's length at most after the first hour. It's not a room-filler; it's a whisper for those who come close.
Moderate but subtle. It leaves a faint, enticing trail, but it's more of a 'hint' than a declaration. People will notice something pleasant as you pass, but struggle to pinpoint it.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Compliments are not frequent shouts, but intense, curious inquiries. You'll get people leaning in close, asking 'What *is* that? You smell amazing.' They are often delivered in hushed, intimate tones, which feels more meaningful than a passing remark.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Uniquely personal and addictive skin-scent quality
- ✅ Phenomenal longevity that clings to skin and fabric
- ✅ Extremely versatile and office-safe
- ✅ Genderless appeal that works brilliantly on anyone
- ✅ Minimalist, chic presentation and concept
- ❌ Very high price point for an abstract scent
- ❌ Low projection may disappoint those wanting a 'beast mode' fragrance
- ❌ Can cause nose blindness (anosmia) due to heavy use of synthetics like Ambroxan
- ❌ The opening can be polarizing—some detect a harsh, alcohol-like note initially
Price & Value
“It's a significant investment. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on your philosophy. If you seek a unique, long-lasting, personal signature scent that feels like an extension of yourself, it is unparalleled and justifies the cost. If you want loud performance and obvious luxury notes, it may feel overpriced.”
📜 Reformulation History
No major publicized reformulations since its global release in 2019. As with all Le Labo fragrances, they are mixed fresh upon order, but the formula has remained consistent. Some users report slight variations in the sharpness of the opening between batches, but the core drydown experience is remarkably stable.
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Men and women aged 25-50 who value minimalism and subtlety
- Creative professionals, architects, writers
- Those with a 'less is more' philosophy in style
- People who are tired of sweet or overtly floral commercial fragrances
- Anyone seeking a signature scent that feels uniquely theirs
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Those who love bold, projecting, sweet, or spicy fragrances
- People who want immediate olfactory impact and clear 'notes'
- Those sensitive to synthetic musks or ambroxan (can cause anosmia)
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Centered around Cetalox (similar to Ambroxan), creating a pure, your-skin-but-better molecular scent. Simpler and more singular than Another 13.
A more affordable, pink pepper-and-iris take on the personal skin musk concept. Softer, sweeter, and less woody than Another 13.
The original Iso E Super scent. More purely woody/cedar-like and pencil-shaving-esque, lacking the musky, skin-salty depth of Another 13.
Shares the potent, long-lasting Ambroxan-saffron-woody DNA, but BR540 is far sweeter (cotton candy), louder, and more opulent. Another 13 is its minimalist, introverted cousin.
💡 Clone Alternatives
A dedicated oil-based dupe that captures the musky-ambroxan core with impressive accuracy and longevity at a fraction of the cost.
A well-regarded affordable alternative that focuses on the clean, mossy, and musky facets. Users report 85-90% similarity.
An oil roll-on duplicate that emphasizes the intimate, skin-clinging quality and offers exceptional longevity for a very low price.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
Shares a similar vibe of effortless, clean, slightly woody sophistication that feels personal and chic.
For those who appreciate Another 13's minimalist, naturalistic aesthetic but desire a greener, fig-based narrative.
Appeals to the same audience that loves contemplative, woody, and atmospheric scents that evoke a specific mood and place.
A more complex, fig-and-tobacco laden scent from the same house that shares the intelligent, modern DNA.
More from Le Labo
🧪 Layering Ideas
- Layer with a simple vanilla solinote (like by / Rosie Jane's 'Dulce') to add a touch of creamy sweetness.
- Boost the woody aspect with a single spray of a pure cedarwood oil or fragrance like CdG's 'Wonderwood'.
- For a cleaner, laundry-fresh twist, layer lightly with a white musk fragrance like Narciso Rodriguez 'For Her' (the white cube).
🏆 Final Verdict
Le Labo Another 13 is not merely a fragrance; it is an experience in modern olfaction. It challenges the very idea of what a perfume should do. It forgoes the dramatic arc for a sustained, intimate whisper. Buying Another 13 is an investment in a feeling—the feeling of cultivated subtlety, of intelligent allure, of wearing something that feels inherently 'you.'
You should buy it if you are weary of perfumes that wear you. Buy it if you seek a signature that is discreet yet unforgettable, that sparks curiosity rather than announcement. Buy it for its phenomenal longevity that makes a single bottle last through countless intimate moments. Buy it for the way it transforms on your skin into something no one else can replicate perfectly.
In a world saturated with noise, Another 13 is a moment of profound quiet confidence. It’s the scent of someone who knows their own taste, who values quality over showmanship, and who understands that the most powerful statements are often made just within reach. It’s a modern masterpiece of perfumery minimalism, and for the right person, it becomes not just a fragrance, but a fundamental part of their identity.