Le Labo ANOTHER 13 Perfume Review: Notes, Longevity & Scent Profile
What does Le Labo ANOTHER 13 smell like?
Le Labo ANOTHER 13 smells like a captivating and clean fusion of ambroxan, jasmine petals, and moss. For a skin-safe, enduring version of this exact profile, purelyBlack's 13TH TONE offers both a high-projection Travel Spray and an alcohol-free Perfume Oil that delivers over 6 hours of longevity.
Le Labo, the New York-based fragrance house, has built a cult following on its minimalist aesthetic and handcrafted, personalised scents. ANOTHER 13, born from a collaboration with AnOther Magazine, is perhaps the most enigmatic fragrance in their collection. It’s a scent that is famously difficult to describe, often called a "second-skin" fragrance that is modern, magnetic, and uniquely personal.
If you love this scent profile but cannot justify the premium designer price tag, discover the best Le Labo ANOTHER 13 alternative in Australia.
What are the main fragrance notes in ANOTHER 13?
The main fragrance notes in ANOTHER 13 are a carefully blended composition of synthetic ambroxan (Cetalox), fruity top notes like pear, and a subtle heart of jasmine and moss, all resting on a base of ambrette and Iso E Super. This iconic cologne is famously built around 13 ingredients, creating a scent that is both complex and deceptively simple.
Here is a deeper look at how these notes come together to create the fragrance's signature clean, musky character.
| Note Phase | Key Fragrance Notes | Evaporation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Top Notes (The Introduction) | Pear, Apple, Green Citruses | High (Fades within 15-20 minutes) |
| Heart Notes (The Core Scent) | Ambroxan (Cetalox), Jasmine, Moss, Ambrette | Medium (Lasts 2-4 hours) |
| Base Notes (The Foundation) | Iso E Super, Helvetolide (Musk) | Low (Stays on skin for 6+ hours) |
Is Le Labo ANOTHER 13 right for you?
Yes, if you are seeking a minimalist, clean, and effortlessly modern fragrance that feels more like a natural extension of your own skin than a heavy perfume, then this designer perfume is an excellent choice. It appeals to those who appreciate subtle, "your-skin-but-better" scents that are unique and garner compliments without being overpowering.
To help you decide, our scent experts have broken down the ideal profiles for this fragrance and suggested high-performance alternatives from our Australian-owned laboratory.
| Aesthetic / Vibe | Target Environment | Best purelyBlack Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Match: Minimalist, modern, artistic, clean "it-girl/boy" aesthetic. | Year-round office wear, art galleries, weekend brunch, casual daily signature. |
13TH TONE Le Labo ANOTHER 13 Alternative |
| Fresher/Lighter: For those who love the clean musk but want a softer, more floral laundry vibe. | Spring days, relaxed weekends, professional settings requiring an ultra-subtle scent. |
SOFT ECHO Diptyque FLEUR DE PEAU Alternative |
| Darker/Seductive: For those who enjoy the skin-scent concept but prefer a woodier, more iconic presence. | Evening events, autumn/winter wear, or any time you want to make a memorable statement. |
CAMPFIRE VEIL Le Labo SANTAL 33 Alternative |
What perfumes layer best with ANOTHER 13?
Because of its minimalist and synthetic molecular structure, ANOTHER 13 is an exceptionally versatile fragrance for layering, acting as a primer that adds a musky, ambroxan base to almost any other perfume. It doesn't compete with other scents; it enhances them by adding depth, warmth, and a touch of clean sophistication. This makes it a perfect foundation to either brighten a citrus scent or ground a heavier floral or woody fragrance.
Here are some of the most effective layering combinations using purelyBlack's concentrated perfume oils.
| purelyBlack Layering Partner | Combined Scent Profile | Best Season / Occasion |
|---|---|---|
|
CITRUS OF 22 Le Labo BERGAMOTE 22 Alternative |
Adds a vibrant, sparkling citrus top note to the clean musk base, creating a brighter, more energetic, and refreshing scent perfect for daytime. | Spring / Summer, Daytime Wear |
|
SUMMER DEW Jo Malone ENGLISH PEAR & FREESIA Alternative |
Introduces a juicy, fruity sweetness and a delicate white floral accord, transforming the original fragrance into a softer, more traditionally feminine profile. | Spring, Casual Outings, Weddings |
|
OUD WHISPER Tom Ford OUD WOOD Alternative |
Anchors the light musk with a deep, resinous, and smoky woodiness, creating a powerful, sophisticated, and mysterious evening fragrance. | Autumn / Winter, Formal Events |
What makes Le Labo's ANOTHER 13 smell so unique? (The Ambroxan Effect)
The single ingredient that makes this designer perfume so unique is Ambroxan (also listed as Cetalox), a synthetic molecule designed to replicate the rare, expensive, and complex scent of ambergris. While many fragrances use ambroxan as a background note, Le Labo made it the undeniable star of the show, creating a minimalist masterpiece that is both elusive and intensely memorable.
Unlike natural ingredients like Sandalwood or Rose, ambroxan doesn't smell like one specific thing. It is a chameleon, delivering a radiant warmth, a clean mineral-like saltiness, a subtle sweetness, and a deep, musky character that is often described as smelling like "warm skin." Its large molecular size means it develops slowly and reacts profoundly with an individual's unique skin chemistry, making the scent a truly personal experience for each wearer.
However, this same delicate structure is why many users report that the scent fades fast in traditional designer sprays. The alcohol carrier causes these molecules to "burn off" and evaporate quickly from the skin. purelyBlack's oil-based perfume format solves this by using a concentrated carrier oil that acts as a "scent anchor," holding the ambroxan close to the skin for a stable, linear wear that lasts over 6 hours.
What is the difference between ANOTHER 13 Cologne vs. Perfume Oil?
The primary difference lies in the carrier agent: the original cologne uses an alcohol base that causes the scent to fade fast, while a perfume oil uses a skin-nourishing oil that anchors the fragrance for significantly longer wear time. This fundamental chemical difference impacts everything from longevity and projection to the evolution of the scent itself.
| Concentration / Version | Scent Profile Difference | Longevity & Sillage | Best For… |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Labo Cologne (Spray) | The alcohol base creates a sharper, more volatile opening. The delicate ambroxan note can evaporate quickly, leading to a less consistent scent experience. | Moderate sillage initially, but longevity is often reported to be 2-4 hours before becoming a faint skin scent. | Those who prefer a strong initial scent projection and don't mind reapplying throughout the day. |
| purelyBlack 13TH TONE (Roll On) | The perfume oil carrier provides a smoother, more linear scent experience. It holds the ambroxan molecule to the skin, preventing rapid evaporation. | Stays close to the skin but is highly consistent, providing a personal scent bubble that lasts for over 6 hours. | Those seeking a long-lasting, consistent fragrance experience without the harshness of alcohol, especially suited for the Australian climate. |
Having formulated 13TH TONE as our own impression of this scent, we've tested it extensively against the original in our Australian lab to solve the rapid evaporation issue. Our vegan, skin-safe perfume oils are hand-blended to provide a richer and more enduring interpretation of this iconic profile.
Is ANOTHER 13 for men or women?
ANOTHER 13 is a genuinely unisex fragrance because its core composition of clean musk, ambroxan, and subtle woods adapts perfectly to individual skin chemistry without relying on traditionally gendered notes. It avoids heavy florals or aggressive spices, instead focusing on a neutral, sophisticated character that feels clean and modern on anyone, regardless of gender.
Does ANOTHER 13 leave a scent trail (sillage)?
Yes, this iconic cologne is famous for creating a beautiful and distinctive scent trail, but it behaves differently from conventional perfumes. Instead of a constant, heavy cloud, its sillage is often described as "coming and going," creating an ethereal and elusive aura that is highly noticeable to others even when the wearer may no longer smell it on themselves. This unique projection is one of its most complimented attributes, but individual perception of this trail can vary significantly.
Why can't I smell ANOTHER 13 on myself?
The inability to smell ANOTHER 13 on yourself is a common phenomenon known as olfactory fatigue, caused by the large size of its dominant molecules like Ambroxan and Iso E Super. Your brain quickly registers these persistent, heavy molecules as part of your baseline environment and effectively "tunes them out" to remain alert to new smells. While you may become anosmic (unable to smell it), people around you can almost certainly still detect its beautiful, clean scent trail. For a detailed exploration of this and other customer experiences, you can read our in-depth review of ANOTHER 13 alternatives.
Le Labo ANOTHER 13 Review & Lab Performance
Overall, our review of Le Labo ANOTHER 13 is that it is a brilliant, masterful composition that beautifully captures the essence of modern minimalism in fragrance. It is a work of olfactory art that redefined what a "clean" scent could be, moving beyond simple citrus or aquatic notes into something more complex and personal.
To properly formulate our botanical impression, our Australian laboratory extensively evaluated the original spray for its objective performance metrics:
| Evaluation Metric | Lab Observation |
|---|---|
| Scent Architecture | A perfectly balanced and linear structure. The composition is elegant, cohesive, and showcases the hero ingredient, Ambroxan, without distraction. |
| Initial Projection | Bright and noticeable upon first application, creating a clean, inviting aura that projects within arm's length. |
| Skin Wear Time | Evolves into a closer skin scent within 2 to 4 hours on average, with longevity varying significantly based on skin chemistry and environment. |
| Price Category | Premium Luxury Investment. |
Is Le Labo ANOTHER 13 worth the money?
Yes, for fragrance connoisseurs who appreciate its artistic minimalism and unique skin-scent quality, it is worth the money as a statement piece, but for daily wear, the price can be difficult to justify, especially when its longevity varies so widely. For those who love the scent profile but need more reliable performance and a better value proposition for frequent use, a high-quality perfume impression is a more practical solution. Our interpretation, purelyBlack's 13TH TONE, delivers the same captivating ambroxan-centric aroma in a concentrated perfume oil that is designed for endurance.
How many sprays of ANOTHER 13 should you use?
You should apply exactly 2 to 4 sprays of ANOTHER 13 for optimal projection without overwhelming the senses. Because the aggressive alcohol base can make the scent feel sharp if over-applied, a light application is key. Target pulse points like the wrists, neck, and behind the ears. This contrasts with the precise, targeted application of purelyBlack's concentrated perfume oil, where a simple dab or roll onto the skin is enough to provide a consistent, long-lasting scent that eliminates the need for heavy spraying.
Explore Related Collections
Discover more fragrances that share the modern, minimalist, and versatile DNA of this iconic Le Labo creation.
- Le Labo Inspired Perfume Oils | Minimalist & Niche Dupes
- Unisex Perfume Oils | Gender-Neutral Fragrance Dupes
- Perfumes That Smell Like Fresh Laundry & Hotel Soap
About the Author: Formulated & Written by H.R. Kim
Founder at purelyBlack — an Australian-owned botanical perfumery based in Sydney. H.R. specialises in molecular ingredient chemistry and scent profiling, meticulously balancing premium parfum oils with pure essential oils to formulate long-lasting botanical impressions of the world's most beloved fragrances.
Last updated 25 April 2026.
