Custom Fragrances at Le Labo

If you are a fragrance enthusiast like myself, it quickly becomes apparent that Tokyo may not be the easiest place to acquire a new signature scent. Sure, the department stores all offer the latest blockbuster perfumes from the likes of Chanel, Dior and Lancome, but if you are looking for something a little more rare or bespoke, it can be quite a challenge. That is, until you visit Le Labo in Ebisu Nishi (just around the corner from Daikanyama Station).

Le Labo is a unique fragrance brand with a refined range of high quality scents created by some of the finest professional noses on the planet. The brand originated in New York in 2006, the brainchild of Edouard Roschi and Fabrice Penod. They had a simple mission: to create exceptional fragrances that offer an alternative to the mass-produced perfumes dominating the market.

The Le Labo store in Ebisu Nishi is a spacious, light-filled space, with an industrial interior that perfectly conveys the brand’s hipster, New York-meets-Paris ethos. The creators have crafted an inviting and calm space where customers are encouraged to take their time indulging their senses. On the day I visited the store, the staff were approachable, knowledgeable, and spoke perfect English. They were happy to help as much or as little as I wanted, so I never felt pressured to make a purchase.

There are 14 unique fragrances in the Le Labo family, and one exclusive Tokyo store fragrance, Gaiac 10. I was expertly guided through the Le Labo range, with a few key questions from the staff ensuring I tried the fragrances that suited my personal taste.

As the Le Labo range is small, this experience is extremely enjoyable, neither too time consuming or overwhelming, and really ensures you select your perfect scent.

Each of the fragrances are seen as unisex, although as you run through the range there are some that are naturally feminine (Rose 31) and masculine (Vetiver 46), as well as some that sit comfortably in between (Bergamote 22 and Santal 33). There is even something for little ones: Amberette 9, which was created as the world’s most precious baby fragrance.

Once you have selected your favorite fragrance, you can watch the Le Labo staff get to work custom making your selected scent in their lab. This is an important part of the Le Labo experience that is also incredibly unique, as each fragrance is lovingly formulated by hand, on your demand. Each custom-made scent is so personalized that you can even select a special message to adorn the bottle. It’s perfect for a special gift.

There is a range of fragrance sizes to choose from, with prices starting at ¥7,875 for 50 milliliters and running up to ¥75,600 for an extravagant, extra large glass flask. Shower gel, body lotion, massage oil, shampoo and conditioner, and candles are also available in each of the Le Labo fragrances.

The Deets

Address: 1-35-2 
Ebisu Nishi, Shibuya-ku,
 Tokyo

Tel: 03-0459-2770

Open: Daily, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

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