Le Labo Chicago
I found myself in one of my favorite parts of the city once again-West Town (where Wicker Park and Bucktown meet)! I have shared my love for this area before and there always seems to be something new to explore here! Strangely, my newest discovery is right next door to my favorite boutique hotel and cafe-the Robey. I have probably walked by this place a half a dozen times but only recently walked in for the first time. For anyone who has a love of fresh scents, then Le Labo Fragrances is a place to check out!
Almost instantly achieving cult like brand status, Le Labo’s founder, Fabric Penot, has often defied convention. From the brand’s inception and lack of advertising, to each fragrance’s on-the-spot blending and city-specific scents.
Offering about 15 perfumes, plus an exclusive one formulated just for the Chicago store (there are locations all over the world with each city offering city exclusive scents), you are able to sample, fall in love, and then have your perfume of choice hand-blend on site into your own bottle. With that process, you are getting the freshest bottle of perfume. The shelf life starts the moment you purchase it! If you do not want to commit to a whole bottle, then you can formulate your chosen perfume into a solid perfume, an amulet or a rollerball.
Besides perfume, the scents are also offered in candles, body lotions, body oils and exclusive diffuser oils. All ingredients used are natural and vegan with absolutely no animal testing involved. The technicians on hand are passionate about the product and were engaging and friendly to speak with!
Of course, any space that is aesthetically pleasing is always an added bonus! I love the concept and the design of Le Labo and cannot wait to check out the other locations on future travels! And if there is not a Le Labo store located near you, Le Labo is now offered at Nordstrom’s!
Le Labo Fragrances
What I love most about the Le Labo scents is their versatility to be worn by both men and women. Personally, I cannot wear anything to sweet or ultra feminine. I feel there is a bit of a sense of mystery when a scent holds a touch of masculinity to it.
Santal 26
Penot’s first fragrance for the brand was a candle with an intoxicating leathery smoke scent named Santal 26. Still offered as a home fragrance, Santal 26 will fill your space with a smoky, leathery yet gentle scent!
Santal 33
To make the Santal scent more wearable, Penot slightly altered Santal 26, and Santal 33 was born. A sexy, smoky sensuous slightly scent conjuring up the aroma of smoky fires, leather and cedarwood. Notes of cardamom, iris, and violet balance out this fragrance. The most popular of the Le Labo scents, I think it is the perfect perfume to wear during the fall and winter season.
Rose 31
The Santal family of scents often predominates the sales of the Le Labo fragrances but there are so many other wonderful fragrances to take in. My personal favorite is Rose 31. Even though the scent of rose takes center stage here, it is beautifully balanced with cumin, musks and cedar. Investing in a lotion is a great way to introduce yourself to this line. I honestly get stopped asking what I am wearing when all I have done is applied lotion. It is that wonderfully strong!
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Thanks for stopping by!
L, M