Le Labo Another 13: Scent, Price, Dupes, Why It’s So Expensive
There’s a reason AnOther Magazine’s 2010 collaboration with Le Labo still confuses and charms fragrance lovers in equal measure: it smells like nothing else on the shelf—and it costs more than most. Created by perfumer Nathalie Lorson, Another 13 is an Oriental Woody built around the synthetic musk ambroxyde, and this guide unpacks the scent, price, celebrity whispers, and alternatives to help you decide if it’s worth the investment.
Launch year: 2010 · Perfumer: Nathalie Lorson · Fragrance family: Oriental Woody · Key ingredient: Ambroxyde · Available sizes: 30ml, 50ml, 100ml · Collaboration: Created for AnOther Magazine
Quick snapshot
- Oriental Woody fragrance for women and men (Fragrantica)
- Created by Nathalie Lorson in 2010 for AnOther Magazine (Le Labo official)
- Key ingredient: ambroxyde, a synthetic animal musk (Dublin Airport duty free)
- Available at Le Labo official site and select retailers (Le Labo store locator)
- Exact list of celebrity wearers – names often not officially confirmed
- Whether the price is justified – subjective and depends on personal value
- Precise dupe comparisons – individual skin chemistry alters scent perception
- 2010: Le Labo commissioned by AnOther Magazine to create an exclusive scent (Le Labo official)
- Growing alternative market with dupes from The Parfum Hub and MATCH Perfumes
- Limited edition re-releases possible as demand stays high (The Parfum Hub)
Seven key facts, one pattern: every number reinforces the singular story of a fragrance born from a magazine partnership that never intended to become a permanent best‑seller.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Fragrance Type | Oriental Woody |
| Launch Year | 2010 |
| Perfumer | Nathalie Lorson |
| Key Note | Ambroxyde |
| Sizes | 30ml, 50ml, 100ml |
| Price Range | $200–$400 (approx.) |
| Celebrity Wearers | Multiple (undisclosed) |
What Does Another 13 Smell Like?
Top notes
- Pear – adds a subtle fruity opening that fades quickly (The Parfum Hub)
Middle notes
- Ambrette, Iso E Super – create a soft, musky heart
Base notes
- Ambroxyde, Musk, Amyl Salicylate – the signature dirty‑clean animalic dry‑down (The Parfum Hub)
Comparison to other Le Labo scents
While Santal 33 is loud, creamy and sandalwood‑forward, Another 13 stays close to the skin. It’s quieter, more intimate, yet paradoxically more complex. One Reddit user calls it all at once subtle and complex, floral and salty, quiet and loud
.
The implication: Another 13 rewards those who give it time.
Why Is Le Labo Another 13 So Expensive?
Ingredients and concentration
The key ingredient, ambroxyde, is a synthetic molecule that mimics ambergris. While not rare, the concentration used in Another 13 is reportedly higher than in many competitors, and the fragrance is an Eau de Parfum (15–20% oil concentration).
Brand positioning
Le Labo positions itself as a niche, artisanal house. Every bottle is hand‑blended and personalised with a label printed at the counter. This labour‑intensive process adds cost (Le Labo official).
Limited production and exclusivity
Another 13 started as a limited edition for AnOther Magazine. Though now part of the permanent line, production remains smaller than mass‑market fragrances, keeping scarcity high and prices stable.
Collaboration premium
The editorial backing of AnOther Magazine and the story of being created for Sarah of Colette
add intangible cachet. You’re paying for a piece of fashion‑art history, not just liquid.
The pattern: every price component—from ingredients to presentation—reflects a deliberate choice to stay small and luxury‑focused. For buyers, that means a premium of roughly 3–4× over a standard designer fragrance.
Which Celebrities Wear Another 13?
Confirmed celebrity fans
Specific names are rarely confirmed by Le Labo itself. However, the fragrance appears on multiple celebrity favourite scent
lists compiled by magazines and blogs.
Associations from magazines and blogs
Esquire, GQ, and NSS G‑Club have featured Another 13 as a go‑to scent for stylish insiders. It’s often described as an it‑girl
fragrance (though exact endorsements are unverified).
Why it’s popular among it-girls
Its subtle sillage means you’re never overpowering, and the ambroxyde base has a pheromone‑like quality that invites closeness. That combination—quiet luxury with a dirty edge—fits the current mood perfectly.
The lack of official celebrity endorsements actually boosts the mystique: anyone could be wearing it, and you wouldn’t know unless you leaned in close.
The implication: the mystery of celebrity association adds to the allure.
Why Is Another 13 So Good?
Unique scent profile
It’s simultaneously synthetic and warm, clean and dirty. The ambroxyde molecule creates a skin‑amplifying effect that smells different on everyone who wears it.
Compliment factor
Esquire included Another 13 in The 6 Fragrances That Will Get You The Most Compliments
. Reddit users consistently name it their top compliment‑getter.
Longevity and sillage
On skin, expect 6–8 hours. On clothes, it can last 24+ hours. The sillage is moderate—a few inches around you—which makes it appropriate for office and date nights alike (Fragrantica).
Versatility
Wearable year‑round, day or night. The ambroxyde‑musk base is warm enough for winter, yet light enough for summer heat.
What this means: Another 13 isn’t good because it’s loud or unique in a novelty sense. It’s good because it’s reliable—a scent that works with your skin chemistry, not against it.
Are There Any Dupes for Le Labo Another 13?
Best affordable alternatives
- Riviera 13 by The Parfum Hub – £17.99 (30ml), stronger to the nose, contains Iso E Super and Ambroxan (The Parfum Hub)
- Another 13 Copy by MATCH Perfumes – £31.90, rated 4.8/5, free UK delivery, includes a free tester (MATCH Perfumes)
- Extra XIII 1086 by Perfume Parlour – from £2.99, claims 90%+ similarity, money‑back guarantee (Perfume Parlour)
- Echo 074 by MisterScent – an indie alternative (MisterScent)
Similar scent profiles
All dupes rely on ambroxyde/acetylambroxan as the core. They tend to be louder and less nuanced than the original—a trade‑off many buyers happily accept for the price difference.
Four alternatives, one pattern: they all hit the same skin‑amplifying note but skip the subtle floral‑salty balance that makes the original enigmatic.
| Product | Price | Similarity claim | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Le Labo Another 13 (100ml) | ~$400 | – | Ambroxyde, Musk, Ambrette, Pear |
| Riviera 13 (30ml) | £17.99 | Stronger to nose | Iso E Super, Ambroxan, Musk, Ambrette |
| MATCH Perfumes Another 13 Copy (50ml) | £31.90 | 4.8/5 customer rating | Ambroxan, Musk, Woody |
| Perfume Parlour Extra XIII 1086 (30ml) | £2.99 | 90%+ similarity | Ambroxan, Iso E Super, Musk |
No dupe perfectly replicates the original’s longevity and evolving dry‑down. For £15 you get 80% of the vibe; for $400 you get the full architectural complexity.
The pattern: dupes offer a gateway to the scent profile at a fraction of the cost.
Pros & Cons of Le Labo Another 13
Upsides
- Unique, skin‑amplifying scent that gets compliments
- Excellent longevity (6–8 hours on skin)
- Versatile for any season, day or night
- Unisex appeal, works on all skin types
- Limited‑edition backstory adds collector value
Downsides
- Very high price – up to $400 for 100ml
- Subtle sillage may not satisfy projection seekers
- Not a crowd‑pleaser – some find it too animalic
- Synthetic ambroxyde can smell metallic on certain skin
- Difficult to sample in stores outside major cities
You trade projection and instant recognisability for intimacy and uniqueness. For those who want to be discovered rather than announced, it’s a worthwhile swap.
What this means: the choice ultimately depends on personal priorities.
Clarity Check: What’s Known vs. What’s Rumoured
Confirmed facts
- Another 13 is an Oriental Woody fragrance for women and men (Fragrantica)
- Created by Nathalie Lorson in 2010 for AnOther Magazine (Le Labo official)
- Key note is ambroxyde (Dublin Airport duty free)
- Available in 30ml, 50ml, 100ml at Le Labo boutiques and selected retailers
- Dupes exist from The Parfum Hub, MATCH Perfumes, Perfume Parlour and MisterScent
What remains unclear
- Exact list of celebrity wearers – no official spokespersons
- Whether the price is objectively justified – value is subjective
- Exact dupe fidelity – skin chemistry alters perception
- Whether original batch formulations have changed over time
The pattern: the balance of known and unknown reinforces the perfume’s mystique.
What People Are Saying
Another 13 by Le Labo is an Oriental Woody fragrance for women and men. The nose behind this fragrance is Nathalie Lorson.
— Fragrantica description
All at once subtle and complex, floral and salty, quiet and loud…
— Reddit user, r/fragrance
It’s composed of ambroxyde, a synthetic animal musk, making ANOTHER 13 an addictive dirty potion…
— Dublin and Cork Duty Free site
Le Labo was commissioned by AnOther Magazine to create a special, exclusive scent; ‘Another 13’ was born thanks to Sarah of Colette.
— Le Labo official page
The implication: three of the four voices are commercial (brand, duty‑free, reviewer), yet they all converge on the same paradox—the scent is both synthetic and intimate, dirty and clean.
Summary: Is Le Labo Another 13 Worth It?
Another 13 is a deliberate, uncompromising piece of olfactory design. It’s not a mass‑market hit; it’s an editor’s scent that rewards patience and proximity. For the UK buyer weighing the £400 for 100ml against dupes starting at £2.99, the choice is clear: buy the original if the story and the evolving complexity matter more than the price tag; if you just want the ambroxyde vibe, a £30 dupe will get you 80% of the way. For the fashion‑forward shopper who values understated luxury and a conversation‑starting backstory, Another 13 remains the benchmark that no alternative has yet matched.
Related reading: Elf Power Grip Primer: What It’s Good For & How to Use · Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation – Complete Review Guide
For those curious about the brand’s other cult favorite, Le Labos iconic Santal 33 offers a contrasting woody profile to the ambroxan-heavy Another 13.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Le Labo Another 13 last?
On skin it typically lasts 6–8 hours; on clothing it can easily survive 24 hours. Longevity is one of its most praised attributes.
Is Le Labo Another 13 unisex?
Yes, it is marketed as a fragrance for women and men. Its ambroxyde base works with both masculine and feminine skin chemistry.
What is the inspiration behind Another 13?
It was a limited‑edition commission from AnOther Magazine in 2010, created for Sarah of Colette boutique. The idea was to craft a scent that felt like a second skin.
Does Another 13 contain alcohol?
Yes, like most Eau de Parfum, it contains denatured alcohol as the carrier for the fragrance oils.
How should I apply Another 13 for best results?
Spray on pulse points (wrists, neck, behind ears) and on clothing. Because it’s skin‑amplifying, less is more—two sprays are often enough.
Is Another 13 considered a niche perfume?
Yes. Le Labo is an independent niche house, and Another 13 is one of its most cult‑status offerings.
Can I get a sample of Another 13?
Le Labo sells sample sets on its official site. Many retailers (Liberty London, Harvey Nichols) also offer in‑store testing.
How does Another 13 compare to Le Labo Santal 33?
Santal 33 is loud, woody and pickle‑adjacent (due to violet carboxaldehyde). Another 13 is quieter, more synthetic‑musky, and sits much closer to the skin.
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