Another 13

The Verdict

Le Labo Another 13 is perhaps the most paradoxical fragrance in modern perfumery. Born from a 2010 collaboration with AnOther Magazine and composed by Nathalie Lorson, it inspires devotion and dismissal in almost equal measure. With a 7.5 scent rating on Parfumo from nearly 1,000 ratings and a notably poor value-for-money score of 5.6, it perfectly embodies the tension between niche cachet and practical satisfaction.

The core debate centers on what you are actually paying for. Supporters describe an addictive, compliment-generating skin scent unlike anything else in their collection. Detractors see another ambroxan-based composition marketed at niche prices for what amounts to a few synthetic molecules. Both sides have valid points, and your skin chemistry will likely be the deciding factor.

What It Smells Like

Describing what Another 13 smells like is notoriously difficult, which is part of its allure. The opening offers subtle pear and apple with a whisper of citruses, but these are fleeting impressions rather than bold statements. Within minutes, the molecular heart takes over: ambrette, jasmine, and moss create a clean, powdery, almost transparent floral quality.

The base is where Another 13 lives. Iso E Super, cetalox, ambrettolide, and helvetolide form a quartet of aromatic molecules that create a warm, musky, skin-like aura. Reviewers describe it as beige and minimalist, like looking through frosted glass. Some compare it to a glossy magazine aesthetic, polished and crisp. Others are less generous, finding it reminiscent of fabric softeners and hotel rooms. The fragrance has a dusty, powdery quality that feels intimate and personal rather than projected.

When to Wear It

Another 13 is genuinely an all-occasion, all-season fragrance. Its light, inoffensive character makes it appropriate for offices, first dates, casual outings, and formal events alike. Reviewers note it is versatile and safe for wear in pretty much any setting.

This versatility is both its strength and its limitation. Another 13 never feels wrong anywhere, but it also never feels particularly special for any specific occasion. It is the fragrance equivalent of a perfectly tailored neutral outfit: always appropriate, never the center of attention.

Longevity & Projection

Perfumo rates longevity at 7.6 and sillage at a modest 6.8. In practice, reports vary dramatically. Some users describe above-average longevity of 8 or more hours, while others struggle to detect it on their skin at all. The culprit is nose blindness: ambroxan, the dominant molecule, is notorious for causing anosmia in the wearer while remaining detectable to others.

One reviewer gave longevity 9 out of 10 with the telling caveat: if you can smell it. Do not be surprised if you spray this and cannot detect anything for hours, only to have someone nearby comment on how wonderful you smell. The beauty of Another 13 lies not in projection or sillage but in the fleeting moments it reveals itself: caught in motion, at close range, creating a subtle aura that draws people closer.

The Community Says

Reddit and forum discussions reveal a deeply divided community. One enthusiast reported that in three months of wearing it, they received more compliments than ever, from people on the bus, receptionists, shop assistants, and estate agents. Another found themselves reaching for it more often than any other bottle in an extensive collection.

On the other side, critics call it another ambroxan bottled as niche perfume with ubiquitous base notes. Some find it weak enough to not even consider at Le Labo's price point. The comparison to Juliette Has a Gun's Not a Perfume and Escentric Molecules' Molecule 02 appears frequently, with critics arguing those alternatives deliver a similar experience at lower cost.

Who Should Buy This

Another 13 is for the fragrance wearer who values subtlety, who wants others to lean in and wonder what that beautiful smell is rather than announcing their presence from across the room. If you appreciate the concept of a skin scent, if you enjoy minimalist aesthetics, and if the idea of a fragrance that becomes uniquely yours through skin chemistry appeals to you, this is worth exploring.

Avoid this if you need to smell your own fragrance throughout the day for personal satisfaction. If strong projection matters to you, if you find the idea of paying premium prices for synthetic molecules frustrating, or if you prefer complex, evolving compositions, Another 13 will likely disappoint.

The Bottom Line

Le Labo Another 13 is a genuinely unique fragrance that creates an intimate, personal scent experience through molecular alchemy rather than traditional perfumery. It demands a leap of faith, both financially and olfactorily, and rewards believers with a hauntingly beautiful skin scent while leaving skeptics wondering what all the fuss is about.