Beauty

Enjoy a consultation at exclusive perfume emporium Le Labo in Edinburgh

A consultation at perfume emporium Le Labo

The treatment

A free consultation at the first branch in the UK, outside of London, of perfumer Le Labo, Edinburgh.

Why go?

You want a new perfume, but are not going to be satisfied by the latest Instagram endorsed and bubblegum-infused stinky high street number. Instead, try this upmarket brand, which has a tightly edited collection of unisex perfume, as well as a selection of home and body, hair and face products. It was set up by Edouard Roschi and Fabrice Penot, who opened their first shop in Nolita, New York, in 2006.

Our spy says

The problem with understated shop fronts is that people are going to just walk past. Indeed, I have schlepped along George Street many a time, without ever clocking this basement level boutique.

Still, neon signs and bright paint jobs wouldn’t fit in with Le Labo’s exclusive and understated vibe, as the speakeasy of perfume.

Their aesthetic is also based on the principles of the Japanese art of wabi-sabi (acceptance of transience and imperfection), which, in this case, translates as vintage and locally sourced furniture, distressed paint and white tiles.

Unlike the department store experience, you’re not going to be overwhelmed with choice, since there are only 16 fragrances.

They’re lined up on an antique bureau, and I’m asked what notes I like. It’s safe to say, I’m like a fragrance Mormon, in that I have many wives. A few of my favourite whiffs include neroli, jasmine, orange blossom, rose and fig, though I also like a bit of manly smokiness, from leather absolute or patchouli.

You’d think I’d be really into Le Labo’s Jasmine 17 (each perfume has a number that corresponds to the amount of ingredients in it), which also features musk, sandalwood and vanilla. And I am, it’s undeniably gorgeous, but not quite me, as I find, when I spritz it onto my wrist. I really love the freshness of Bergamot 22, also with amber, vetiver and musk, among other things, and Patchouli 24 is so comforting, also with vanilla and birch.

However, I keep coming back to The Noir 29, maybe because I love a cuppa and it features black tea, bergamot, fig and bay. I could drink it. Also, Santal 33 (£125 for 50ml) is quite magnificent. This woody aromatic is probably Le Labo’s most popular fragrance, and is very distinctive, thanks to sandalwood, cardamom, violet, iris and ambrox.

They make up the perfumes on demand, in their little lab at the back of the shop, and I watch Santal 33 being weighed, stirred, mixed and decanted into its bottle (which is recyclable, and you can get 20 per cent off your next purchase if you get it refilled).

The labels are printed with your name, or choice of message, as is the box.

The results

I am packed off, feeling quite special and in-the-know, with my new fragrance. Perhaps now, when it comes to perfume, I am ready to be monogamous. n

Le Labo, 46a George Street, Edinburgh (www.lelabofragrances.com)