I visited Victoria Leeds’ newest perfume shop Le Labo - and left with a new signature scent

No one was more excited than me when Le Labo announced its arrival in Victoria Quarter this September.

I was first introduced to the major retailer, which specialises in freshly hand-blended and personalised perfumes, a few years ago when I picked up a small bottle of its highly popular Santal 33.

The gender neutral perfume caught people’s attention everywhere I went, from Le Labo fans who knew it all too well to woody scent lovers.

While re-buying the scent online is always an option, shopping at one of its sites is an experience and I couldn't wait to get down there earlier this week to pick out a new perfume.

The debut 1500 sq ft Leeds boutique is spaced across four floors, with the first floor showcasing all the perfumes on offer as well as shampoos, conditioners, creams, lip balms, candles and much more.

There’s even an open artisanal laboratory where you can see fragrances being hand-blended.

Walking into the new store, I was greeted by warm members of staff who enthusiastically introduced the brand to me.

Despite only being open for six weeks, the knowledge they had of all notes in each product was unmatched and they encouraged me to try every one that caught my eye.

My taste in perfume has evolved over the years. Younger me had a preference for sweeter, floral scents and every time I come across one, I am reminded of her.

Now in my early 20s, I swing for fresh smelling scents that lean a little masculine.

It was no surprise to me that I liked Another 13, a clean and airy scent that is ideal for everyday use. It’s currently a popular choice, I’m told.

I didn’t expect to like Thé Noir 29 as much as I did. The musky scent has a unique composition of notes of fig, bay leaf and bergamot and even tobacco.

But after long consideration, I walked away with 50ml of Thé Matcha 26, another popular release from the company.

Incredibly fresh, almost like a garden with earthy undertones and some lighter notes, this perfume smells slightly different on skin as it does in the bottle. Running a little masculine, Thé Matcha 26 feels sophisticated and a perfect everyday wear.

I also took home a travel sized Another 13, which comes in a cool metal case for safety.

There’s no denying that Le Labo is a luxury - these two perfumes are priced at £170 and £58 respectively - and this can deter some.

But its prices are reflective of a few things. Firstly, the scents are truly one-of-a-kind as they’re freshly-blended and dupes are hard to come by.

Secondly, Le Labo works with a community of craftspeople from flower harvesters, local farmers, candle pourers, and perfumers, to create fragrances to order.

Each handcrafted perfume is complete with a personalised label including your name, the date and place of the formulation, as well as a message.

So it might not be a shop you frequent but it’s a shop well worth a visit, particularly for the gift-giving seasons. But be warned, like me, this visit might not be your last.

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