As you walk into Le Labo prepare yourself for a sensory overload of nasal proportions. The hardwood flooring, aluminum tables, Gary Jules music, white tiled bar and vintage bar stools welcome you in to begin a scent exploration, learning about the art of perfume making.

The perfumerie boasts 10 staple fragrances (Fleur d'oranger 27 or Ambrette 9 for example) that have been created by master chemists and perfumers; each an individual work of art. The name of the fragrance comes from the main ingredient and the number that follows is the total amount of notes used in the creation of the perfume.

Heather, Le Labo's LA fragrance master, will take your nose on a journey as you smell the perfumes as well as the essential oil notes that make up that specific fragrance. The 100 most commonly used essential oils line the walls, so you'll be able to smell the iris root, patchouli, and oak moss that make up the Iris 39.

The beauty of Le Labo is that their feminine, masculine and unisex fragrances aren't just waiting on a shelf for you to take home. Each perfume is made to order and is freshly compounded on site. Like wine, the scent continues to grow after it has been freshly created but also has an expiration date, which is noted on the prescription style label on the perfume.

Before you begin your weekend, take some time to enjoy the playground for your nose at Le Labo. You will dream about fig, clove and black currant in a way you've never thought before.

THE DETAILS: Le Labo
8385 West 3rd Street
Los Angeles, CA 90048
323.782.0411
www.lelabofragrances.com

Story by Marisa Lynch.

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