Beauty

Why Le Labo’s City Exclusive Scents Deserve a Spot in Your Perfume Collection

From Tokyo’s smoky woods to Paris’ refined vanilla, these City Exclusive scents capture the soul of a city in every spritz.

Le Labo's City Exclusive fragrance collection. PHOTO: Le Labo

Good perfumes make you smell good, but the best ones also make you feel something. Le Labo’s City Exclusive collection belongs firmly in the latter camp.

Every September, perfume collectors and industry insiders mark their calendars for the global release of these otherwise elusive scents. The concept is fairly simple: Each fragrance is tied to a city, available only there for most of the year. For 11 months, Gaiac 10 stays in Tokyo, Vanille 44 in Paris, Musc 25 in Los Angeles. But when September arrives, the borders lift, and the entire collection is unlocked worldwide.

More than novelty, each City Exclusive scent is designed to mirror the spirit of a place—its rhythm, its contrasts, its beauty. Gaiac 10 captures Tokyo’s meditative calm and modern edge. Vanille 44 reimagines Parisian chic through a grown-up lens. And this year’s newcomer, Osmanthus 19, takes inspiration from Kyoto’s fleeting blossoms, offering a lesson on impermanence and renewal in the form of fragrance.

Le Labo's City Exclusives feel like an antidote to the fragrance world's fleeting trends and quick hits. They ask you to slow down, reflect, and connect—not just with a scent, but with the story behind it.

Here are the ones worth seeking out:

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Le Labo City Exclusive fragrances. PHOTO: Le Labo

Le Labo City Exclusive Scents Worth Trying

Best for: quiet reflections
  1. Osmanthus 19 (Kyoto)

Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Osmanthus 19 (Kyoto). PHOTO: Le Labo
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Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Osmanthus 19 (Kyoto). PHOTO: Le Labo.

The newest member of the City Exclusive family, Osmanthus 19 centers on the apricot-like sweetness of the osmanthus flower, layered with resin and incense. On skin, it unfolds gently—floral at first, then deepening into something more meditative. It feels contemplative and refined, the kind of scent you reach for when you want calm to carry through the day. Think of it as Kyoto in a bottle: fleeting beauty balanced with timeless wisdom.

Best for: evenings out
  1. Gaiac 10 (Tokyo)

Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Gaiac 10 (Tokyo). PHOTO: Le Labo
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Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Gaiac 10 (Tokyo). PHOTO: Le Labo.

Smoky gaiac wood softened by hints of citrus creates a fragrance that’s equal parts clean and mysterious. It lingers like incense in the background, quietly commanding attention. Gaiac 10 feels polished yet intimate—perfect for evenings, or for days when you want a scent that speaks volumes without ever being loud. It captures Tokyo’s duality: serenity within the chaos.

Best for: humid weather
  1. Cedrat 37 (Berlin)

Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Cedrat 37 (Berlin). PHOTO: Le Labo
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Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Cedrat 37 (Berlin). PHOTO: Le Labo.

One of the most wearable scents in the line, Cedrat 37 is a sparkling mix of citrus and ginger. It’s zesty, bright, and a little sharp—like an instant energy boost. In Manila’s heat, it feels refreshing as a perfect daily driver. If Gaiac 10 is contemplative, Cedrat 37 is kinetic: a fragrance that jolts you awake and keeps you moving.

Best for: an intimate setting
  1. Vanille 44 (Paris)

Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Vanille 44 (Paris). PHOTO: Le Labo
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Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Vanille 44 (Paris). PHOTO: Le Labo.

Forget gourmand vanilla. Vanille 44 is richer, smokier, and more elegant, layering the warmth of vanilla with woods and incense. On the skin, it’s soft and enveloping, like a cashmere sweater in fragrance form. It’s sensual, understated, and truly intimate. If Paris is the city of quiet luxury, Vanille 44 is its olfactory equivalent.

Best for: finding calm, slowing down
  1. Mousse de Chêne 30 (Amsterdam)

Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Mousse de Chêne 30 (Amsterdam). PHOTO: Le Labo
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Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Mousse de Chêne 30 (Amsterdam). PHOTO: Le Labo.

Earthy oak moss and patchouli give this fragrance a deep, green character. It smells like damp forests and moss-covered stone, evoking Amsterdam’s canals and rain-soaked streets. Wearing it feels grounding, almost ritualistic, like a reminder to stay rooted in the present. While it’s not a crowd-pleaser, those who appreciate subtle, contemplative scents will find it unforgettable.

Best for: everyday signature
  1. Musc 25 (Los Angeles)

Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Musc 25 (Los Angeles). PHOTO: Le Labo
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Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Musc 25 (Los Angeles). PHOTO: Le Labo.

Clean musk softened by woods, Musc 25 is luminous and skin-like, just like how LA is about living with ease. It makes you smell like the best version of yourself—sun-warmed, relaxed, magnetic without trying too hard. A versatile daily scent.

Best for: bold statements
  1. Poivre 23 (London)

Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Poivre 23 (London). PHOTO: Le Labo
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Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Poivre 23 (London). PHOTO: Le Labo.

Spicy and peppery with a warm amber base, Poivre 23 is dramatic and unforgettable. It’s London in fragrance form—dark, edgy, a little mysterious. Best for nights when you want to stand out.

Best for: modern minimalists
  1. Aldehyde 44 (Dallas)

A rare aldehydic fragrance, Aldehyde 44 smells crisp, clean, and futuristic—like freshly ironed linen with a subtle metallic sheen. It feels almost architectural, making it the choice for those who prefer their perfumes understated yet razor-sharp.

Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Aldehyde 44 (Dallas). PHOTO: Le Labo
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Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Aldehyde 44 (Dallas). PHOTO: Le Labo.
Best for: mood lifting
  1. Bigarade 18 (Hong Kong)

Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Bigarade 18 (Hong Kong). PHOTO: Le Labo
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Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Bigarade 18 (Hong Kong). PHOTO: Le Labo.

A bright citrus blend of bitter orange and bergamot, Bigarade 18 is sparkling and clean. It’s the fragrance equivalent of switching on sunlight. Ideal for mornings, workdays, or whenever you need energy.

Best for: weekends
  1. Limette 37 (San Francisco)

Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Limette 37 (San Francisco). PHOTO: Le Labo
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Le Labo City Exclusive fragrance: Limette 37 (San Francisco). PHOTO: Le Labo.

Fresh lime with a green bite, Limette 37 smells juicy and crisp before softening into something clean and wearable. It feels playful and casual, perfect for off-duty weekends or brunch outdoors.

For fragrance lovers in the Philippines, the Le Labo City Exclusive collection will be available from September 1 to 30, 2025 at Le Labo’s boutiques in Greenbelt 5 and SM Mall of Asia. After that, each scent returns to its home city, making this month-long window the only chance to explore and collect them locally.

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