Coriandre 39 Mexico

I don’t keep up with the le labo world at all but knew vaguely that the city exclusives, usually shrouded in mystery for those who aren’t jet setters, are finally in store Aug-Sept for purchase - so the cost of my sample was quite a shock! I didn’t think twice though before picking up a little vial of this. Intoxicating on first smell, freshly chopped cilantro stems and a squeeze of lime sure but oddly I’m reminded of fresh plaster like in new construction, sort of chalky and earthy, I absolutely love this smell and have never thought it could be captured in the form of a perfume. I didn’t make this connection until after reading reviews on here but there’s a resemblance to fig perfumes as well (have to make the distinction because I have no idea what real figs smell like!), it’s the same sort of greeny effervescence as Prada’s infusion de figue for instance. Unfortunately the dry down (vague pleasant muskiness) is a total bore, which I wouldn’t mind but for the absurd price tag. I’d love a bottle but not with my budget - maybe as a souvenir years and years and years later if I ever make it to CDMX....I’ve always wanted to see Teotihuacan

New Le Labo Coriandre 39 has arrived and I thought I'd give my thoughts on it. Honestly I wasn't expecting to enjoy this one as I heard it being described as a herbal version of the matcha and I was not a fan of that release. This one on the other hand I enjoy a lot. I think anyone who enjoys herbal garden type scents will love this one. I wouldn't describe it purely as cilantro... Instead it kind of just feels like you're walking through a large herbal garden on a summer day. This is a super fresh scent. After getting blasted with green herbs in the opening it slowly starts revealing a hint of sweetness towards the dry down with a bit of lime and florals. This combination almost feels like sweetened black tea which is perhaps why people compared it to the matcha. Overall I think anyone can wear this fragrance. I really dislike cilantro in food and cooking and definitely was a bit worried before smelling it but in the end it feels like a super fresh, safe and pleasant summer green scent.

Tried to avoid smelling this like it was some sort of incubus of disease because city exclusives prices are criminal and I really love coriander fragrances like De Bachmakov and Diptyque’s Coriandre candle. But the universe has a way of messing with me and I ended up smelling it on my hairstylist and the dry down on him was lovely, too lovely for me to not try it on myself. Off to Le Labo I went after close to a decade of not being compelled by any of their newer creations. The opening is sensorial, powerful, almost too powerful lime and aldehydes then something pleasantly minty comes through giving way to that dry down of powder, green florals and musk. Delightful, I walked out of Le Labo with a small bottle. This reminds me of a softer, less harsh Green from Byredo, sadly discontinued (I think), with a very similar powdery green floral dry down which I love though the Le Lebo is more resilient.

It's unique! It smells like an artisanal cocktail made with tequila or gin. The opening is super aldehydic and fizzy - almost smells like opening a cold can of lime flavored seltzer water. It's also peppery and green. A tad soapy as well. I think I get a tiny bit of rose in the background. Reminds me a lot of Aqua Media Cologne Forte by Maison Francis Kurkdjian, though this one has a dressier, more nightime feel while remaining extremely fresh, sparkly, and green.

Herbal Thé Matcha is correct! The dry down is very similar to the creaminess of thé matcha, just add in some herbs. Not sure it’s worth the price, though. Will continue to sample and see.