Cuir 28 Dubai

I tried every single perfume from the City Exclusive line. The conclusion is that Cuir 28 worths the splurge the most. There are many pleasant scents from this line, but if a same bottle costs twice as much as one from the regular line, the scent must be unforgettable. Its character must be as strong as an alien. When the spritz comes out from the nozzle, there is a storyline developing in the air. This is a vegetal leather. Maybe sofa on a spacecraft smells like this. Maybe a streamlined leather bodysuit that recycles vapor into water smells like this. There is something oddly satisfying out from 28 ingredients. I typically don't wear leather fragrances but this one is an exception. If I was an oil tycoon I'll put 10 bottles of this in each of my residence.

Whew, this is a beast and I love it. I have about 1/4 of Le Labo's scents (Baie, The Noir, Santal, Rose, etc.), so when I saw Cuir I knew I had to have it - especially since 'cuir' translates to 'leather' in English. I lean toward leather, tobacco, and woody unisex scents in general, so this was an easy buy for me. That said, be very careful with this scent. It projects strongly and can overwhelm you and everyone surrounding you if you're not careful. I have the large bottle and will most likely use this bottle for the rest of my life. It's best described as a deep, intensely smokey fireside scent that's best for winter months. Grab a bottle if you can find it!

I thought I wasn't going to like this since it is a leather-based scent and it garnered negative-to-mediocre reviews on here. But it's actually very nice. Beefy, thick leather and a pleasant cord of vanilla. The vetiver, woods, and musk smooth this out. It ends up being meaty, but pleasant. I really enjoy it. Perfect for fall and winter. Perfectly acceptable for either a man or a woman to wear. Not like Knize Ten by Knize. Not even like Tom Ford Ombre Leather 2018, which smells like the inside of a car. This is much more wearable and approachable. A gem. 10/11/2019 - Got a compliment on this today from my barista.

So delightfully strong and gorgeous. Leather straps warming next to a campfire. Definitely a colder weather scent and a signature scent. Might be too potent for some but I love it!

Such an unusual leather, mimics the smell of someone's sweaty under arms!

The Middle East... a land of magic, fantasy, opulence... and very weird perfumes. I can’t even begin to imagine what they’re trying to cover with these scents, but whenever a fragrance has body-odor as an opening note you should really be concerned of who’s wearing it. Now, don’t get me wrong... this is not a horrible fragrance... it’s just that it has very strange accords, specially in the opening. This is foremost a Leather fragrance... but it’s not the usual Tom Ford accord nor the softened Chanel version... it’s rather a strident and sharper note that doesn’t seem to fit in any of the existing categories... and yes, when accords have been played out that much bringing something new to the table could be considered as genius... but that’s only if the scent actually works, unfortunately, that’s not the case here... this accord is neither good nor bad, neither here nor there... it’s just strange and dirty... ...and then the Vetiver arrives... this is not a particularly great one... just dry and smoky... helping in no way whatsoever... There’s also some Musk in it, animalic and delicious... it melts together with the Vanilla enveloping the whole fragrance in a very likable aura... unfortunately, this part comes two or three hours after spraying, and to get there you have to endure the truly weird “undeclared” notes that plague the opening... Speaking about the opening... the first accord you’ll smell is the very weird leather, which is made worse by incorporating the dry and smoky vetiver... but a few minutes later be prepared to get hit by a “body-odor” accord which most likely comes from an undisclosed citrus note, probably grapefruit or bergamot... and finally you enter a cheap cannabis tea festival. For the next couple of hours you’ll find yourself witnessing a tug-o-war of scents... with the dry leather on one side and the cannabis tea on the other... this pair of scents will fight it out for two or three hours with no real winner... until finally, the leather and the cannabis decide to stop fighting and settle inside the musky/vanilla envelope... which again, is the best part... but why wait for so long to get there? why should you endure such a weird opening? If it’s leather you want, there are a million better options... or if it’s the musky/citrusy/vanilla combo you’re craving for, you can go directly to Tonka 25, also from Le Labo... either way, you can completely bypass the weird leather vs cannabis fight... unless that’s what your actually going for... And again... this is not a horrible perfume... maybe just a bit of an acquired taste... Performance wise... projection is moderate, and longevity is around 8 to 10 hours. It’s unisex, but mainly from being unable to pinpoint an exact category for its main ingredient, the leather... it’s not soft, but it’s not manly either... it’s just weird... Very strange, synthetic, dry, leather/cannabis fragrance with a musky vanillic drydown... definitely not a recommend blind buy.

Cuir 28. Where do I begin. Where *can* I begin? This scent is nothing if not an acquired taste, and its leather is from a horse of another color. It's like being hazed into a fraternity of unadulterated leather, wood, and locker room musk. Just like that saying about martinis, one spray is alright, two is too many, and three is not enough. When I first sprayed this, the air reeked of body odor. Like someone else described it, armpit odor through a leather jacket. Perplexed, scared and confused, I had to know what this could smell like on my skin. Then, I realized its primal urges and raw animal magnetism oddly worked with my skin's chemistry. Having never smelled anything like it, before or since, I purchased a small bottle. I have worn it all of three times since then. Because you shouldn't be mistaken. This is not a fragrance for the meek or the easygoing. Simultaneously musky and musty, it smells like what I'd imagine an old western might. Then, while seated at the only bar in town, you hear the splintering of wood, as this scent puts on its leather chaps and kicks down the wooden door to establish dominance before beating everyone's olfactory senses into submission. There's a time and a place to wear this scent, but it certainly isn't to work, to church or to a first date. At its most romantic, Cuir 28 smells like tanned leather hides against a crackling fire under the western sky. At its most down and dirty, it reeks of bourbon and sweaty man-on-man action in an 80s gay leather bar. I could (and have) worn this while descending into the bowels of The Eagle in NYC's Chelsea district. If you're unaffiliated with that bar or this scent, well, perhaps that's for the best. In five words or less: Tom of Finland, bottled.

Le Labo Cuir 28 Dubai is mostly refined, semi-dirty, dark leather fragrance that is among the strongest EDP members in the city exclusive line in terms of quality and power of the juice, alongside Poivre 23 London. Cuir 28 is, unsurprisingly, comprised mostly of leather. I get almost a dirty tar vibe out of it, with something slightly sweet to prevent it from getting dirty and earthy in a patchouli way. Still, I'd argue that this is far more to the dirty side than the sweet side, just not wholly committed to dirty. In that respect, it's a little less refined than Tom Ford Tuscan Leather, which I regard as more inviting. I generally don't opt for leather fragrances, but Cuir 28, (like Tuscan Leather or Coach Leatherware No. 3), is one I could wear, and wear often. Unfortunately, the cost is prohibitive at $290 per 50ml, as with the rest of the city exclusive line. I'll at least defend Cuir 28 in that it has the projection, longevity, and utility to make it more worthwhile than some of the city exclusive line, but it's still almost inaccessible at that price point, specifically when, at $70 cheaper, Tom Ford Tuscan Leather largely accomplishes the same feat. Granted, no one should quibble over price at that point--they should simply get what they want. 7 out of 10

To me, this a a smokier/leathery version of Sycomore. It also resembles Vetiver 46 and actually quite close to the Vetiver 46 shower gel, with a bunch of iso-e super or synthetic molecules for vetiver (like in Molecule 04). The opening is leather, but more of a grilled leather (if you know what I mean, but nothing like the barbeque in Patchouli 24!!) which dissipates within 30 minutes and you are back to Sycomore. I can't really comment on Sycomore EdT which was considered to be a smokier version of current EdP, perhaps they are closer in that manner? Having said that, the scent doesn't remind me of Dubai, so I didn't really get the inspiration? Get your nose on it in September when city exclusives are open for sale.

Smells like tannic leather and smoked wood. It's largely unsweetened, and there's a certain sharpness that comes from the tannic leather accord, but surprisingly I don't find it bitter or sour. If anything, there's a bit of a dryly-salty undertone to it. As it dries down, I get a bit of subtle earthiness, too—a note like soft potter's clay, smooth and dense. I find Cuir 28 a captivating combination of sharp and smooth, edgy and supple. It's a protagonist on a dark character arc. It's Need A Friend by EL VY and Eat Your Young by Hozier. It's a tree struck by lightning in the woods behind the tannery.

To me it's primarily vetiver with some dark leather. It goes on animalic, a little deep green, and a little oily smelling, and the reviewer who noted cannabis is spot on. My first thoughts on spraying were "skunk!" and "body odor!". It's pretty potent and very linear and glad I only sprayed my pinky since this is the kind of scent that would wear me out. I can appreciate it but not something I'd be comfortable wearing.

This one is a very unique scent. To me it smells like a campfire.... very smokey and masculine. After the dry down it smells like a salty, smokey, piece of leather with a hint of vanilla. And this works! IMO, this is a bit too niche as a daily wearer but a very distinct option to have in the rotation. I'd give it a 7.5/10 as the notes are not my personal favorites but it is very distinct and well made.

From initial sampling: Cuir 28 is a Dirty leather scent. The first 30-40 minutes, I feel a strong odour of fresh asphalt (fresh pavement). Not pleasant at all, unless you are into garage smells. Very strong on Iso-e super afterwards. NOT my favorite leather. NOT pleasant...especially for the price.

The dry-down is exactly like Encre Noir L'Extreme! It's not surprising given that it's made by the same perfumer. The opening notes and the early stages of this fragrance is different, however. The smokey vetiver base is apparent throughout. Still, an interesting scent that I love wearing.

Well balanced campfire accord with slight sweetness in the base. Potentially mildly challenging to some but non-offensive if sprays are kept to a minimum. Sits close to the skin and doesn’t project obnoxiously, which favors this type of scent profile

This is a very rich, deep leather scent with a smoky-vetiver note that resembles Jovoy's Incident Diplomatique or Private Label. I agree with the reviewer below me that this is a stand out from the City Exclusives line - ultimately still overpriced.

Absolute badass beauty. A cousin to Tabac 28. Whiskey over leather shoes, left out to dry down on the middle eastern heat. Bold and full of character, a great take on leather. Addictive stuff.

I like this scent, especially on dry down. It might be a bit harsh for the first couple of hours, but it dries down to a nice, unique vanilla, leathery scent.

Smells like it could be an Encre Noir flanker

I have never been to Dubai, nor have I much experience with middle eastern perfumes. I struggle with oud, deep leathers and animalic scents, so I did not have high hopes for this one. Alas, I ended up with a sample, and I have to admit that... It is fine? There is obviously a lot of leather, and the vetiver is shining through. To my nose it is almost more wood than leather here, like a very smoky woodiness. Even though the scent is strong and dominating it is also slightly sweet and the musk gives it an almost guaiac like vibe. I sniff it once and think to myself that nah, I don’t really like it, but in the next inhale I have to breathe it deep into my lungs because it is mesmerizing in a way I can’t describe. The driest of dry wood is reminding me of something, and the leather is dark and warm. I think the vibe for this is a black leather coach where someone have been smoking cigarettes after having a long walk in a deep dark damp forest. For me personally this is way too masculine, but I kind of wish I could pull it off?

Campfire Smokey leather. I can detect the vetiver pretty strongly, my wife detects more of the smoke. I get a animalic musk, not the signature clean Le Labo musk, and although vanilla is listed I don’t get any, nor do I get any sweetness. Not sure I’d classify this as middle eastern but many of the city exclusives are unique takes / perspectives on the cities. If you like that smoky dark vetiver aspect, you may like this- probably the most rugged leathery scent I’ve smelled in some time. Haven’t really smelled many things similar, not my cup of tea, but I can see someone loving this for what it is. Pretty masculine, nothing feminine about it, but anyone can where anything at anytime- so take that for what you will.

Before testing this, I have been warned that Cuir 28 would not be an easy-going one. Yet, the reality hit me real hard from first sniff. The smell of, rather than birch tar, burnt plastic just spin me like crazy. I've never been in such a confused state as before - the very thin line between psycho and wildness could be broken and entangled anytime. A perfect luring from a hint of vanilla note, just to drag you into depravation. You don't want to mess up, you need to be sober and wearing an appropriate outfit in order to approach and enjoy Cuir 28 completely.

Smells just like one of those smoky vetiver oils. Yes its leathery, but that texture comes from the vetiver oil. So if smoky vetiver is not your thing, stay away from this! If you can tolerate it, you will likely find this boring.

gasoline opening, but that stays. i agree with the burnt plastic, tar, and shoe polish. leather also & chemical plant smell. it's very cutting and smoky. interesting, but it's a love it or hate it, and i hate it.

Cuir 28 lacks any uniqueness or complexity. I get nothing animalic or oriental.I personally find off-putting, musty, dull, and like a sour stinky foot odor. Smells more like sticking your nose in the damp insoles of a sweaty old loafer than a leather jacket or bag. Ultimately, I regret sampling this, though I’m glad to have confirmed this scent profile is certainly not for me. Had to wash it off. If you’re struggling to find Cuir 28 for sale, just get Soul of My Soul by Etat Libre d’Orange because it’s practically identical.

BACKGROUND: I just got the 2015 sample set of the exclusives from LuckyScent and will wear one a day with a review for each - from a male perspective. Today I'm wearing Cuir 28 to the office. SCENT: Good lord - the comparison-fest continues on this exclusives line. Well, in the case of Cuir 28 I just can't ignore or avoid a comparison to two of my favourites - Encre Noire and Bois d'Ascese. This is a raunchier EN, finished with the motor oil and burning rubber of Bd'A - surely a winning combination. One female colleague said 'I love it, but it's not as good as Moscow (Benjoin 19)'. So there you go. OFFICE READY? I got uncommitted compliments and a few impressed quizzical stares as I walked in and colleagues tried to work out if this was a review scent or one I'd worn before. The sillage is moderate - on projection it takes up a bit more of the cashmere wood and ink vibe of EN after it dries down, but nose-on-skin you get a warm and distinct rubber/leather and smoke that makes this a tad more on the masculine end of the spectrum. NIGHT OUT READY? Um, let's see - raunchy? check. dark? check? will last all night? check. BETTER THAN THE REGULARS? It's equal to the best of the Le Labo regular line. It's a quality fragrance and a great alternative to Patch 24 or Vetiver 46 for those into their darker woods. WORTH THE $440 (AU $600)? Well, like I said - why not spritz a bit of the Naomi Goodsir then top-layer it with the Lalique and save your premium dollar for something you can't recreate? WORTH $240? Sure, I think it's worth inclusion on the regular line at the regular price point. This is a great leather scent - it's not as good a leather as Santal 33, but to be fair, it's a very different take anyway. I would consider buying it at $240. HIGHLIGHTS: I've already said it all - to me, this is a gentle, moderate sillage marriage of two of my favourite scents. It's well composed, has good longevity and is versatile for work or play.

I had hoped for “something different” from the hard-to-find “Cuir 28,” one of Le Labo’s restricted-distribution perfumes. I doubt I will ever go to Dubai; I like leathers, especially sweet leathers; so I got some “Cuir 28” samples during a special promotional event. Alas, “Cuir 28” (In a Freudian slip, I keep wanting to call it "Cuir 18.") turned out to be like a rejected vial from early in the “Vetiver 42” creation process: a stripped-down outtake. In it, essentially, a vetiver accord fades to boring vanilla. I would not use the word “leather” to describe any aspect of it. There are some dry-woody/fake-oudy aromachemicals also present, which at least provide a minimal accompaniment to the vanilla accord in the drydown, which might otherwise be excruciatingly banal, but overall, the word that best describes “Cuir 18” is “dull, unimaginative, quotidian, and absolutely uninteresting.” It lacks the delicious vibrancy of its relative “Vetiver 42,” and has none of the cheek of “Oud 27.” To be sure: “Cuir 18” (There I go.) does not smell affirmatively “bad” in the usual sense; however, it adds nothing whatsoever to the existing universe of perfumes. It is common in conception, perfunctory in execution. Like a tedious uncle at a holiday gathering, who becomes ever more annoying by providing no articulable basis for disliking him, “Cuir 28” is so safe and bland that it ends by being repulsive. Every time I wore it, I wished its longevity was worse. That a perfume company would deliberately attempt to make something so mundane into a hard-to-find commodity, at least shows a sense of humor. I’ll give Le Labo that much. My score: 3.5/10

Some things that come to mind- a sour, piney-citrus kind of sharpness, warm, humid sweat, and a cedar note that's very similar across Le Labo scents but most noticeable in Tonka 25. Overall it's a dry, radiant woodiness that is pushed more balsamic and slightly animalic. Within that is a leather material that feels dosed almost conservatively- bringing just enough of a convincing acrid "chemical" aroma to imagine a slick, polished leather coming out of it's bath of acids. Still, it's mild in that regard. Nothing super smoky or rough and tarry and textured. In the air it does kinda remind me of certain stages in Encre Noire a L'extreme, but it never reaches that cacophony of resins that make you think of christmas incense or rooty, damp basements and forest floors. Instead it's a smaller, tart pang of resins against a more liquid and silver vetiver. (Maybe closer to Sycomore, now that I have a sample again) Someone mentioned a cannabis note below and I agree with that- ambery, resinous, chemical vetiver-leather with a slick, polished texture. I'm torn on whether it's all that impressive because it doesn't evolve into anything more complex than that, but I do enjoy it. Projection/sillage is great too. On the spectrum of bold leathers I'd put this as rather tame, but that signature Le Labo animalic hue gives it an attitude.

I've learned that when it comes to Le Labo, I have to keep my expectations very low so that, sporadically, they could still possibly impress me with some of their fragrances. I approached Cuir 28 (their city exclusive for Dubai) without reading any of the notes provided by the brand so I actually didn't know what to expect. Well, it comes out that Cuir 28 is basically a leathery / synth woody, ambroxan prominent balmy thing that's kind of a mash up between Vetiver 46, Dirty English by Juicy Couture and Gucci Pour Homme I (Tom Ford era) with an extra dose of birch tar, some of the smoky vanilla already found in Patchouli 24 and an overall balmy vibe that's not so distant from certain aspects of Poivre 23. A solid (and extremely common) accord that while smelling pretty nice adds absolutely nothing new to the table. Offensivley overpriced. Rating: 6.5/10

Patchouli was my first Le Labo encounter, quickly followed by Oud - both of which I wear regularly. I've always longed after the city exclusives waiting for the bi-annual 6 weeks when they become world wide. God knows why? Cuir is an an inoffensive, gentle, clean leather which fades gently over the course of a few hours to an average cologne. On my skin I smell leather, vanilla and white musk. The only thing that happens is the leather fades and the musk/vanilla soldier on forlornly. No dryness, no vetiver whatsoever. A disappointment and as one reviewer has already stated dull. It's a wallflower fragrance, unlike Oud and Patchouli, and not what I'd expect for a) the Le Labo brand and b) the price. I'll stick to tabac blonde and bandit thanks!

Wow, I thought maybe people were exaggerating but this is definitely not for the faint of heart. Very dry, chemical-smelling vetiver/leather scent. I am not a big vetiver person and I am also not a fan of what I call “shoe-polish” leather scents so this was never going to be something I was gonna get on with. Definitely smells better at a distance, up close it’ll singe your nose hairs...phew! From some of the reviews, I wonder if this has been reformulated at some point? Nothing mild or easily wearable about Cuir 28. Unless I’m just hyperosmic to something in it, it’s an insane synthetic woody/vetiver/leather of unholy strength.

Oiled Leather, Greased Mechanic. Cuir 28 isn't the leather I'm most fond of, but it is evocative of a specific kind of scent memory. This is a practical leather that's well worn and oiled, a worn in motorcycle jacket, a creased car seat. There's a sourness here that is almost chemical; I get the connection to gasoline or petrol. An image of a mechanic covered in grease comes to mind, someone used to getting dirty to get a job done. There's something comforting to that, as much as it isn't your typical warm or comforting leather.

Lord above the opening is divine. Probably the best leather opening I have ever experienced, save vintage Tuscan Leather. Is this a clone of Encre Noire Extreme? I guess in some aspects, but not really. It’s like if you made a more extreme, niche version of that fragrance and took the emphasis away from the vetiver and cumin and put the emphasis on leather. God I love this. One of the few City Exclusives that is possibly worth the price. If you like Encre Noire and the work of Nathalie Lorson, this will be your holy grail

I feel like I maybe got an off batch. I smell mostly vanilla and an almost tobacco/whiskey accord. Sort of like By the Fireplace if you removed the chestnut and made the vanilla smell less gourmand. Honestly my bottle of Cuir smells very very similar to Lattafa's By the Fireplace clone. I'm not getting any leather, which you better believe I was hoping for in buying a perfume named only "Cuir". Perhaps with oxidation/maceration this shall change, but so far it is disappointing.

A smoky birch tar induced leather w an earthy vetiver base. It also has a medley of woods as well and the overall composition is dry and semi sweet. I fell in love w this years ago but the only downside is finding an occasion to wear it. I only reach for it on cold snowy days while walking around NYC. I think it’s a totally underrated gem and my second fav from the exclusives next to Gaiac 10. 9 out of 10 with great overall performance.

If you like animalic leather scents, this one is for you. I personally don't like it at all, but I couldn't stop smelling it to figure it out. It smells like a medicine cabinet and leather to me with a very very faint sweetness. I would be very put off by this if someone was in my space wearing it, but there is also something that keeps drawing me in.

A very medicinal and dry perfume. Not a scent to wear to work, to a date, to school, to the gym, to an important meeting, to hold a baby, but may be good for a walk in the woods or a leather bar, or sitting alone by a window watching the sun scorch the desert. Imagine Patchouli 24 without the sweetness but a stern face.

I guess I must be anosmic to this one as I can hardly smell it. Just a very faint bland odour, Repeated sniffing can sometimes "educate" one's nose to the scent, and insofar as this has been successful I would say the fragrance is not dissimilar to Serge Lutens' Miel du Bois

Scent - cannabis, leather & vetiver musk. Season/Time of Day - I prefer to use this one in the warmer months, during the day. Projection - I did get noticed, it garners compliments. Longevity - I get 24hrs consistently. #11

I’m not a fan of leather frags, so I was cautious with this. I found it to be pleasant and surprisingly easy to wear. It had some nice radiance and I got a leather tone, not nothing confronting.

beef jerky/leather chypre, staying power and moderate sillage, interesting if you are into leather..smells of chemicals..overpriced to add some kind of allure...

Disgusting. Like if your penis caught on fire. Absolutely no place you could wear this.

Armpit odor through a black leather jacket. Couldn't care less about the drydown.