It was the summer of 2011, and I was fulfilling my dreams of experiencing the quintessential California music festival—not the round sunglasses, maxi skirts and dirty hair dream I envisioned at 15 but as an active-duty Marine on Coachella Music Festival security detail. I was a sweaty road guard getting sunburnt in a polo shirt and khaki shorts. The weekend had a lot of smells, mostly ganja from Wiz Khalifa's set but I digress, I'm talking about Le Labo's Rose 31. Rose and warm cumin, with cedar and vetiver and a wood/musk base make a potent, comforting yet daring unisex combination. Trailing the scent, was Harley Viera-Newton, one of my main woman crushes of the time via Nylon magazine days I can only assume. It was my new favorite scent and I had yet to meet it in person.
Years later when I moved to LA, I quickly saw that Le Labo is inescapable in this city. I moved in Steph who had Rose 31 (formally introduced!) everything. I found out Santal 33 might as well be another name for night out in West Hollywood. Now, and especially because of the sampler set, I've fallen for many pungent vials since—Oud 27 and Vetiver 46, recently. My current day scent is the Bergamote 22 (those numbers are the amount of ingredients). It's a refreshing but affirmative combination of amber, musk, vetiver, grapefruit, cedar and vanilla.
Le Labo just announced the launch of their (massive) skincare line. Although I keep a simple organic routine (should I journal about it? let me know), the line’s base ingredients are plant sourced and as the brand explains it, synthetic ingredients are used when it’s not environmentally conscious to use organic alternatives. I picked up the Hinoki and Sea Buckthorn hand wash which smells great for a long time and doesn't dry out hands. Also, I've tried the basil and sesame shower gel, hinoki macadamia shampoo and hinoki avocado conditioner set. I cut shampoo and conditioner from my routine earlier this year so the set is used as a treat for whenever guests are in town.
So come visit, fam.
Yes, that is a bamboo squatty potty in the second image. I highly recommend getting one.
