DRIFT

 


Le Labo has built a reputation for crafting unique, hand-blended scents that resonate deeply with personal experiences and emotions. Their latest release, EUCALYPTUS 20, is no exception. As part of their Classic Collection, this fragrance is inspired by the concept of getting lost to find one’s way, a poetic exploration of wandering, discovery, and the beauty of the unexpected.

The scent takes its wearer to a vast, remote desert landscape, evoking the imagery of endless red sands beneath an endless sky. At the heart of this arid wilderness stands a lone eucalyptus tree, an oasis of life and refuge in an otherwise unyielding terrain. EUCALYPTUS 20 translates this vision into a bottle, capturing the contrast between cool, crisp eucalyptus and the warm, resinous depth of labdanum and musk. The result is a genderless, deeply evocative fragrance that speaks to adventure, solitude, and self-discovery.

A Journey Through Scent: The Composition of EUCALYPTUS 20

Le Labo is known for minimalist yet complex fragrances, and EUCALYPTUS 20 is no exception. It brings together a striking balance of freshness and warmth, making it an incredibly versatile scent. Let’s break down its composition:

Top Notes: The Initial Impression

The opening of EUCALYPTUS 20 is crisp, invigorating, and expansive, mimicking the sensation of taking a deep breath in an open, untamed landscape. The dominant note is, unsurprisingly, eucalyptus, known for its clean, cooling, and slightly medicinal aroma. It brings a breath of fresh air—sharp, green, and almost camphoraceous.

However, this is not the typical eucalyptus scent found in medicinal balms or household cleaning products. Instead, Le Labo softens and refines it, making it feel more like the natural essence of crushed eucalyptus leaves in the breeze rather than an overpowering burst of menthol.

The cedarwood in the opening complements the eucalyptus, lending a dry, slightly smoky woodiness that grounds the initial freshness. This interplay of green clarity and woody dryness sets the stage for a fragrance that evolves intriguingly over time.

Heart Notes: Where Warmth Meets Coolness

As the fragrance settles, its heart introduces labdanum, a note known for its deep, ambery, leathery warmth. This creates a stark but beautiful contrast with the cool brightness of the top notes. The transition from airy eucalyptus to resinous labdanum mirrors the experience of stepping from a cool desert night into the warmth of a sunlit day.

This stage of the fragrance also brings out subtle hints of aromatic spices and earthiness, though they remain understated. The contrast between fresh and warm, green and dry, light and shadow is what makes EUCALYPTUS 20 such a fascinating and well-rounded scent.

Base Notes: A Meditative Dry Down

As EUCALYPTUS 20 reaches its dry down, musk and incense emerge, adding a soft, enveloping finish. The incense brings a touch of smokiness, evoking the image of a small fire burning under the desert sky—mystical, meditative, and deeply grounding.

The musk, meanwhile, smooths out the composition, ensuring that the fragrance remains wearable and comforting rather than stark or overly challenging. This combination of musk and incense creates a lingering aura that feels both intimate and expansive, reinforcing the fragrance’s overarching theme of solitude and connection to nature.

EUCALYPTUS 20: Genderless, Timeless, and Unique

One of Le Labo’s defining characteristics is its commitment to genderless perfumery. EUCALYPTUS 20 embodies this philosophy perfectly. Its fresh, woody, and resinous profile makes it neither traditionally masculine nor overtly feminine.

•Those who appreciate clean, green fragrances will be drawn to its eucalyptus and cedarwood top notes.

•Fans of warm, resinous scents will love how the labdanum and musk add depth and longevity.

•People who enjoy meditative, incense-based fragrances will find a sense of tranquility in its smoky dry down.

This versatility makes EUCALYPTUS 20 suitable for day or night, hot or cool weather, and for those who love fragrances that defy traditional categories.

Le Labo’s Philosophy: Freshly Made, Sustainably Crafted

Beyond its compelling scent, EUCALYPTUS 20 also stays true to Le Labo’s artisanal and sustainable approach to fragrance-making.

•Each bottle is blended fresh to order, ensuring that the fragrance remains as pure and vibrant as possible.

•Every bottle is hand-labeled, allowing for a personalized message—a small but meaningful touch that makes Le Labo fragrances feel unique to their wearer.

•The brand encourages sustainability through its refill program, which offers a 20% discount on refills at select locations worldwide. This initiative reduces waste and reinforces Le Labo’s commitment to eco-conscious luxury.

How EUCALYPTUS 20 Stands Apart from Other Le Labo Fragrances

Le Labo has an impressive lineup of scents, each with a distinct personality. So how does EUCALYPTUS 20 compare to some of its classic and cult-favorite counterparts?

•Compared to SANTAL 33: While SANTAL 33 is creamy, woody, and leathery, EUCALYPTUS 20 is fresher, crisper, and more meditative. Those who find SANTAL 33 too heavy might appreciate the airy, cooling elements of EUCALYPTUS 20.

•Compared to ANOTHER 13: Both share a clean yet deep quality, but ANOTHER 13 leans more towards musky ambroxan, while EUCALYPTUS 20 has a more pronounced natural freshness.

•Compared to BAIE 19: BAIE 19 also explores a wet, green freshness, but EUCALYPTUS 20 is drier and warmer, evoking the scent of a desert rather than a rainy landscape.

This makes EUCALYPTUS 20 a unique addition to Le Labo’s lineup—one that offers an olfactory experience unlike anything else in their collection.

Final Thoughts: A Fragrance That Embodies Exploration

EUCALYPTUS 20 is more than just a scent—it’s an experience, a journey, and an invitation to embrace the unknown. Inspired by the vastness of a desert and the stillness of a lone tree, this fragrance captures the contrast between movement and stillness, crispness and warmth, solitude and connection.

Le Labo has once again crafted a masterpiece that speaks to both the wanderer and the dreamer, offering a scent that is as mysterious as it is comforting. Whether you’re a devoted fan of the brand or discovering it for the first time, EUCALYPTUS 20 is a fragrance worth exploring—because sometimes, getting lost is the best way to find yourself.

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