Le Labo on Newbury Street is a small, basement-level store that offers a unique fragrance experience, with a focus on handcrafted products. The store's interior can seem a bit chaotic, with boxes strewn around, and the atmosphere is quiet and not crowded. Visitors often find the staff to be knowledgeable and helpful, especially one associate who shared helpful tips and made the experience pleasant. Customers appreciate the ability to see their orders being hand-crafted, which adds to the charm of the store, especially for those with a background in chemistry or a keen interest in fragrances.
However, some reviews mention less favorable experiences. A few customers found the staff unfriendly and unhelpful, with one describing a dismissive attitude when testing fragrances and questioning the product's longevity. There are also concerns about the testing process; blotters used for sampling sometimes appeared to be sprayed beforehand, leading to confusion about scent development and longevity. Some customers feel that the fragrances are overpriced and lack staying power, with specific scents like Santal 33 being considered overrated.
Additionally, issues with product consistency were reported. One customer purchased a perfume that smelled significantly different from the tester, with the store later explaining the scent needs time to settle, which was unsatisfactory for the customer. Despite some positive experiences, such as personalized service and product craftsmanship, the inconsistent quality and perceived high prices have led some to question the value of Le Labo's offerings. Overall, Le Labo on Newbury Street provides a memorable, handcrafted fragrance experience but may not meet everyone's expectations regarding customer service, product consistency, or value.
Stefan is such an amazing employee and kind person, they were so helpful and knowledgeable about all the products. I left very happy with my purchases and will definitely come again :)
July 2026
Shout out Stefon for helping us! Super kind and helpful in our discovery of our favorite Le Labo scents.
April 2026
Stephan was absolutely fantastic. Helped me find my scent and was extremely personable!!