Review: Le Labo Coriandre 39 – A Journey to Mexico City
With Le Labo, scent transcends mere fragrance and becomes an evocative sensory journey and the brand stands as a paragon of innovation. Their latest release, Coriandre 39, is no exception. This fragrance, a new addition to the brand’s highly coveted City Exclusive collection, is a love letter to Mexico City—a place where vibrant history and modern energy coexist in harmony. As the calendar turns to September, the arrival of Le Labo’s City Exclusives becomes a much-anticipated event for fragrance aficionados, and this year, Coriandre 39 takes centre stage. We received fragrance and have put it through it’s paces to see if it’s for us.
Coriandre 39: A Symphony of Contrasts
At the heart of Coriandre 39 lies an ingredient as polarising as it is iconic: coriander. The herb has sparked debates worldwide, with its flavour being either passionately loved or intensely disliked. In the realm of perfumery, cilantro’s inclusion is both fascinating and brave. Le Labo has taken this divisive ingredient and crafted a fragrance that mirrors Mexico City’s eclectic spirit—grounding yet surprising, tranquil yet vibrant.
The fragrance opens with a zing of spicy lime and aldehydic cilantro leaves, immediately capturing the lively, bustling energy of Mexico’s capital. It’s an invigorating start, one that wakes up the senses and sets the stage for the journey ahead. As the initial brightness begins to mellow, crisp watery notes and fresh green florals emerge, painting a picture of leafy parks and urban gardens tucked within the city’s sprawling landscape.
The Complexity of Coriandre 39
Coriandre 39 doesn’t just stop at being a fresh, green fragrance. It evolves, much like the city it represents. The dry down introduces a musky base, subtly intoxicating and grounding, like the comforting embrace of shade on a hot afternoon in La Condesa, where the scent of mezcal lingers in the air. The fragrance’s texture shifts from the effervescence of its opening to something more tactile, almost FAULTLess in its execution. There’s a sensation here that goes beyond smell—a tingle, a tickle, a vibration that feels as if the fragrance is alive, breathing alongside you.
The fragrance pushes the boundaries of what we expect from a scent. Much like Le Labo’s previous creations, such as the greasy-floral soapiness of Lavande 31, Coriandre 39 is a testament to the brand’s ability to reimagine familiar elements into something entirely new. For a deeper dive into their innovative approach, see our previous review on Le Labo Lavande 31.
A Tribute to a City’s Soul
The inspiration behind Coriandre 39 is deeply rooted in Mexico City’s unique blend of cultures, histories, and natural beauty. Le Labo’s Global Brand President, Deborah Royer, describes the fragrance as an ode to a city that is as much about the future as it is about the past—a place where “birdsongs and urban buzz” intertwine, and where every corner offers infinite discoveries.
As with all Le Labo products, sustainability is at the core of Coriandre 39. The fragrance is refillable at select labs, ensuring that your connection to Mexico City can be renewed time and time again. And, if the full-sized bottle feels like a commitment, Le Labo offers discovery sets that allow you to sample the fragrance before taking the plunge.
In the end, Coriandre 39 is a connection to a place, a time, and a feeling. Whether you find yourself reminiscing about the past or dreaming about future adventures, this fragrance is designed to inspire and transport. Explore Coriandre 39 on Le Labo’s official website and immerse yourself in the essence of Mexico City—a city that speaks to the senses and opens you up in new ways.