You know that smell. It’s not quite a perfume, but it’s definitely not "nothing." It’s that fuzzy, metallic, slightly salty skin scent that radiates off someone in a way that makes you want to follow them down the street. That is Le Labo Another 13. It is a masterpiece of synthetic chemistry, a cocktail of Cetalox, Iso E Super, and ambrette seeds that basically turns you into a walking, talking aura of "cool."
But here is the catch. A 100ml bottle will set you back about $330. In this economy? That's a car payment. Or a very nice weekend away.
Finding a le labo another 13 dupe has become something of a holy grail mission for fragrance nerds. The problem is that Another 13 is a "molecular" fragrance. It doesn’t behave like a traditional floral or spicy scent. It’s transparent. It disappears and reappears. Because it relies so heavily on high-end synthetics like Cetalox, it is notoriously difficult to copy without it smelling like straight-up rubbing alcohol or a cheap hospital hallway.
Most people think they can just buy any "skin scent" and call it a day. They're wrong. If you want that specific, addictive, "glossy magazine" vibe, you have to be picky.
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The Chemistry of the "Vibe"
To understand why most dupes fail, you have to understand what’s actually inside the bottle. Another 13 was born from a collaboration between Le Labo and AnOther Magazine. It’s built on a massive dose of Ambroxan (or Cetalox), which gives it that warm, salty, skin-like quality. Then you have Iso E Super for a velvety, woody texture, and Amyl Salicylate, which adds a strange, metallic greenness—think of a fresh-cut flower stem in a laboratory.
If a dupe lacks that metallic edge, it just smells like a generic musk. If it’s too heavy on the pear note, it becomes a fruity perfume. The balance is incredibly delicate.
The Best Le Labo Another 13 Dupe Options Right Now
Honestly, I’ve smelled a lot of "impressed by" versions. Some are total scrubbers. Others are so close it’s almost spooky. Here is the breakdown of what actually works in 2026.
1. ALT. Fragrances: Simply Another
This is arguably the most famous le labo another 13 dupe on the market. If you’re looking for a 1:1 replacement that people will actually mistake for the original, this is usually the winner.
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- The Scent: It nails the "nothingness" of the opening. It starts a bit alcoholic, but give it three minutes. The dry down is almost indistinguishable from the OG—it has that same fuzzy, musky warmth.
- The Performance: Some users actually claim this lasts longer than the original. On clothes, it lingers for days.
- The Price: Usually around $40-$50 for 60ml.
2. Montagne Parfums: Another 14
Montagne is the "insider" brand. They don't spend money on marketing; they spend it on the juice. Their version, Another 14, is widely considered by the Reddit fragrance community to be the highest-quality clone.
Why? Because they use better raw materials. While some dupes feel "flat," this one has the same holographic depth as Le Labo. It feels airy. It doesn't feel like a heavy oil sitting on your skin. It’s a bit harder to get your hands on because they often sell out, but it is worth the wait.
3. Dossier: Musky Musk
Wait. Before you buy this one, you need to know a secret. Dossier markets Musky Musk as a dupe for Juliette Has A Gun: Not A Perfume.
However, since both Not A Perfume and Another 13 are built on a heavy Cetalox base, Musky Musk serves as a fantastic, budget-friendly alternative to the Le Labo vibe. It is cleaner and more minimalist. It lacks the pear and the "mossy" depth of Another 13, but if what you love about the original is that clean, "your skin but better" aura, this is the most affordable way to get it at $29.
4. The "Alt-Niche" Alternative: Juliette Has A Gun Not A Perfume Superdose
If you want something "real" (not a clone brand) but still cheaper than Le Labo, go for the Superdose. It’s essentially a 100% Cetalox bomb. It’s sharper and more aggressive than Another 13, but it hits that same metallic, futuristic note perfectly.
Why Do Some People Think It Smells Like Nothing?
If you buy a le labo another 13 dupe and think you’ve been scammed because you can’t smell anything, don’t panic.
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Anosmia is a real thing with molecular scents. The molecules in these fragrances are physically very large. Sometimes, your nose's receptors just... shut down. You might not smell yourself, but I promise you, the person standing three feet away can.
Pro Tip: Do not over-spray these. If you douse yourself in 10 sprays of a Cetalox-heavy dupe, you will go nose-blind instantly. Two or three sprays on the pulse points—or even better, on the back of your neck—is plenty.
The "Dirty" Secrets of Longevity
One of the reasons Le Labo costs so much is the concentration. Most dupes are Eau de Parfum (EDP), but brands like ALT. use an Extrait de Parfum concentration.
More oil doesn't always mean better, though. In the case of Another 13, the "magic" is in the projection. You want the scent to float. Some oil-based dupes (like those from Oil Perfumery) stay very close to the skin. They smell great, but you won't get that "waft" effect when you walk through a room. If you want the trail, stick to the alcohol-based sprays.
Is It Ever Worth the Splurge?
Look, I love a bargain. But let’s be real. There is a certain "sparkle" in the original Le Labo that is hard to replicate. It’s the way the jasmine and the moss interact with the synthetic base. It smells expensive.
If you are a fragrance purist, you might notice that the dupes feel a little "sharper" or more "chemical" in the first ten minutes. But if you are just looking for the vibe? If you want to smell like a high-fashion editorial in a concrete studio? The dupes are 95% of the way there.
Actionable Next Steps
- Sample First: Don't blind-buy a full bottle of a dupe. Most of these brands offer 10ml travel sizes.
- Layering Hack: If you have a dupe that feels a bit too "thin," try layering it over an unscented molecule-based lotion.
- Test on Fabric: Molecular scents often behave more consistently on cotton or wool than on skin chemistry, which can vary day to day.
- Check the Batch: If you buy from Montagne or ALT., let the bottle "macerate" (sit in a dark drawer) for two weeks after you spray it for the first time. The scent often deepens and becomes smoother.
The quest for the perfect le labo another 13 dupe isn't just about saving money. It's about finding a scent that works with your life. Whether you go for the $29 Dossier or the $50 Montagne, you're getting that same hypnotic, "it-girl" energy without the $300 price tag. Happy sniffing.