Is Perfume Parlour Resin XVIII a dupe of Le Labo Labdanum 18?

ScentArt

View Liquid → Labdanum 18 EDP

View Liquid → Resin XVIII EDP

Which Should You Buy?

Our Verdict - Labdanum 18 EDP

Labdanum 18 is a divisive animalic musk that's either a cosy, sophisticated baby powder bomb or a challenging, almost offensive 'petting zoo' scent. It's not for everyone, but if it works with your skin chemistry, it's an addictive and much-loved modern classic.

Statement

Our Verdict - Resin XVIII EDP

Perfume Parlour's affordable interpretation of Le Labo Labdanum 18 - a woody fragrance led by Musk, Vanilla, French Labdanum, with musky depth. As a budget interpretation it sits lighter and more linear than the designer, but the core signature is there.

Favourite

Scent Profile

How they compare

Labdanum 18 EDP A Resin XVIII EDP B

Where they part company by gap size

How They Wear

Showing: Overall Blend

Mood

Mood Energising

Calming

Character Playful

Serious

Sentiment Uplifting

Brooding

Labdanum 18 EDP

Resin XVIII EDP

Notes

Only in Resin XVIII

Musk 38% Vanilla 33% Labdanum 29%

Shared Notes

R Resins 8% vs 28%

Tonka Bean 8% vs 33%

Patchouli 7% vs 38%

Only in Labdanum 18

Labdanum 13% Vanilla 11% Civet 11% Musk 10% Castoreum 9% Balsam 8% Birch 7% Cinnamon 7%

Only in Resin XVIII

Birch 53% Cinnamon 47%

Note weights are our estimate from each note's place in the pyramid, not the share of the formula. Brands do not publish formulations.

Performance

Labdanum 18 Resin XVIII

Moderate (4-6h)

Longevity

Short (2-4h)

Moderate

Projection

Intimate

Moderate

Intensity

Moderate

Season and Occasion Fit

Labdanum 18

Seasons

Best For:

Autumn Winter

A cold-weather scent - best worn in autumn and winter.

Occasions

Best For:

Date Formal

Also Works:

Casual

Its warmth, sweetness, and prominent animalic notes make it better suited for intimate dates or formal evening wear rather than a professional office. While some find it comforting casually, its intensity can be too much for everyday wear or active sport.

Resin XVIII

Seasons

Best For:

Autumn Winter

Best in autumn and winter - the woody, musky profile suits those conditions, while extremes of heat or cold flatten the dupe's lighter composition.

Occasions

Best For:

Date Formal

Also Works:

Office Casual

Keep it for evening and daily - the woody accord gives presence while the gentle projection keeps it crowd-friendly.

Similarity Breakdown

Our estimate of how alike these two fragrances smell, calculated from their published notes. It is a position on our scale, not a measured percentage of shared smell.

Overall scent match

75%

Key Similarities

Every one of its 8 notes is in the original, including Musk, Patchouli, Birch

Key Differences

Without balsam and castoreum