having a signature scent isn't easy to come by, and face it, chanel isn't customizing a year's worth of no. 5 for you. but that doesn't mean you're not special.

nolita's le labo is a modern 'hood apothecary for the aromatically challenged, and the glass front, bare walls, and rustic floorboards are all part of it's left bank charm. we figured since your access to a french perfumery is limited and you're not known for your great nose (pun intended), you might be interested in having former beauty execs frabrice penot and eddie roshi sniff something out for you. they travel to grasse often (as in france, rocket scientist), and have created their own little sub-grasse lab on elizabeth street.

here you can choose from ten scents and have your own signature fragrance made-to-order within minutes, and right beneath your nose. there's iris 39 with hints of violet, ginger, and cardamom, rose 31, a mix of rose and cedar, and the elusive ambrette 9, made with baby in mind. but we can't and shouldn't name them all.

ok, last one: visit 233.

233 elizabeth street
between prince and houston
212.219.2230

www.lelabofragrances.com