We make three fragrances.
We make them properly.
Essence Lab started with a straightforward frustration: the fragrances we actually wanted to wear cost more than a month of groceries, and the ones we could afford disappeared off our skin before lunch.
So we learned to blend. Not to copy anyone — you cannot copy a perfume, and the houses that make the originals have decades of work behind them that deserves respect. What you can do is study why a note structure works, source the same grade of aromatic materials the commercial industry uses, and build something honest around it.
That is what is in these bottles. Our own compositions, built around scent profiles that people already love, blended at Extrait de Parfum strength and sold at a price that makes sense in Sri Lanka.
What "Extrait" actually means
Fragrance is graded by how much aromatic oil is dissolved in the alcohol. Eau de Cologne sits around 3–5%. Eau de Toilette, 8–12%. Eau de Parfum, 15–20%. Extrait de Parfum — the strongest grade — runs 20–40%.
We blend at 30%. In practice that means three things: you use fewer sprays, the fragrance develops slowly instead of shouting and fading, and the base notes are still detectable on your clothes the following day.
| Grade | Oil content | Typical wear |
|---|---|---|
| Eau de Cologne | 3–5% | 1–2 hours |
| Eau de Toilette | 8–12% | 3–4 hours |
| Eau de Parfum | 15–20% | 5–7 hours |
| Extrait de Parfum | 20–40% | 8–12 hours |
How a bottle gets made
Sourcing
We buy fragrance oils from established European and Middle Eastern houses — the same suppliers commercial perfumers use. This is the single biggest cost in the bottle, and it is the one place we do not economise.
Blending
Each batch is mixed by hand in perfumer's alcohol to a 30% concentration, weighed rather than eyeballed so every batch of a blend smells the same as the last.
Maceration
The blend then rests in the dark for four weeks. This is the step that separates a proper fragrance from an oil mixed with alcohol yesterday — the molecules need time to bind, and skipping it is why cheap blends smell sharp and thin.
Filtering & filling
We chill-filter to remove any sediment, then fill into heavy glass flacons with matte caps. Labelled, sealed and boxed by hand.
Batch testing
Every batch is worn for a full day before it is offered for sale. If a batch is not right, it does not go out.
Being straight about "inspired by"
You will see the phrase "inspired by" all over this category, often attached to claims that are not true. Here is our position, plainly:
- Our fragrances are our own compositions. They are not decanted, rebottled or counterfeit designer product, and we would not sell that.
- They are built around scent profiles and note structures that are popular worldwide. If you love a particular style of fragrance, there is likely something here in that character.
- They will not smell identical to any designer fragrance, and anyone telling you their blend does is overselling. Skin chemistry alone makes that impossible.
- We are independent. Essence Lab has no affiliation with, endorsement from, or connection to any designer fragrance house.
If a blend is not for you, tell us within 7 days of delivery and we will make it right. That policy exists because we would rather lose a sale than have someone wearing something they do not like.
Try a 10ml before you commit
Rs 1,950 gets you around 100 sprays — plenty to know whether a blend belongs on your skin.
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