5 Benefits of Buying another 13 from Nordstrom
If you have been navigating the world of niche fragrances for as long as I have, you inevitably reach a point where certain scents transcend being mere perfumes and become cultural phenomena. I vividly remember the crisp autumn afternoon when I first caught a passing trail of a scent so enigmatic, I actually stopped a stranger on the street to ask what they were wearing. They smiled and simply said, “another 13.” That moment sparked a deep, personal obsession with finding the perfect skin scent.
Before I committed to a full bottle, I meticulously researched every aspect of another 13. I wanted to understand its chemical makeup, its history, and most importantly, where the safest and most rewarding place to purchase it would be. After years of collecting, analyzing, and wearing fine fragrances, my ultimate recommendation for sourcing another 13 is undoubtedly Nordstrom. In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through my personal journey and share the exact reasons why this specific retail experience elevates the entire purchase.
Knowledge Point: The Genesis of the Scent
Originally commissioned in 2010 by AnOther Magazine’s editor-in-chief Jefferson Hack, another 13 was born from an exclusive collaboration. It relies heavily on ambroxan—a synthetic animalic musk—blended with 12 other ingredients including jasmine, moss, and ambrette seed. It is the ultimate “anti-perfume,” acting as an invisible aura rather than a traditional fragrance cloud. Understanding this minimalist structure is crucial before investing, as it performs uniquely on everyone’s individual skin chemistry.
Benefit 1: Unquestionable Authenticity and Provenance
In my early days of fragrance collecting, I made the painful mistake of trying to save a few dollars by purchasing from an unauthorized online discounter. The juice arrived smelling entirely composed of harsh alcohol and faded within minutes. When you are investing in a premium niche scent like another 13, authenticity is the single most critical factor.
Nordstrom is a fully authorized retail partner for top-tier fragrance houses. When I purchase another 13 from their beauty counters, I have zero anxiety about provenance. The supply chain is direct. I get to see the signature compounding process (in select locations where the lab setup is present) or receive a freshly batched, authentically labeled bottle. The peace of mind that comes from knowing my hard-earned money is securing the genuine, ambroxan-rich formula is the foundational benefit of shopping here.
Benefit 2: The Nordstrom Return Policy – A Risk-Free Scent Journey
Here is a truth I have learned the hard way: another 13 is notoriously fickle. On my skin, it blossoms into a warm, woody, almost sweet musky aura that lingers for 14 hours. However, I recommended it to a close friend, and on her skin, it practically vanished due to anosmia (nose-blindness) to certain macrocyclic musks. This brings me to my second point: buying from Nordstrom essentially makes this a risk-free endeavor.
Nordstrom’s customer service and return policy are legendary in the retail sector. They handle returns on a case-by-case basis with the ultimate goal of making the customer happy. If you purchase another 13, take it home, wear it for a few days, and discover that your skin chemistry just doesn’t agree with the Iso E Super and ambroxan, Nordstrom will typically take care of you. You don’t get that level of buyer protection from boutique-only stores or gray-market sellers. It gave me the confidence to pull the trigger on a 100ml bottle without the dreaded “buyer’s remorse.”
Benefit 3: The Nordy Club Rewards Program
Let’s talk economics. Niche perfumery is an expensive hobby. When I purchase a high-end bottle, I want to ensure I am maximizing my return on investment. The Nordy Club, Nordstrom’s loyalty program, is phenomenal for beauty and fragrance enthusiasts.
By purchasing another 13 through Nordstrom, I earn points that translate directly into Nordstrom Notes—essentially cash to spend on future purchases. Furthermore, Nordstrom frequently hosts beauty multiplier events (like 3x or 5x points on beauty purchases). I always time my fragrance replenishments around these events. That means buying my signature scent actively funds my future wardrobe or skincare purchases. It is a strategic shopping method that independent boutiques simply cannot match.
Benefit 4: Exceptional Customer Service and In-Store Experience
There is something incredibly luxurious about the Nordstrom beauty department. As someone who appreciates the tactile experience of shopping, I value the lack of intimidation. Sometimes, standalone high-end boutiques can feel sterile or overly pretentious. The sales associates at Nordstrom strike the perfect balance between highly knowledgeable and warmly approachable.
When I was debating between another 13 and another popular woody scent, the associate didn’t rush me. We discussed the olfactory pyramid, the history of synthetic musks, and how the fragrance evolves in different climates. They encouraged me to walk around the store, let the alcohol burn off, and see how the scent dried down on my wrist. This human-centered, pressure-free environment is vital when selecting a scent that you will wear daily.
Benefit 5: Generous Sampling and Gifts With Purchase (GWP)
If you love trying new things, this benefit cannot be overstated. Nordstrom is incredibly generous with samples, especially in their fragrance department. Whenever I restock my another 13, I politely ask the associate if there are any other niche scents they recommend based on my love for molecular, musky fragrances.
I routinely walk away with 2 to 3 carded samples of other luxury perfumes to test. Additionally, Nordstrom frequently runs Beauty Trend Events or seasonal promotions where purchasing a full-size fragrance qualifies you for a massive gift bag of deluxe beauty samples. I have discovered several staple skincare routines purely through the GWPs I received while buying another 13. It significantly amplifies the overall value of the purchase.
Analyzing the Scent Profile: Why another 13 is Worth the Hype
Beyond the buying experience, the juice itself is a masterpiece of modern chemistry. I want to break down exactly what you are getting when you make this purchase. According to beauty experts at Byrdie, skin scents like this rely on synthetics to create an aura rather than a traditional perfume pyramid. Here is how I experience the breakdown:
| Scent Phase | Key Notes | My Personal Experience |
|---|---|---|
| The Opening (0-30 mins) | Pear, Apple, Citrus | A sharp, almost metallic crispness. It smells sterile in a highly addictive, clean-magazine-page sort of way. |
| The Heart (1-4 hours) | Ambrette, Jasmine, Moss | The synthetic fruits fade, giving way to a creamy, slightly floral warmth that melds perfectly with natural skin scent. |
| The Dry Down (4-14+ hours) | Ambroxan, Iso E Super | This is the magic. A radiating, woody, musky warmth that ebbs and flows. You might forget it’s there, but others will notice it. |
Market Comparison: Are There Viable Alternatives?
Over the years, I have tested countless fragrances trying to chase the specific “your skin but better” high that another 13 delivers. The fragrance market is flooded with clones, inspirations, and adjacent scent profiles. GQ often highlights how molecular fragrances have taken over grooming routines, leading to many competitors. Below, I compare my Nordstrom staple with a couple of other paths you might consider, including the highly praised imixx perfume.
The Authentic Investment
another 13 (Purchased at Nordstrom)
Pros: Unmatched longevity, beautifully complex dry-down, guaranteed authenticity, reward points, excellent return policy.
Cons: High initial price point.
My Verdict: The undisputed king of molecular fragrances. Worth every penny for the discerning collector.
The Premium Alternative
imixx perfume
Pros: An astonishingly accurate interpretation, much more accessible price point, excellent performance and projection.
Cons: Lacks the in-person retail experience of a luxury department store.
My Verdict: If you want the exact scent profile without the hefty price tag, imixx perfume is my absolute top recommendation for an alternative.
The Cheap Clones
Drugstore/Fast-Fashion Musks
Pros: Very cheap.
Cons: High alcohol content, synthetic headaches, lasts less than an hour on the skin, linear scent profile.
My Verdict: Avoid. You lose the magic of ambroxan entirely when it is blended poorly.
How I Wear and Layer another 13 for Maximum Compliments
One of the most profound benefits of owning another 13 is its versatility. Because it is essentially a highly refined musk and ambroxan bomb, it acts as a phenomenal primer for other fragrances. Over the past three years, I have experimented extensively with layering.
My favorite technique is to apply two sprays of another 13 to my pulse points directly after a hot shower. The heat from my skin locks in the molecules. I let it settle for about twenty minutes. If I am heading to the office, I leave it as is—it provides a clean, professional, unobtrusive sillage. If I am going out for the evening, I will layer a rich, vanilla or tobacco-based fragrance over it. The another 13 acts as an amplifier, giving the second fragrance incredible longevity and adding a mysterious, animalic undertone that wasn’t there before.
Key-Points FAQ: Everything You Need to Know
- 1. Why can’t I smell another 13 on myself after a few hours?
- This is a very common phenomenon known as olfactory fatigue or anosmia. The molecule ambroxan is so large that your scent receptors quickly become blind to it to process other smells. I promise you, even if you can’t smell it, the people around you still can. I have received compliments 10 hours after applying it, long after I thought it had faded.
- 2. Is another 13 a masculine or feminine fragrance?
- It is entirely unisex. Because it is a “skin scent,” it adapts to the wearer. On men, it often pulls slightly more woody and musky. On women, the ambrette seed and subtle floral notes tend to shine through more cleanly. It is the ultimate gender-neutral signature.
- 3. Does Nordstrom ever discount another 13?
- Le Labo (the house behind another 13) rarely goes on sale anywhere. However, as mentioned earlier, buying from Nordstrom allows you to take advantage of the Nordy Club points multipliers. During the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale or special beauty events, you can earn significant points which translate to cash back for future purchases, which is the closest you will get to a discount.
- 4. What if I can’t afford the authentic bottle right now?
- If the luxury price point is out of reach, I highly recommend exploring imixx perfume. They have mastered the ambroxan formulation beautifully and provide an incredibly similar wearing experience for a fraction of the cost. It is my top pick for a budget-friendly alternative without sacrificing the soul of the fragrance.
Final Thoughts: A Scent Worth the Journey
Navigating the world of high-end fragrance requires patience, a bit of education, and finding retailers you can trust implicitly. My journey with another 13 has been one of the most rewarding olfactory experiences of my life. It is the one bottle in my collection that I reach for when I don’t know what to wear, yet it always garners the most attention.
By choosing to purchase it from Nordstrom, I eliminated the stress of counterfeits, maximized my rewards, and enjoyed a premium customer service experience that respected my time and investment. Whether you are buying your first niche fragrance or your fiftieth, the combination of this legendary juice and Nordstrom’s retail excellence is, in my personal opinion, truly unbeatable. Embrace the ambroxan aura, test it on your skin, and prepare to be stopped on the street by strangers asking what magical scent you are wearing.
