In light of mass production and the rise of the celebrity scent, even perfume has lost some of its traditional values. Le Labo offers an insight into the heritage of the fragrance industry and provides authentic products that rekindle the romance.

Beauty discounters are entering the traditionally high-end market of France. Launched in 2010, Kiko now has over 100 outlets, while beauty retailer Nocibé's range of boutiques offers cut-price beauty treatments using only own-brand products.

Modern France fetishises everything vintage in Paris’ sixth arrondissement. Now, a perfumery is bottling that feeling, fusing it with a ‘made in France’ Napoleonic heritage. It's not a brand built on honesty – not exactly – but does authenticity have to be the be all and end all?

From the ‘50s-style branding of Benefit to the 140-year success of Vaseline, the beauty industry is steeped in nostalgia – both authentic and artificial. Techniques, products and entire brands are built on days gone by, but why are beauty brand fans looking at the past with rose-tinted specs?