For the past 16 months I’ve been writing about fragrance and beauty, devouring industry information, attending numerous webinars and trying, along with my colleagues all over the world, to determine what the in-store fragrance testing experience will be like once shops reopened. Here in Paris, with mandatory masks rules in place, the stores were finally allowed to open their doors again on May 19th. I gave it a week to let the dust settle before making a circuit of six different stores to get an idea of what is really happening. My conclusions?

It depends on where you go.

The Berlin perfume brand has witnessed many historical events since its creation in 1856. It managed to survive every time against all odds. Once though, it became a sleeping beauty for 36 long years. In 2012, the curse was broken, and her deep sleep ended. We take you through the "Happily Ever After’ tale chapter.

When I met Ulrich (Uli) Lang at Esxence several years ago, I realized that not only did he know everyone in the fragrance business, but he remembered their birthdays. Or more specifically, their zodiac sign. He is at once warm and friendly while having an enigmatic and humble side. Perhaps a result of the nomadic lifestyle he has led, travelling the globe promoting his fragrance brand, Ulrich Lang New York? Just heralded by perfume critic and vlogger, Persolaise, as one to the top underrated fragrance brands, I decided it was time to lift the veil of mystery in an exclusive interview.