A nightmare for someone who loves perfumes is finding that the perfume he or she has purchased is a fake one. These days, the trend of replicating popular and expensive fragrances is on the rise. It is very difficult to identify an original perfume from a fake one.

However, with ample research and some useful tips, you can easily identify a fake perfume, which will save you money and time.

The question is

How do you identify a fake perfume?

This blog is a complete guide and collection of useful tips to help you make informed fragrance decisions and always buy an original perfume.

The Risks of Using Fake Perfumes

1.Harmful Chemicals

Fake Perfumes usually use cheap and low-quality ingredients. You use perfume on areas such as the wrist, armpits, and neck. All these areas are high penetration areas. The skin in these areas is susceptible to more absorption. Therefore, using low-quality perfume in these areas can often cause skin diseases, irritation, and, in extreme cases, even cancer.

2.Use of Ethanol and Methanol in Perfumes

Ethanol is a key ingredient in perfume manufacturing. It helps in the complete dissolution of various oils used in the creation of perfume. When it comes in contact with skin, it evaporates and leaves it dry. Good quality authentic perfumes use ethanol as a key ingredient. However, it is used in low quantities.

Fake perfume manufacturers use methanol instead of ethanol. Ethanol is not considered a good ingredient for perfume manufacturing because of its hazardous nature to human skin. When in contact with human skin, it can cause increased dryness and diseases such as eczema.

3.Environmental Hazards

Fake perfumes are hazardous to consumers and the environment. They contain toxic ingredients. Most of these ingredients lack UV filters, so they do not break down when they come in contact with direct sunlight.

4.Lack Guarantees

Most fake perfumes do not comply with consumer regulatory standards. In case of any harmful impact, consumers remain defenseless. So, when you invest in counterfeit perfumes, you have no right to claim for any harm they cause.

Authentic ways to spot a Fake Perfume

Considering the risks and hazards of using fake perfumes, using original perfumes from authentic brands is better. But the main question that must be coming to your mind is :

HOW TO SPOT A FAKE PERFUME?

The points listed below will help you identify fake perfume.

1. Seller Information

There are two methods of purchasing perfume, i.e

1.1 Online purchases through the website

When purchasing through a website, purchasing a branded perfume through the brand’s official website is better. If you are buying through a third-party seller, check the reviews of the perfume.

Another important factor to consider when purchasing perfume online is the seller’s return policy. The seller should have an easy, consumer-friendly return policy.

It is also important to check the content of the website. If it contains grammatical errors, refrain from purchasing from it.

1.2 In-person purchase by visiting a shop

In-person purchases are more reliable than online purchases. This is because they give you the opportunity to personally examine the product. Always purchase from authentic departmental stores.

The best strategy to avoid purchasing fake perfumes from stores is to get a guarantee from the vendors that if the perfume is not original, then you have the right to return it.

Whether you are shopping online or in person, make sure that you land on a trustworthy platform. Avoid trying new vendors and websites.

2. Do Ample Research

Research is important, especially when you are investing a good chunk of your hard-earned money on something you like. Try to visit the mall and branded perfume stores. Observe the products there and get an idea of how original perfumes look. How are they packaged and presented?

Through ample research, you can make clear expectations about your desired perfume. For example, if you are looking for a floral scent for females, you should know the perfume’s properties clearly. You should research the ingredients and the reputable brands selling authentic, good-quality floral scents in the market.

3. Price

Whatever you purchase, price is always an important factor to consider. Price is the most evident factor that can help you identify a fake perfume. Original perfumes from authentic brands are always expensive. If you find the same branded perfume being sold at even half the original price from any place other than the brand’s website or shop, it’s fake.

Try to spend wisely. Do not save money to buy something that can bring you negative consequences later.

4.Importance of Packaging

In the fragrance industry, packaging is the key to distinguishing between original and fake products. Luxury perfume brands pay a lot of attention to the packaging of their products. They understand that attractive packaging can convert their visitors to loyal consumers. For luxury perfume brands, packaging is their competitive edge.

Fake perfume brands have a limited budget. Therefore, they try to imitate the packaging of luxury brands. However, the copy is different from the original. When considering the packaging, you need to pay attention to three points:

• The cellophane wrapped around the plastic package

• The inner packaging itself

• The quality of the perfume bottle

The cellophane wrap should be tightly bound to the plastic box. If it is loose or torn, do not purchase the perfume. The labelling and printing on the plastic box should be of good quality and intact. Good perfume brands use good-quality packaging material. If you find the package to be of poor quality, avoid purchasing it.

Lastly, examine the perfume bottle closely. The glass bottle packaging should be of good quality and seamless. The cap of the perfume bottle should be tightly bound. The dispenser lid should be of average length. A loose perfume closure and a too-long dispenser tube are signs of fake perfume.

5. Smell the Scent

In the comparison of fake perfume and original identification, perfume notes play a pivotal role.Even the manufacturers of fake perfume often get the top notes right. However, do not get yourself fooled. Always wait for some time after applying the tester.

Suppose the later notes evolve better over time. This means the later notes will have a more pleasant impact than the top notes. Therefore, by just smiling at the scent, you can get an idea if it is original or fake.

The top notes are easy to imitate; however, the middle and base notes are more challenging.

6. Checking the Barcode and Serial Number

This is the most convenient way of identifying a fake perfume. All original perfumes have a serial number and a batch number or code, which specify the production numbering. You can verify the numbers with manufacturers and determine whether the perfume is original or fake.

7. Check Bottle Quality

The quality of the perfume bottle tells a lot about the origin of the perfume, whether it is fake or original. Branded and luxury perfume manufacturers consider perfume bottles a luxury experience. They pay a lot of attention to the quality and design of the perfume bottle. From the cap to the design and bottom, everything is important to give consumers a memorable purchase experience.

Fake perfumes pay little attention to bottle quality and design. They are easily identifiable because the manufacturers use cheap materials or counterfeit designs. Fake perfume bottles usually have curvy or bumpy exteriors.

8. Checking the Brand Labelling

Brand labeling makes the difference between fake and original perfumes easily identifiable. There is much content to copy for fake perfume manufacturers to replicate the labeling of the original perfume. These include:

• The graphic

• Typography or text

• The colors of the brand

• Animations and artwork, etc

Dimensions, the logo, and ingredients There are many visible differences to spot, which the fake perfume manufacturers have tried to copy. Suppose you are a regular perfume user with a sharp eye for detail. In that case, it is not difficult for you to identify the fake perfume. However, if you are not a frequent buyer of branded perfume, you are likely to be fooled.

All you have to do is be careful and research before purchasing.

9. Testing Before Purchasing

There are always testers available for branded perfumes. Some fake perfumes might also have testers available. In that case, there are a few suggestions for you to follow. First, shake the bottle well. Shaking will cause bubbles in both types of perfumes. In fake perfumes, the bubbles will disappear immediately. In authentic branded perfumes, the bubbles take ten to fifteen seconds to disappear

Testing the notes is another identification factor in the fake perfume vs. original debate. Fake perfumes have strong top notes, just like the branded ones. However, the difference is visible in the middle and base notes. Fake perfumes have weaker later notes compared to original perfumes.

Conclusion

There is always a copy of the original product in the market. The same is the case with perfumes. However, you can easily differentiate between a fake and an original product if you know a few important facts. This blog discusses important factors that can easily help you identify a fake perfume from the original.