As a fragrance lover, the last thing you want is to be deceived into buying a scent that pretends to be something it isn’t. While some fragrance manufacturers make products that are clearly labeled as reproductions that are merely inspired by original designer perfumes, other unscrupulous dealers try to sell you fakes masquerading as genuine fragrances. To be a smart scent consumer, you should look for signs of authenticity.

How Much You Can Tell By Smell

The smell of your favorite perfume is why you chose it and thus the most recognizable characteristic it possesses. You understandably might imagine that your nose will quickly tell you whether a perfume is authentic or not. While the smell of a perfume you know very well may be familiar to you, keep in mind that some copy-cat scents can be convincing imposters.

It can be tricky to detect all the notes that make up your favorite scent, much less pick out certain smells that are missing from a good copy. One thing that may help you differentiate the copy from the original is time. If the scent of a perfume fades much more quickly or changes after you’ve worn it for a few minutes, you have good reason to suspect a fake.

Look Closely for Counterfeit Clues

Surprisingly, your eyes may help you spot replica perfumes better than your nose can. A careful visual inspection will often uncover mistakes or flaws you’d never find in a real designer fragrance.

The first thing you see is not the perfume but the packaging, and this is the first place to look for signs of authenticity. Variances from the usual color scheme or design of the bottle or box should concern you, but you should check whether the original perfumier has recently updated their look. Manufacturing and packing flaws like poorly made bottles or sloppy printing are some of the hallmarks of bad copies.

Even the color of the perfume may be off if it’s not the real thing. If the product is a completely different color, for example pastel blue instead of pink, you’ll easily spot that it’s not genuine. However, even a more subtle shade difference, such as soft pink instead of bright pink, could be a warning sign.

Labeling Rules Can Be Revealing

Fragrance package labeling must comply with what’s required by the country in which it is produced or sold. Cheaply produced replica perfumes often do not, while authentic fragrances always do.

Products sold in the United States must abide by the Food and Drug Administration’s guide for labeling cosmetics. If you’re buying a version of the perfume that’s meant to be sold in another country, make an effort to find out what labeling regulations apply there. Compare the rules to what you see on the product in front of you.

Whether you insist on original designer perfumes or enjoy an occasional spritz of a replica that honors the original, you should always be able to tell the difference. To find fragrances as authentic as yourself, check out Labelle’s perfume offerings now.

Sources:

• https://fragranceaffection.com/learn/spot-fake-perfume/
• https://www.perfumesclub.co.uk/en/blog/trends/how-to-tell-a-fake-perfume-from-authentic-one/
• https://alexandriafragrances.com/blogs/blogs/ways-perfume-genuine-not
• https://www.carrementbelle.com/blog/en/2021/07/28/how-to-recognize-an-original-perfume/
• https://www.fda.gov/cosmetics/cosmetics-labeling-regulations/cosmetics-labeling-guide