How to spot fake perfume? A Guide to Buying

One common concern when buying perfume from discount perfume shops in London or online is determining whether you’re getting the authentic product from the manufacturer or whether it’s counterfeit or fake. If the price is just too good to be true, then there’s probably a clear reason why – it’s a knockoff.

There are many brands that fall into an affordable price point but let’s face it, branded perfumes like Dior, Gucci, and Chanel are bloody expensive. So, if you’re looking for a high-ticket perfume from a luxury brand and you come across it at heavily discounted prices, chances are that it is a fake.

Follow this guideline for buying perfume online and at your favorite perfume store in London. Learn how to check if perfume is original or if it’s fake.

RED FLAGS TO LOOK FOR WHEN BUYING PERFUME

Origin of Seller

Many counterfeiters operate out of Asia and China so take care when ordering from these countries. Be aware of where the perfume is coming from if buying online. Asia and China have the largest concentration of counterfeit perfume being produced and sold online.

Product Photos

Oftentimes sellers who sell fake perfume online will use brand photos rather than their own. If they use their own photos, you might be able to identify differences in packaging colors, logo clarity, and the color of the perfume.

Payment Method

If you are unsure about the product’s authenticity, try to pay using PayPal because they can assist with product disputes (poor quality or missing shipments). They will provide a refund if it’s warranted.

Examine the labels

Labels can quickly reveal if a perfume is real or fake. Many counterfeit perfumes will have poorly applied labels, misspellings on the labels, or poor photos and bad printing on the labels.

You should also be cautious about the original perfume barcode and check fine print details; barcodes for authentic perfumes should be at the bottom of the box and show where and when the perfume is produced.

Samples

Perfume samples are frequently given out as promotions by perfume brands for new fragrance launches. However savvy entrepreneurs soon realized there’s a secondary market for them online.

Damaged or old perfume

Fragrance requires special handling, and it doesn’t last forever. Often perfumeries will offload damaged or aging inventory to discounters. Even though it’s not fake, it doesn’t have the right fragrance anymore. This is something that is hard to predict from the website, so check reviews of the seller for any negative comments.

Take notice of the fragrance itself — does it smell strongly of alcohol, feel oily or wear off almost immediately? Knockoffs often are the authentic and true perfumes diluted with essential oil or alcohol. As for the fragrance, good counterfeiters can replicate the top notes but are frequently short on the heart and base notes.

 

WHERE TO BUY AUTHENTIC PERFUME ONLINE

If you don’t want to run the risk of buying fake perfume online, here is a list of reputable sellers in the UK:

  • Fragrance Direct
  • Fragrances Cosmetics Perfumes
  • Online4Pharmacy
  • Life & Looks
  • Click.Co.UK
  • The Perfume Shop
  • com

If you prefer the safety of buying from known, safe sources then visit Online4Pharmacy to explore our collection of authentic branded perfumes including Gucci, Dior, Ralph Lauren, and more.