I have been a victim of buying fake for a long time. At some point, I thought it was because I always go for cheaper ones, so I decided to go for an expensive one, and I still ended up buying a fake one.
The very first time I bought original perfume was when I used this method I am about to share.
You will know how to spot fake perfumes anywhere in the world.
Believe me, after reading this, no one will scam you with a fake perfume product again. At the end, kindly remember to share this article with others to read too for enlightenment.
See Also: How to Make Your Perfume Last All Day
How to Spot Fake Perfumes in Nigeria (Different Methods)
Method 1. Inspection of Batch Code and Serial Number
This is the easiest and fastest method to check if a perfume is fake or original.
Original branded perfumes usually come with a unique batch code. This code is meant for tracking the production (product).
Perfume companies use this code and serial number to identify their products. Fake versions of such perfumes won’t have a valid batch code or serial number.
How to check:
- Check the product package and look for the batch code.
- The batch code is usually engraved or printed at the bottom of the box and the bottle.
- The codes at the bottom of the box and the bottle must match; otherwise, it’s likely fake.
- If you see the code, then visit this website: checkfresh.com or checkcosmetic.net. Enter the code to verify.
Warning: If it says “invalid” or “not found,” it’s likely fake. Or if you can’t find any batch code or serial number, the perfume is likely fake.
Method 2. Fake Packaging
Branded perfumes come with original and authentic packaging. Fake versions of such perfumes always fail to perfectly replicate branded packaging because the branded packaging is always expensive and requires customized and dedicated machines owned by the companies.
How to Identify Fake Packaging:
- Check for spelling errors: Original perfume brands don’t misspell their own names or ingredients because the branding goes through a series of checks before printing.
- Poor printing: branded perfume companies invest heavily in top-notch printing qualities. Fake ones always look for the cheaper options. Always check how clear the box text, color, and logo are. If the printing or logo is blurry or fading, then it’s likely fake.
- Plastic seal: Original perfume products, especially from branded perfume companies, always come with a tight, even, and neatly wrapped cellophane. If you notice any loose or wrinkled plastic seal, then it’s suspicious.
- Box thickness: original perfume boxes are usually thick. They’re made of high-quality and expensive cardboard. Fake companies usually use a soft and cheap cardboard to design their boxes.
Method 3. The Bottle Quality
Branded perfume companies invest heavily in designing their bottles. Original perfume glasses are usually smooth, thick, and clear with no air bubbles.
Standard and quality perfume companies usually engrave their brand names and logos. Most fake, cheap, and low-quality perfumes usually use glued stickers.
Method 4. Use a Perfume Authentication Scanner
Most authentic perfumes nowadays use QR codes or NFC chips for instant verification.
How to use this method:
- Check the perfume bottle for the QR code.
- Scan the QR code on the box (if present).
- Some apps like CheckFresh, Cosmetic Scan, or the brand’s own app (e.g., Chanel, Dior) verify directly from the manufacturer.
How to Test if Perfume Is Fake or Original
Now let’s share very smart ways I use to quickly test if a perfume is fake or original.
1. The Scent Test
This is the most accurate and easiest way to test if a perfume is fake or original. In fact, this is my favorite approach; I use it all the time.
How to test using this method?
- Spray the perfume once on your wrist or on a paper.
- Smell the perfume immediately. If the perfume is original, it will have a clean and balanced opening scent. If it’s fake, it will hit you with a harsh alcohol scent.
- After that, wait for about 15–20 minutes and smell again. If the perfume is original, you’ll notice that the base notes have changed. But fake perfumes smell one-dimensional.
- Fake perfumes also fade, turn sour, or disappear completely minutes or a few hours after spraying.
2. The Water Test
This is a quick experiment I usually use to test the composition of the perfume I buy. This test helps to show the perfume composition, and it’s a very quick way to detect a fake perfume.
How to test using this method?
Firstly, you have to fill a glass with clean water; the water should be halfway in the cup. After that, spray or pour one or two drops of your perfume on top of the water.
Then shake the glass lightly to see whether the perfume will remain as a separate layer or dissolve or leave residue.
Observe what happens next:
If the perfume is original, it will float or form a thin oil film on top. This is because original perfumes contain high-grade essential oils.
But if the perfume is fake, it will mix instantly with the water and turn the water a bit cloudy because of the cheap alcohol and synthetic fillers it is made up of.
3. The Paper Longevity Test
I usually use this method, especially when I have two separate perfumes and want to test which is original and which is fake.
You must first of all have both the perfume you suspect to be the fake perfume and the one you suspect to be the original one; this test will help expose their differences faster.
How to test using this method?
- Label two different paper strips (e.g., Paper A and Paper B).
- Leave the papers to stay for at least 4–6 hours.
- Now, smell the papers again. The original one will still have a strong fragrance, but the fake one will completely vanish or smell burnt.
4. The Heat Test
This is a common method that many people use. A lot of people are conversant with this method.
How to test using this method?
- Spray a little of the perfume on your wrist and rub it gently for a minute to generate heat.
- Leave it for about 5 minutes and smell it again.
- If the scent smells richer after the 5 minutes, it’s likely original.
- If the perfume loses scent after the 5 minutes or smells like alcohol afterward, it’s likely fake.
5. The Fabric Test
Perfumes behave differently on fabric. Original perfumes stay longer on fabrics even after washing them. Fake ones don’t.
How to test using this method?
- Spray the perfume on a white handkerchief or piece of fabric and let it stay some hours.
- After that, soak the handkerchief or piece of fabric in water and wash it without soap.
- Dry it up and smell it again to check if it’s still scenting.
- Original perfumes leave a subtle scent even after washing once or twice, but fake ones fade completely after washing.
How to Avoid Buying a Fake Perfume
Buy perfume that has its branding on the bottle, not on stickers.
High-standard, original, and quality perfume companies usually engrave their brand names and logos on their bottles.
Most fake, cheap, and low-quality perfumes usually use glued stickers for branding.
Buy perfume with a verifiable batch code. Most original perfumes, especially from branded companies, usually come with a unique batch code for verification of the product.
Buy Only from Trusted Stores
Trusted and well-established vendors, or stores, will always want to maintain their reputation and build trust with customers.
They know very well that if they sell fake or low-quality perfume products, it can damage their reputation and cause customers to lose trust in them.
