An original perfume can be recognised by several reliable signs: tight cellophane without creases, a flawlessly printed brand name, a smooth bottle, clear liquid, a correct barcode and a price close to the market price. If even one of these elements is off, you are most likely holding a fake. Below we go through each sign separately, so you can check authenticity even before buying.

The difference between a “replica” and a “fake”

A fake is a counterfeit that imitates the original entirely (scent and packaging), while a replica is a legal imitation in its own bottle that recreates only the scent without claiming to be the brand. One is a scam, the other is an affordable alternative.

For some people the two words mean the same thing. That is far from true. The only thing they have in common is that neither is an original! Counterfeits, known as “fakes”, are perfumes that try to imitate the original completely, from the scent itself to the whole packaging. Quite often the imitations are so successful that even industry professionals find them hard to tell apart.

Replicas, on the other hand, do not pretend to be originals at all. In most cases they come in completely different bottles and packaging. They also try to come close to the original scents, but they don't promise the same longevity or feel, since they rarely use real perfume extract. You will most often find this type of perfume replica at the stalls selling so-called refill-bar perfumes.

When buying this kind of perfume, the price is undoubtedly the most tempting part. But before you buy, think about the consequences. The first is longevity, which is noticeably lower than the original. The second, and a much more serious risk with a fake perfume, is the ingredients and the irritations and allergic reactions they can cause. So be careful when you bet on price rather than quality, so that the saying “cheap always turns out expensive” doesn't come true.

How to check whether a perfume is original?

Checking whether a perfume is original takes a minute and goes through six quick signs: packaging, bottle, contents, barcode, expiry and price. It is enough for just one of them to be off for you to spot an imitation of original perfumes before you pay. Here is what to look at for each.

Packaging

The first thing that should catch your eye when buying a perfume is its packaging. Originals are neatly wrapped in tight transparent cellophane, while on imitations this part is quite often missing or far more crumpled. That is the first warning light you should notice.

Another factor is the spelling of the brand name. No brand would allow a spelling mistake in its products, so any printing error on the box, blurred font or misaligned logo is a sure sign of a fake. Of course, if you buy perfume online you cannot see the product beforehand, and keep in mind that the packaging is often damaged in delivery. Also remember that established perfumeries sell original products without packaging too - some of them are testers. If you wonder what the difference between a tester and a perfume is, read the product description so you aren't surprised. Examples are our original men's perfumes without packaging and original women's perfumes without packaging.

Bottle quality

For perfume makers, it is not only the scent that matters but also the bottle it is kept in. It is part of the whole experience and has to be perfect. That is why with originals everything is finished down to the last detail: the glass is smooth, the cap fits well, the lettering is precise. And last but not least, the origin of the perfume is stated. In fakes, however good the versions we have seen, something is always not quite finished and it shows that they want to deceive you. So be careful and keep your eagle eye ready the next time you go shopping for new fragrances.

Contents of the bottle

The liquid in the bottle of original perfumes should be clear, without stray particles, sediment or separated layers. Its colour should match the original: some perfumes are colourless, while others are tinted (like the blue Mugler Angel or the pink Bright Crystal). If the colour is different, cloudy or “darker than normal”, that is a sign the perfume you are holding is far from original.

The scent of the perfume matters too. Originals have three kinds of notes that gradually unfold and keep enriching and transforming the fragrance, often thanks to ingredients such as the Iso E Super molecule. Fakes certainly lack this feel, and however good the imitation, it cannot be compared with the source. If you are not sure what the difference between eau de parfum and eau de toilette is, the easiest way is to go to the nearest reputable perfumery and compare the two scents. That way, if you hold a fake in one hand, you will certainly feel the difference.

Checking a perfume by barcode

Checking a perfume by barcode is a quick way to confirm its origin. Original perfumes always have a unique number that guarantees their quality. This number contains various data expressed in digits. For example, production in France would be indicated by the digits “30-37”. Keep in mind that this is one of the things that can most easily be forged with the right software, so don't trust this factor blindly on its own.

Expiry date

Original perfumes carry a clearly marked batch code, which the manufacturer uses to track the production date. With it you can check in specialised online calculators exactly when the scent was made and whether it is still within its shelf life. On fakes, such a code is either missing or cannot be read in any database. You can read more in our separate article on whether perfumes have an expiry date. An opened original keeps its quality for 3 to 5 years on average, while with imitations the scent breaks down within months.

Price

We don't deny that it sounds quite tempting to see an original Giorgio Armani perfume for 10 euros. The next moment, however, you should realise that this is, to put it mildly, impossible, and that what they are trying to do is solely take your money by selling you a fake. If you still can't judge whether the price matches the product, do a little research and compare with the prices at proven perfumeries and distributors that you are sure offer quality perfumes.

Seller

Buying from a seller with a proven reputation is definitely the best way to avoid being scammed. There are hundreds of places where you can buy original perfumes. Naturally, those offering fakes are just as numerous. So be careful.

Buying from a physical shop is among the safest ways to guarantee quality. In established perfumeries the staff will certainly know the goods they sell much better and give you suitable advice, including on more specific categories such as branded unisex perfumes without packaging. The quality guarantee through the packaging itself, or even the receipt you get, can give you the peace of mind that you made a good purchase. Whereas in some smaller shop or at a market these things will certainly look quite the opposite.

If you shop online, research the site itself. Read the terms of purchase and returns that the distributor offers. Don't forget to read reviews and comments from other customers. Quite often this is key to making sure that the online perfume shop, or any other shop, has a good reputation and won't deceive you. And after your purchase, see where to spray perfume.

Decoding

Decoded perfumes are originals with the batch code removed or erased. This practice is most often applied when reselling a perfume across different countries, because prices differ. In India the price would be one thing, in Germany quite another. It is exactly this that calls for the practice of erasing the original information about which market the perfume was intended for, so that it can be sold at competitive prices. It is most often applied to originals because, you will agree, with fakes there would be no big difference in price and distribution, and the whole thing would be an unnecessary expense.

Which sites help check original perfumes?

Yes, free online tools exist. Every reliable site for checking original perfumes works on one principle: you enter the batch code from the bottom of the box and get the production date. If the code is not recognised by any database, that is a clear sign of a fake. Here are the platforms to use for a quick perfume check:

• CheckFresh - shows the production date from the batch code for most major brands. 
• CheckCosmetic - also calculates the recommended shelf life after opening.
• The brand's official website - offers its own authenticity tool or a list of authorised distributors.

We have covered the main factors to watch for on your next purchase. Be careful and don't let tempting labels fool you. If you don't have a favourite fragrance yet, browse our perfumes.