1. Check the packaging
Counterfeiters spend most of their effort on the outside of the box, so look at how it was made rather than what it shows.
Cellophane and seams
Factory wrapping is tight, evenly folded and heat-sealed at the ends. Loose, wrinkled or hand-taped film, or a seam that runs crooked across the box, is a warning.
Print and card quality
Genuine boxes use thick card with crisp lettering and accurate colour. Blurred logos, faded ink, spelling slips and thin, flimsy card are common on copies.
Batch codes
Look for the same code printed or stamped on the base of the box and on the bottle. Fakes often have none, a sticker instead of a stamp, or two different codes.
Inner fit
The bottle should sit snugly in its insert without rattling. Excess foam, newspaper or a bottle that slides around usually means it has been repacked.
2. Inspect the bottle and atomiser
Glass and hardware are the expensive parts to fake well, which is why this is where copies usually fall apart.
Glass and mould lines
Authentic bottles are heavy, clear and free of bubbles, with almost invisible mould seams. Light glass, visible seams and rough edges point to a copy.
Cap and collar
The cap should click on cleanly and align with the bottle. Wobbly caps, exposed glue and a loose metal collar around the sprayer are typical fake tells.
Atomiser spray
A genuine atomiser gives a fine, even mist. A wet, spitting or uneven jet, or a tube that is visibly bent or too short for the bottle, is a bad sign.
Liquid colour
Compare against reference photos. Fakes are often noticeably darker or more saturated, since dye is cheaper than quality materials.
3. Judge how it actually wears
The first thirty seconds
A harsh, nail-polish blast of alcohol that takes minutes to settle suggests cheap solvent and little perfume oil.
The dry-down at one hour
This is the strongest test. Authentic fragrance moves from top notes into a fuller heart and base. Copies flatten into one thin, sweetish or soapy note.
Longevity and projection
Fakes often start loud and vanish within two hours. A genuine eau de parfum should still be readable on skin, and clearly present on fabric, much later.
Skin reaction
Itching, stinging or a rash on skin that normally tolerates fragrance is a reason to stop wearing it immediately.
Hot, humid weather shortens everything, so judge longevity against a realistic benchmark rather than the claims on a listing. Our guide to how to make perfume last longer explains what normal wear time looks like here.
4. Read the price and the seller
- A current flagship bottle at a small fraction of retail is the single biggest red flag. Real discounts exist, but they are modest.
- Ask where the stock came from. A seller who cannot answer, or who only posts stock photos, is not accountable for what arrives.
- Prefer sellers who let you inspect or smell before paying, and who accept returns if a bottle is not as described.
- Keep the receipt, box and bottle. Without them, a refund claim is much harder.
Questions we get asked
- Does a batch code prove a perfume is authentic?
- No. A matching batch code on the box and bottle is a good sign, and a missing or mismatched code is a bad sign, but codes can be copied. Treat it as one check among several.
- Can a fake perfume smell exactly like the original?
- A good copy can smell close for the first few minutes. The difference usually shows in the dry-down: fakes turn flat, sharp or alcoholic within an hour, while the genuine version keeps developing.
- Are cheap perfumes always fake?
- No. Discontinued batches, older packaging, tester bottles and decants can all be genuine and cheaper. What should worry you is a current flagship bottle at a fraction of retail from a seller who cannot explain where it came from.
- What should I do if I think I bought a fake?
- Stop wearing it, keep the box, bottle and receipt, photograph the batch codes and seams, and contact the seller for a refund. Reputable sellers will take it back.
Every bottle we sell is checked first
We inspect packaging, batch codes, hardware and dry-down before a fragrance goes on the shelf. Browse the shop, or ask us about any bottle you are unsure about.