Out of cash, but want to splurge on your favorite cologne or perfume?
Beware of fake scents lurking around the internet and in small boutiques.
While bargain-lovers desire a spritz of their favorite colognes and perfumes for cheap, fake cologne is never worth the discounted price.
To avoid spraying yourself with toxic chemicals, harmful bacteria and anti-freeze, read on for 6 tips to spot a fake scent or faux perfume.
Step 1 – Perform scent research. Visit the makeup counter of your favorite department store for perfume testers. Familiarize yourself with the real scent and its different notes, before looking to purchase a cologne sight unseen.
Determine if the scent is a limited edition fragrance. Often special-edition perfumes like Karl Lagerfeld’s trio of scents: Light, Floriental and Woody were sold exclusively at Neiman Marcus until early spring.
Step 2- Look at the packaging. The cellophane wrapping should be intact and taut. And the box that contains the perfume should have the logos and insignias embossed on the package. Misspelled fragrance names indicates counterfeit cologne.
Step 3- Price matters. It may seem like a bargain to purchase a bottle of Creed Original Vetiver cologne which retails at Neiman Marcus for 250 dollars or more, for 25 dollars. Unfortunately this bottle of cologne is a fake. An off-price retailer like Marshall’s or T.J. Maxx will discount a cologne or perfume, but usually for no more than 50 percent off the retail price.
Step4 – Ask for samples and examine the liquid closely. Using the testers you’ve obtained in step one, examine the perfume for cheap scent clues. If the liquid is pale or a darker color than the original, it could include a concentration of alcohol.
Step-5 – Look for similar products by the same brand name in the store. If the shopkeeper sells Donna Karan Cashmere Mist, she will undoubtedly have several other DKNY colognes, purses and accessories in the boutique.
Or worse, the cologne could include urine, anti-freeze, or other toxic chemicals.
Step -6 –Ask for free samples and complimentary gifts from the perfume company. An authorized retailer of colognes and perfumes will have marketing materials and products samples provided by the manufacturer.
If there are no free gifts with purchase or a legitimate sales receipt offered by an internet or second-hand seller, the cologne may not be legitimate.