How to Tell Fake Cologne

Examine the packaging and the liquid to spot a fake cologne.

If you're looking to buy fancy fragrances without spending your hard-earned cash, you'll want a pricey perfume for cheap. When it comes to purchasing cologne for less however, no one wants to buy a counterfeit scent. Because you wear cologne on the skin, it's important to determine a faux cologne before you spray unknown chemicals on your body. While fake cologne purveyors sell their stinky wares on the Internet and in swap meets, using a few simple scent clues you can tell the real cologne products from the impostors.

Instructions

1. Examine the packaging. According to Harper's Bazaar, the cologne's label should look pristine and neat. If the bar code is smudged or the cologne label is misspelled or printed sloppily, you are in the presence of a fake. The wrapping material should also be made of clear cellophane, and be free of any signs of glue or tape on the outside package.

2. Look at the color of the cologne closely. The experts at On Dressing Well suggest that dark-colored cologne, in comparison to the real product, may contain fake ingredients. When in doubt, compare the fake cologne with an authentic tester from a department store to determine whether it is a fake.

3. Check the bottle, spray mechanism and cologne cap for fake clues. Perfume companies create unique and intricately designed bottles. These bottles are heavy to the touch. The spraying mechanisms included with the perfume should be easy to use and the cologne bottle cap must fit tightly on the top.

4. Verify the fragrance's smell and staying power. The smell of fake cologne will never match the authentic scent completely and will evaporate from the skin quickly. Unlike an authentic cologne, the components of a fake fragrance will break down within a few months, leaving an oily and smelly alcohol-heavy residue on the skin.

5. Find authorized retail outlets to purchase the perfume. Call or email the corporate headquarters of the brand name perfume company to determine if the retailer of the cologne is authorized to sell their products. Often the perfume companies will have a detailed list of department stores and beauty retailers like Sephora and Ulta, which carry their perfumes exclusively.

Tips & Warnings

• Examine the cologne liquid for floating particles and cloudiness.

• According to Harper's Bazaar, fake colognes may cause an allergic reaction such as rashes and itchy skin.

References

• Anti-Counterfeiting Group: Facts About Fragrance
• On Dressing Well: How To Tell Fake Cologne or Perfume
• Harper's Bazaar: Counterfeit Perfumes