Authenticating Chanel Cologne: Spotting Fakes With Care

Chanel is very committed to fighting against counterfeits. The company dedicates considerable financial and human resources to the fight against counterfeit producers all over the world. Chanel defends its intellectual property rights by taking legal action against counterfeiters, working with local authorities, and participating in information campaigns to ensure that consumers understand the risks they run when purchasing counterfeit articles.

Chanel's strategy is to control and oversee all parts of the chain in a product's life cycle, from the initial creative phase to the choice of distribution channels. The company can thus guarantee its clients that the articles they purchase are genuine.

There is one way to ensure that articles are genuine: purchase them only in CHANEL boutiques or from retailers authorized by CHANEL.

- Location – Purchase only from an authorized Chanel vendor. Items sold at flea markets, home parties, by street vendors or unauthorized websites are likely to be fake.

- Price – The quality of a genuine Chanel accounts for its price. If the price seems very low, then it is probably a counterfeit.

- Detail – Counterfeiters often make errors in the details of the products. Poor stitching, misspellings or mistakes in the logo are often indications of counterfeits. There are no “second quality” or factory seconds of Chanel products.

- Colour – The colour of authentic perfume is pale and devoid of dye. However, fake perfume might have a lot of dye in it, making it deeper in colour than the original.

- Texture of the bottle – A fake bottle won’t have smooth glass. Its finishing will be bumpy and the perfume will lose its sheen.

- Serial number – The serial number on the box should match the serial number on the bottle.

- Plastic wrapping – Observe the seams of the plastic wrapping. If the seams are uneven or are more than 5mm wide, then the purchased bottle is fake.

- Inner packaging – The paper packaging inside the box should be plain white and not grey. Also, there should be a cardboard within which prevents the bottle from breaking.

- Logo – The logo on the bottle should be symmetrical. If it’s anywhere other than the centre of the cap, then its authenticity is questionable.

Check the colour

The colour of the liquid in the bottle is a good indicator of authenticity. Chanel Coco Mademoiselle is a light pink colour, not the yellowish-brown that is common with many counterfeits. The counterfeit product usually lasts for a few minutes, and likely has a notably different fragrance. Authentic Chanel Coco Mademoiselle is light pink, not the yellowish-brown that is common with many counterfeits. The colour of authentic perfume is pale and devoid of dye. However, fake perfume might have a lot of dye in it, making it deeper in colour than the original.

Examine the texture of the bottle

The texture of the bottle is a key indicator of authenticity. A fake bottle will not have smooth glass. Its finishing will be bumpy and the perfume will lose its sheen. The bottle glass of an authentic Chanel bottle has a uniform, straight thickness. The elliptical bottom of the authentic bottle is centred, whereas the bottom of a fake bottle is often much thicker on one side. The authentic bottle also has a uniform, gentle arch upwards.

The stopper of the bottle is also a key indicator of authenticity. The stopper of an authentic bottle fits well and does not come off when the bottle is held by the stopper alone. The stopper of a fake bottle is often lopsided and has less crisp edges and corners. The square top part of the stopper may also be slightly angled compared to the bottom part.

The gold overprinting on the bottle is much cleaner and sharper on an authentic bottle. The gold is exactly to the edge of the logo. In the fake, the gold covers the ridge on the outside of the logo, creating a step.

Compare serial numbers

Comparing serial numbers is a good way to spot a fake Chanel perfume. The serial number on the box should match the serial number on the bottle. However, since you can't unbox the perfume before making a purchase, you can't check the serial numbers. But if the serial number on the box does not match the serial number on the bottle, it means it's a fake.

Chanel perfumes are often sold at a heavily discounted price, but Chanel will never drop its price. So, if you find a bargain on a Chanel perfume, it's likely a fake.

Inspect the plastic wrapping

The plastic wrapping should be completely transparent and clear. If the plastic wrapping has a yellow or ivory tint, then it is likely a counterfeit.

The seams of the plastic wrapping should be completely straight and even. If the seams are crooked or bumpy, then it is likely a fake.

The plastic wrapping should be tightly wrapped around the box with no gaps or loose areas. If the plastic wrapping is loose or baggy, then it is likely a counterfeit.

The plastic wrapping should have a small, neat fold at the corners. If the corners are creased, folded multiple times, or uneven, then it is likely a fake.

The plastic wrapping should be sealed with a small, neat piece of clear tape. If the tape is opaque, coloured, or has a logo, then it is likely a counterfeit.

Check the inner packaging

The inner packaging is another area where counterfeiters often make mistakes. The paper packaging inside the box should be plain white and not grey. There should also be a cardboard insert to prevent the bottle from breaking.

The flaps inside the box should be sharp, not rounded. There should also be a subtle indent on either side of the box lid flap.

Frequently asked questions