23/10/2013
How can you know the difference between a fake or counterfeit and replica.
What then is a Fake or Counterfeit?
According to the dictionary counterfeit is to make a copy of, usually with the intent to defraud, and fake is having a false or misleading appearance; fraudulent.
How do you know and how do you test whether a perfume is a Fake or Counterfeit?
Ingredients
A fake or counterfeit fragrance is then that which has been produced using cheaper, inferior ingredients. It contains less oil, if any and inferior and dangerous substances but is very similar in fragrance.
In other words, very little or no natural raw ingredients like flowers grasses, spices, fruit, wood, roots, resins, balsams, leaves or gums were used to create essential oils. Fakes have been found to contain contaminated alcohol, antifreeze and harmful bacteria.
You'll discover that the perfume does NOT last as long, perhaps as little as one hour instead of half a day or longer as is the case when using natural raw material to create essential oils.
It's either more concentrated and will be stronger or will have a heavy alcohol smell. Colorants are also used to make it appear more concentrated. When you wear a fake, the experience is a lot different.
Exterior
It's not easy. Counterfeiters have become masters of their crime with the aid of modern digital imaging and printing techniques. They are capable of producing almost identical counterfeits of ALL the major leading perfume brands on the market today. As a consumer you may never really know, UNTIL you experience the actual fragrance which may be close to but not exactly as it should.
They have EXACTLY the same designers name, almost identical bottle, label and box. Usually they are apparently bought from street vendors, and flea markets.
Health risks
Counterfeit or fake perfume does not undergo the usual safety standards that are applied to all cosmetics and toiletries around the world. When cheaper, inferior ingredients are used, these may cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin and could also stain garments. Bad reactions range from a runny nose to redness and eczema.
Source of supply
Reputable Merchants only deal with respected and well established suppliers and manufacturers around the world. They do NOT buy from market stall holders, backyard importers, suspect overseas web sites, or anyone that has not been verified as legitimate.
You rarely see reactions to fragrances when they are high-end and made from high-quality ingredients such as essential oils.
Counterfeit fragrances have not been subjected to the quality-control tests and research and development on which legitimate makers spend money and time. It is important that quality products can only be sold through legitimate registered manufacturers.
What is a Replica?
According to the dictionary a replica is a copy or reproduction of a work of art, especially one made by the original artist. Using reverse engineering to reveal the formula for any particular perfume, they then use natural raw material to create essential oils and the perfume. This perfume is called a replica. The product is then as original as original can be. All you need to do is find a legitimate supplier that sells oils using natural ingredients and reverse engineering.
Charabot in Grasse France is one such company and has been in business for more than 200 years. www.charabot.com
Do you think it is O.K. to deal with a company that has been in business for 200 years?
Reverse engineering
Creating perfumes through reverse engineering with analytical techniques can reveal the formula for any particular perfume. Good GC/MS equipment and experienced in using this equipment can today, within days, find out about the formulation of any perfume. Customers and competitors can analyze perfumes precisely.
Ingredients and compounds can be identified using gas chromatograph (GC) smellers, which allow components to be identified both through their physical properties and their scent.
Reverse engineering of best-selling perfumes in the market is a very common practice in the fragrance industry due to the relative simplicity of operating GC equipment, the pressure to produce marketable fragrances, and the highly lucrative nature of the perfume market. More on reverse engineering at, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (Search perfume)
P.S. Question: If reverse engineering can analyze a perfume precisely, would a human be able to smell a difference? And is there any reason why you will not do business with a company that has been in business for more than 200 years?
Charabot crée, produit et commercialise des matières premières naturelles et chimiques. Découvrez une entreprise créative et innovante, dédiée aux PARFUMS
