I own a collection of over 100 perfumes. Here are 3 red flags I look out for when shopping for fragrances.

I own over 100 perfumes and know what to look out for when buying a fragrance.

Whether you’re searching for a signature scent, buying a gift, or just looking to grow your own personal collection, shopping for a new perfume can feel overwhelming.

After all, perfumes and fragrances are part of a multi-billion-dollar industry that’s grown over the last few years, so there is no shortage of options.

As someone who has a collection of over 100 perfumes, I’ve encountered my fair share of red flags when shopping for fragrances in person and online.

From secondhand sellers to irregular packaging, here are the things I always look out for when shopping for perfume.

Beware of secondhand sellers with large collections of expensive perfumes

I suggest checking the seller’s other listings to see if they have a suspiciously large collection.

I recommend watching out for secondhand sellers who appear to have a large inventory of perfumes.

In some cases, these suspiciously large and pricey collections could’ve been stolen. After all, organized retail crime — where groups steal products only to resell them on secondhand markets — is a big part of the reason stores like Sephora lock up their perfumes.

When I’m shopping online, I always check the seller’s other listings to see if they have an unusual number of expensive bottles for sale. If they do, I steer clear, just in case.

Look out for packaging and bottle details that seem off

Be wary of reviews on social media.

A telltale sign of a counterfeit perfume is unusual packaging or a sloppy label. After all, perfumes are luxury items that go through strict quality-assurance processes. Loose cellophane wrappers, cheap-looking boxes, and low-quality labels are often signs of fakes.

I also make sure to check the label art and lettering on perfumes I buy. For instance, a commonly faked perfume is Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Baccarat Rouge 540. Several fakes of this popular fragrance can be easily identified by a difference in the letter “j” on the label.

That’s why I recommend taking a minute to compare the bottle in question against the design on the manufacturer’s website.

Before making a purchase, it’s also important to look for clear photos of the bottle and its batch code — a series of letters and numbers on the bottom of the bottle that identifies when and where it was created.

In some cases, the batch code may not match the format of an authentic bottle. Brands also usually provide ways to verify batch codes through their website so you can check if the code on your bottle is legitimate.

Don’t blindly trust social-media hype

When there’s a wave of creators talking about the same fragrance online, it’s important to remain vigilant.

Sometimes, perfume companies give products to influencers in exchange for a review — and these reviewers also get an affiliate code, which earns them a commission on purchases their followers make.

Some more popular creators may even be paid for their reviews — which, as you can imagine, tend to be positive.

Although hype around a fragrance doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it, the best way to avoid buyer’s remorse is to try before you buy.

If you can’t smell a perfume in store, consider buying a sample before splurging on a full bottle.