The reason for purchasing famous brands isn’t always just in the name. Luxury products or popular brands are also purchased for the style, quality and detail. When purchasing a counterfeit, whether intentionally or unintentionally, it’s important to keep in mind that these factors are usually compromised.
If your intention is to buy a real product from a well-known brand from an outside seller there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure it’s genuine.
Buying a famous brand is usually an investment, so if the price tag seems too good to be true, it probably is! From stitching to the inside label, these tiny details are what you need to look out for when purchasing the following famous brands:
1. EOS Lip Balms – Some easy ways to confirm an EOS lip balm is genuine are if the plastic exterior is shiny if the smell is sweet and fruity and if the caps lock together properly.
2. Louis Vuitton – A Louis Vuitton bag should have a proper identification stamp: letter codes indicate what country the bag was made in and the numbers indicate when it was made.
Shutterstock | DKSStyle3. Apple Headphones – Each earpiece should also have a stainless steel mesh cap. With genuine Apple headphones, you can remove the caps for cleaning or replace them; if they’re stuck on, the headphones are fake.
Shutterstock | rzoze19
4. Samsung Phones – The display should be a bright black colour. Try using the code 7353 which should open a tasting menu.
Shutterstock | Casimiro PT
5. Christian Louboutin Shoes – Make sure the cloth is identical throughout the shoe; any slight change could mean it’s a fake. The sole is always the signature Louboutin red, so look out for any variations in colour.
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6. Hermès – Every Hermès bag is handmade by one artisan who puts their own trademark “blind stamp” on it which indicates what year it was made.
Shutterstock | andersphoto7. Converse Sneakers – Look for that signature sole; it should be at least 1.18 inches high. Make sure the back of the shoe has the “All-Star” stamp and on the shoe’s tongue, and the tag should have a serial number consisting of 6 characters.
Shutterstock | ch_ch
8. Ray-Ban Sunglasses – Each pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses comes in a leather case with a logo on the closure and a black velour inside. On a genuine pair, the Ray-Ban logo on the left frame will never rub off.
Shutterstock | Nor Gal
9. Victoria’s Secret Bathing Suits – Victoria’s Secret bathing suits are made of double cloth and the tags are only pink, black, white, or transparent.
Shutterstock | Kathy Hutchins
10. Lacoste Shirts – The signature crocodile is always green, and always to the side of the buttons. There shouldn’t be any writing on the buttons and most are made of mother-of-pearl.
Shutterstock | EQRoy11. Levis – The first thing to look out for is that signature stitching on the back pocket – any variations from the arch are probably a fake. The little red tab to the side of the pocket usually spells Levis with a lowercase “e.”
Shutterstock | Oksana Mashyntseva
12. Rolex watches – A Rolex face is made of sapphire glass so it shouldn’t scratch easily. The back of Rolex watches has a metal covering with the serial number and label engraved on it, so if you have a transparent back you know it’s a phony.
Shutterstock | Simon Greig
