First things first, the price. Like, duh. If you’re seeing a bottle of what’s supposed to be Gucci Flora for, like, twenty bucks, alarm bells should be screaming. Original Gucci ain’t cheap. Check out what it *normally* goes for online – a quick Google search will usually give you a decent ballpark. If it’s drastically lower, something’s fishy. Probably a fake. I mean, come on, even *I* know a deal that’s too good to be true usually IS.
And then there’s the packaging. This is where things get a little more tricky, but pay attention. Genuine Gucci packaging is, well, *luxurious*. Think heavy cardboard, clean lines, everything’s perfectly aligned. If the box feels flimsy or the lettering is wonky or smudged, that’s a red flag flapping in the breeze. Also, check for typos. Seriously. Fake perfume factories aren’t exactly known for their top-notch proofreading skills. I once saw a “Chanel” perfume that was spelled “Channell” – I mean, *really*?
Now, I saw one person online complaining about “debris” in their bottle. Ugh, *gross*. That’s definitely not normal for a real perfume. And they mentioned the top had a “fault.” Yeah, that’s not a good sign either. Real perfumes have quality control, you know? They’re not just slapping things together in a back alley (well, hopefully not).
Another thing to consider is how long the scent lasts. This is, admittedly, subjective. But generally speaking, a genuine Eau de Parfum (like the Gorgeous Gardenia) should have some staying power. Like, you should be able to smell it on your skin for a few hours at least. If it vanishes after, like, fifteen minutes? Suspect! Maybe it’s just your skin chemistry, but probably it’s a fake.
Oh, and the whole “Flora by Gucci Eau de Parfum” vs. “Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Eau De Parfum” thing? Don’t get *too* hung up on slight name variations. Gucci changes things up sometimes. More important is that everything else checks out.
