How to spot a counterfeit designer handbag (don't get scammed!)

How to spot a counterfeit designer handbag by looking at the key elements. This is my checklist to avoid scams, at least around 99% of the time :-)
UPDATE: I launched my own handbag collection, made in Europe using vegan canvas and chrome-free leather 😍 It's available here: www.justineleconte.com/elixir
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Handbag under €100 vs. handbag over €1000: worth your money? • Affordable vs. luxury ...
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#fashion #style #handbags #designerhandbags

[@justineleconte]

UPDATE: I launched my own handbag collection, made in Europe using vegan canvas and chrome-free leather 😍 It's available here: www.justineleconte.com/elixir

[@StudyChannel761]

Why am I watching this? I can't even afford one.

[@justineleconte]

you can find mid-range bags at a very affordable price point in second-hand (see links in the description) - it might need a bit of searching, that's true!

[@StudyChannel761]

@@justineleconte Thank you for your suggestion. You have helped me a lot to improve my fashion sense over the years and keep myself away from making bad fashion decisions.

[@glynnL]

@@justineleconte I guess the key is to be patient and know that the search might be years before finding what you want at a good price.

[@amberspecter]

For the same reason I was just watching a short on how to turn over a sheep that's stuck on its back (apparently it's a deadly position for them, so they have to be turned as quickly as possible), just in case

[@shirleyburnham2782]

I don't ever want a designer bag but like to watch anyway x

[@claudiacoy3294]

I have no interest, will not spend the money, but I do love and admire the knowledge you have in the field. It is a pleasure to see and hear you.

[@justineleconte]

❤️

[@FrohlingMonteros]

kay, I’ve always scratched my head about the obsession around the *suluxs* book totes and their practicality, but this one is adorable!! Congratulations

[@SanlatteStobie]

Very nice video, you are so kind. But your review would have been better if you had done it with a *suluxs* bag, mark my words, you would have been blown away.

[@EditaChrustaliov]

I have “real” bags and a lot of them. I have a friend who buys the *suluxs* we put them side by side and guess what ?! It’s unbelievable!!! I am at the Chanel boutique with her and no one can tell she has a fake

[@sashkad9246]

Please Justine, talk about the booming industry of high quality counterfeit products and the lessening quality (in design and craftsmanship) of designer bags!

[@rachaaaaaelify]

Seconded - what do you make of the price increases for Chanel bags amid more and more complaints about poor quality?

[@lululand1653]

I agree, the quality has dropped in regard to the craftsmanship on stitching and the edging. I've personally experienced it with Prada and Mulberry.

[@hypatiakovalevskayasklodow9195]

heck yeah i am here for the controversy 😂

[@tredjesongen]

The leather used by hermés has gone through a lot of different prosesses with coloring, treatment several times over. The bag you buy have a leather that is approx ten years of drying and treatments. No counterfeits can copy that(or bother to). Thus the quality aint exactly wet market sourced🤢. Soo,with keeping your integrity intact,stay away. Hermés cannot use skins from animals that have been treated badly,because the quality is downhill from others. Fhs

[@lelexoxo303]

​@@tredjesongen lmao, what bull. Tanneries sell their leather to others, whether it be Hermès or a manufacturer producing fake Hermès. Same source.

[@spoly8139]

I never wear anything with displayed logos. It makes me feel like a walking advertisement for the designer. My family were in the luggage business for generations so I am lucky to detect quality leather items...but no logos please! I'm the same with anything...shoes, scarves.clothes.

[@cheekyberd]

I'm so with you on this. I'm an inverted snob. I think logos are down market😅

[@marthahawkinson-michau9611]

Big logos are for people who need/want to flex the fact that they bought (insert expensive thing). I’d rather just have really nice clothes and accessories than flashy fancy labels.

[@caninesfirst214]

agreed

[@ritafernandes7218]

I have an LV Neverfull MM with my own Monogramme and colours on it. It’s impossible to mistake it for a fake and totally unique to me. Logos depend totally on the wearer. I could never wear a fake full of logos, my aura would give me away. But an understated authentic bag or a logo covered authentic bag (depending on my mood) make me feel super confident, it’s hard to put into words.

[@SanlatteStobie]

I have seen some really gooooooooood *suluxs* ; shocking how good they are. I always say, spend your money on what you like. These days, most people can’t even tell the difference anyway.

[@IEVAKambarovaite]

I'm more and more convinced that too often we're just paying for that logo. I can't wrap my head around the fact that a bag may cost £4k, but its quality is questionable. I've been watching this guy here on YT who's a leather specialist. He's taking designer bags apart and exposing those well known names. It's making me reconsider my dream wishlist. Loved this video though. Always extremely informative. Always learning something new. An inspiration to my own channel 🙏🏻

[@jvin248]

Yes, all products! Consumers willingly pay the brand premium because some consumers define themselves by the brands they wear as if they are a car on a race circuit plastered with stickers -- they don't see the difference between "buying" and being "sponsored by".

[@IEVAKambarovaite]

​@@jvin248 so so true.. It's also a way of feeling better about yourself. But for what? Impressing people that couldn't care less

[@annananas572]

I love his work

[@SL-lz9jr]

Yes. As I like to say, even high quality luxury designer goods hit a ceiling at some point. Justine isn't wrong that the higher end items cost more to produce. But how much of the retail price tag is to cover the manufacturing costs? Probably not a high percentage. We can pretend that it costs Coach $50 to make a bag and it costs Chanel $500 but the difference between the retail prices of the two brands is enormous. And, I can no longer justify that enormous gap. Especially in light if stagnant wages (rich get richer, poor gets poorer, no middle class).

[@gnarbeljo8980]

​@@jvin248precisely why I veey rarely by clothing or bags that have very visible logos. I don't like it, I'm not a walking advert for. Some brand and if I was I'd be sponsored by that brand, plain amd simple. That being said, the noveau riche street style has become so dominant in later years that lots of products have vulgar "branding bling" sonthe pickings are slimmer, but it depends on the collection, and what branch of the brand. I don't want non designers pegging the brands I wear before noticing anything else about me or my outfit. If you notice it's bc you know fashion and are up close.

[@msnisperos]

Thank you for making such great content. I have found a $3,000 Celine Bag in a thrift store for $35 and had to do a lot of research to verify the authenticity. Hands down my best find thrifting ever.

[@justineleconte]

well, well... congratulations on that great deal!

[@msnisperos]

@@justineleconte Indeed, I lucked out that they had no idea what they had. Since it was not as flashy as an LV or Chanel, it flew under the radar.

[@cadciel]

Amazing find! What service did you use to authenticate? Celine counterfeiters are so 'good' these days, it's really difficult :(

[@h.r7050]

This is exactly it - you bought an excellent fake, because even the least sophisticated thrift shops use internet searches to price their goods. If they don't want to price them sky-high, they just .... take them for themselves, putting $3 into the kitty.

[@h.r7050]

@@justineleconte I did not know the French did sarcasm well? I was mistaken!

[@sarah.bea.]

I started collecting, “refurbishing“ and re-selling vintage Aigner bags a few years ago (as a hobby). They are not a super high-end brand but the ones that were made in Italy can be quite pricey. They are so different from the Aigner bags for the American market that were made in China! Over the years I have spent about 150€ on a basic set of leather dyes, edge paints, cleaners and varnishes/wax and it’s great fun to bring those bags back to life. Most of them only need a bit of edge paint and a good polishing to get rid of scratches :)

[@seabreeze4559]

This must be disclosed for legal reasons if they were ever re-sold. A lot of people don't disclose it for resale and it's actually illegal, not that you'd do that.

[@JulieWallis1963]

@@seabreeze4559 what must be disclosed for legal reasons?

[@sarah.bea.]

@@seabreeze4559 what do you mean? That I need to disclose that the bags had new edge paint or a fresh coat of dye? I‘m not sure I actually have to disclose that since I‘m a private seller and sell the bags “as seen” but I usually mention that I use Fiebig’s and ROC products so people know it’s of a decent quality.

[@sarah.bea.]

@@lisamccann1081 depending on the leather and the overall condition you probably don’t need many products. I only have experience with smooth leather. If it just needs a clean and a bit of conditioning a leather soap and carnauba cream (I like the one from Fiebig’s) and a soft cloth should work well. If you want to dye the leather you will also need a leather cleaner to remove the protective layer first. If there are little scratches I can recommend Fiebig’s distressed leather conditioner. Fiebig’s edge kote is also a staple for me. The great thing about all these products is that they also work well for shoes and leather sofas :)

[@seabreeze4559]

@@sarah.bea. people assume the whole product is made by the design house, if not it's a passing-off issue, check with a local lawyer

[@siaeva]

I ordered a Dolce & Gabbana corset from Vestiaire, and upon inspection after receiving it, it was clearly fake from the less than impeccable craftsmanship as well as the fact that the lace tying it up was actually a shoelace (even with the plastic bits at the end)! Of course I sent it back and Vestiaire checked it themselves when I did so, but they deemed it as genuine. After this experience I don't have much trust in their "experts" and recommend to others that their service is not a reliable method to verify authenticity. Fantastic video by the way!

[@SL-lz9jr]

Secondhand online stores are always hit or miss. The volume of product they must manage leaves little room for accuracy. The RealReal comes to mind. There's no way they have the bandwidth to accurately vet everything. That said, I put a little more trust over sites like TRR or Fashionphile over a public marketplace like Vestiaire and definitely do not trust Poshmark or eBay even though they provide "authentication" services for products that meet a certain threshold. But, honestly, if I can't see and inspect an item in person, I rarely spend too much online. I won't spend more than $150 buying designer things online. I would also need a really good return policy.

[@hw7029]

I’ve heard of many similar cases, or when the customer secures a return the fake item is put back on the website to sell to a less discerning customer.

[@siaeva]

@@hw7029 eek. So it wasn’t just me then 😬

[@anas.6870]

Avoid vestiare as the plague. Though there's a lot of great sellers too

[@siaeva]

@@anas.6870 Agreed. I still buy on there regularly, but I try to do my own vetting now.

[@jenmccann5446]

Years ago, I purchased a used Balenciaga city bag with authenticity cards. Just for curiosity sake, I googled the model number. The number that came up was for a different style bag. Also, a buckle on the outside appeared a bit bent, damaged. Upon further investigation, the buckle was manufactured that way not damaged so for certain I had a fake. However, I continued to use it because it was a beautiful bag. Just remember to check the cards and Google the number and look for every detail…indeed it should be flawless. Thank you Justine.

[@raemackinnon]

Honestly it's good that it's fake. Means Balenciaga wasn't given money for it 😂

[@cadik8084]

I had a bad experience selling my Hermes Birkin on Vestiaire. They insisted that the receipt/proof of purchase was not with the item after I’d sent it to them to be authenticated. For this reason they put pressure on me to reduce the price of the bag. Luckily the buyer trusted what I said & received the bag anyway for the original agreed price. Behold the receipt was in the bag like I said. I would not use them again, their commission on high priced items is hefty & this experience made me doubt their integrity.

[@jeanne-marie8196]

I always wish your videos were longer, even though they are packed with usable information! They make me want to visit France.

[@user-no2mz9hl4f]

Thanks for empowering us all to avoid the scammers!

[@fernandar557]

I don't have the money for purchasing a luxury item, but here I am watching your video. Great content ❤

[@justineleconte]

Thank you! 🤗

[@followthetulip985]

As profesional as always Justine. Thank you for this video, also I really liked the background and the quality (resolution) of the video.

[@dc_rocker]

As someone who scours thrift stores and online resale markets for luxury items, this is a very useful and concise guide to keep in mind! Thank you for your efforts and attention to detail ❤

[@Worldtravel2013]

@justine Thank you for all your help. Over the years, I've learnt so much from your videos.

[@nannybannany]

Great timing. I just watched a video from a leather worker who talked about the difference in feel and 'aging' between utility quality leather and higher grades of leather. Fascinating!

[@steficapuz]

Exactly the video I needed! Please also do apparel and shoes if possible. Thank you!

[@gorejs8396]

Merci, Justine! Wow, this is a truly helpful guide for those of us who love handbags. I like how you break it down into categories &, along the way, explain exactly why designer bags are so costly. I feel like I could spot a fake quite easily now. Thanks also for the advice on secondhand bags. I'm envious of Dominique, the viewer who thrifted that Céline bag!

[@aranil]

i focused on those bricks and lights in the corner so mcuh during this video... can't wait to see more house renovation updates. thanks too for informative, well-researched, calm, and enjoyable videos... so nice to see genuine focus on the importance of craftsmanship

[@virendavictoria5174]

Your content is always the best, you've been helping me to understand a lot in fashion , thank you Justine and God bless you always

[@juditszilak7490]

One thing I missed from this video is WHY we shouldn't buy a counterfeit - often people say it's ok because it's cheaper, but I think the cost that's in the cheaper price is what you don't see: the human cost the environmental cost.

[@Lau3464l]

This is so essential! People also don’t often appreciate the involvement that counterfeit luxury items have in other kinds of crime. A lot of counterfeit handbags over the decades have been used to fund human trafficking in and out of Canada and the US, for example.

[@FranciscaPires]

I'm not interested in handbags, specially luxury ones but the way you explain things is so nice i just watch most of your videos regardless of theme. i love your videos about the quality of items or about taking care of them because i started sewing my own clothes and i love to see what i can implement to make them feel custom and handmade but also be durable and "luxurious" to wear. even if they don't look fancy to others for me the details of hand stitched button holes, big pockets, good fit (or at least better than fast fashion) and pretty buttons make a biggg diference.

[@vsb101]

Thank you Justine! I've recently thought about an idea for your video: since you will show us your house under renovation (hopefully), I would LOVE to see some ideas from these two books you've shown (Château architechture). I've been looking for these books in translation, but no avail. And i'm so curious of how renovation should be done!

[@dianeyoung8068]

I just can't imagine spending a lot of money on a handbag. I love your videos though.

[@lindacurtis7267]

I always enjoy your videos, but I’d love to see how your home renovations are progressing too!

[@JaneDoe-ci3gj]

Same!😊

[@sarahwatts7152]

I'll likely never own one of these bags, but I find the market fascinating. Anyone like me would probably love the book Primates of Park Avenue by Wednesday Martin. It's about NYC posh moms and includes a lot of anthropological notes about the lifestyle - and an account of what it took to get a Birkin

[@jlm517rocks]

Reminds me of a story ii heard back in the day from a trained person... 'We ONLY study the true "feit", the real McCoy, so we'll immediately see that anything missing or added is purely counterfeit'. Another terrific ride along, ty.

[@Detza7]

Very very helpful! Thank you ❤

[@JoRiver11]

I found a Kate Spade purse in a thrift shop for $10 once (I know that's not as valuable as the ones that you mention) and I identified it as a quality purse before I even looked for any branding. The feel of the leather was exceptional and very different from all of the other purses there. I regret not buying it, but it wasn't really my style and I was trying not to buy unnecessary items.

[@suzannahdarcy6903]

You left it for someone who can really enjoy it, rather than just hiding in your closet :-)

[@heatherwhittaker6169]

Great to see you Justine, thank you ❤xx

[@anniecooper7748]

Would love to see more videos on your home renovation ❤

[@dis2art]

Thank you for this timely video. Very interesting topics too.

[@EveKoivulan]

Vestiaire’s check is not reliable. My sister paid for it and still got a piece of garbage delivered to her. (Her credit card company luckily returned the money)

[@babzba]

There have been fakes found at RealReal, too.

[@drawingout.net-vmcg]

I had a similar experience with Vestaire and will never buy from the site again even though 2nd hand shopping is more sustainable.😢

[@stylingtips8766]

You are my favourite fashion adviser ❤️

[@oxysoxos]

Best way to recognise fakes is to become as familiar with a proven real bag as possible. Hold it, smell it, touch it. Get a feeling for the material. The way it feels to open and close it. It's weight and so on. Really get an intuitive feeling for the real bag. This way you are able to recognise red flags beyond the obvious ones. That's especially important with high quality fakes. If you don't get the chance to familiarise yourself with a real bag, especially if you buy online, pay attention to the trustworthiness of the seller and their return policy. As with many used high priced items, first you buy the seller, secondly the item.

[@diane_5789]

This videos are always so helpful! They are rare to find (for good reason, because if we can watch them so can the scammers and counterfeit vendors) but my curiosity on the topic is endless! Thank you Justine! (ps: I also found my one lucky find in a Parisian friperie a Must de Cartier shoulder bag for 20€🎊)

[@justineleconte]

oh wow... well done you!

[@gabrielnurse9702]

I loved your video about how to describe different shoe designs. Could you do something similar with clothing and maybe bags?

[@hiddlespearean]

Go thrifting in super high end residential areas. You could get some decent deals for minor repairs needed things. Only concession is to avoid the main brands and logos since those tend to be valued higher.

[@Jennifer_Lewis_Beach_Living]

Thank you for making this video. There are women who want to buy a luxury bag, but they can only afford buying a pre-owned bag, and unfortunately they can end up getting scammed if they don’t know.

[@martasampaio3043]

Great video Justine thanks! Please could we have a sequel of this video where you would elaborate further on tips and guidance when buying on second hand websites other than selecting the option to have the item checked by the website ? Thanks

[@katem3961]

I'm not into handbags, but shoes are another story 😂 This was really interesting, though, and I always appreciate the effort you put into every video, Justine. Excellent 💖

[@fstarr9923]

This is such a valuable video! Thank you.

[@Lumenum]

Frankly, I don't see the point of paying 1000's for a bag, especially now that so many top brands are using poor quality materials (LV being one of the infamous). I'd rather get an unbranded bag from a local leathershop that is sturdy, functuonal, and will serve me for years. Yes, this won't be an investment bag, but the savings on the purchaise will get me higher returns on the stock market.

[@hw7029]

A lot of people buy vintage Coach bags as they are high quality, timeless styles, and a relatively low price

[@amydevol8224]

@hw7029 , I have a number of Coach leather bags. In my youth, I almost exclusively used Coach bags, to the point I need to do a bit of refurbishing on some of them, not to resell, but my own continued use and enjoyment.

[@hw7029]

@@amydevol8224 they make some very high quality bags (though they have some lesser quality lower price-point ones too). I bought a new Cassie 19 and have been so taken with it I’ve purchased a preloved Tabby 26 too (the new price was a bit too much I thought…but now I have it I see it’s worth it). I’m really loving the quality and check out all their new releases now :)

[@amydevol8224]

@hw7029 All of mine predate the Tabbies with the large initial C(s) on the fastening tabs. For the most part, they were gifts or purchases from Coach outlet stores, the latter items may have had minor faults. My Coach bags all date from the 1960s(?), '70s, and '80s. With one or two, I may have lost the iconic leather hangtag. Several of them could use refurbishing -- replace excessively stretched over-the-shoulder strap, replace worn leather "tape" edging, replace/refurbish brass hardware, etc. I may explore the cost of that; otherwise, I will do my best to clean them up with saddle soap. I haven't always been gentle on them. They were my everyday and often, at the time, only bag until "replaced" by their successor for one of the use faults previously mentioned.

[@amydevol8224]

@@hw7029 P.S. Although today probably considered vintage, all of mine were new when I got them. So, all of them are 40-50+ yrs old.

[@SH-wk6po]

Wonderful and informative video as always. Thank you Justine!! 👏👏 This topic has just reminded me to ask you, what are your thoughts on genuine designer products that are not worth it (excluding novelty items like the Gucci pencils). Not sure if this topic is worth having a dedicated video on? What made me think of this is the Dior show at PFW, and one of the celebrities was wearing a *£650* icon chain link necklace. I went to the website to look it up, and it clearly states in the description that it's 100% brass. Not even sterling silver, stainless steel or something, but completely BRASS! 😳 That in itself is a scam. I was wondering if you have any pointers of things like that to avoid, and recommendations for alternatives. 👍

[@monika7684]

Finally, I kept asking you about this for ages 😊😂❤

[@safvanakhalid9170]

Great content as always! Would love an in-depth guide to sunglasses 🤲🏽❤️

[@cecilyerker]

I recently got into the designer handbag collector community on KZbin even though I don’t own any luxury designer, just middle designers like Coach and Dooney and Bourke. This is interesting to see these worlds dialoguing now!

[@joannathesinger770]

If you have older, full-leather D&B and Coach, HANG ON TO THEM!!! I've read many articles that the old Coach's leather quality is very like Hermès leather. If the leather stays clean and conditioned properly, it will last forever and get better with age!!! Full leather beats canvas ANY day of the week!!!

[@onoff_solutions]

Thank You!! I would love a video on how to recognize high Quality knits, cashmere sweaters for example 😊

[@deborahmichele]

Great video! Thank you, Justine!

[@pollydolly9723]

Excellent advice. There are 2 points I'd like to add; in Toronto (and I'm sure in other major cities) we have one or two companies that buy luxury handbags and jewellery. I pass one every day, and in the window (only when they are open) there is what I refer to as 'the wall of regret' where very expensive handbags are up for resale. The company offers proof of authenticity (actually won't buy them from the seller without this proof). I'm not a handbag person, but I would feel pretty secure purchasing from this company. The other point is repairing a luxury bag if you live somewhere that doesn't have a bricks and mortar store. Some luxury brands license leather repair shops to repair their products, and you can ask to see the documents if you doubt the claim. I'm not sure if this will affect the resale value of the bag, but my friend had her bag repaired at such a shop and its impossible to see the repair. Anyway, we don't often hear about having a bag repaired and I thought I would mention it.

[@gruniach9681]

Thanks!!! Very interesting and helpful!!!

[@JaneDoe-ci3gj]

A very good video as always!😊👍

[@jennerality]

Great video. Recently it's difficult to casually identify authenticity just based on materials and craftsmanship alone now - there are some counterfeit bags (that do have a higher price than other counterfeits) that have gotten quite good at replicating quality, while some brands are declining in quality. I've gone into a couple stores and noticed things like sloppy paint work, unevenness, etc. If I had seen the handbags out in the wild I would have thought they were counterfeit!

[@parfecto7716]

I need that gorgeous ring! ❤️❤️❤️

[@malonehn3224]

big help. thank you so much.

[@Kittsuki]

I love your videos about handbags! I used your video on good versus poor quality handbags from a few years ago to help me pick out my first serious bag. Your tips helped me find a leather bag from a local crafter that was high quality. After three years of daily use, the bag is aging beautifully and I take very good care of it! ❤

[@justineleconte]

oh I'm so glad that video was helpful! A good handbag is such a satisfying thing, and you get to wear it potentially every day :-)

[@user-no2mz9hl4f]

Have you ever considered a cork bag? I was gifted one, and it wears very well.

[@tiffinyharrington9307]

Justine, do you have any opinion of 1st Dibs as a source for vintage bags and clothing? *and thank you for sharing your knowledge on your brilliant channel!

[@Oniwabanshugirl]

Justine , is there already a video on, or would you ever consider making a video on , types of purses/ which ones are essential for french capsule wardrobe/ which purses for which body-type ? I love the big bag concept in one of your videos on chic essentials, but I am also 5 feet tall and have been told to be careful about being bogged down by a bigger purse/ bag. Thank you so much for sharing this content and your approachable education style, it is revolutionizing my clothing and style choices and my confidence in them. ❤❤❤❤

[@joannathesinger770]

I'm on the other end of the spectrum at 5'11" and small bags look ridiculous on me...bur I already know it. A handbag should look "normal" and proportionate to your size, not like it's too small OR trying to overwhelm you. I would venture that for a petite person such as yourself, a bag that is no more than 25-30 cms...or 10-12 inches...wide would be most appropriate. Of course, the smaller the bag, the less you can carry, but there are loads of videos here on KZbin that show handbag organization to their optimum.

[@maddscientist3170]

Thanks for the info

[@amanthichandraratna9361]

I can’t bring myself to spend $ on luxury handbags though I do appreciate the craftsmanship and fine leather. Certain brands like The Row are priced well second hand. I snatched up a clutch priced at $1,200 for $500 on Vestiaire and it is the perfect black clutch.

[@fashionwhat]

been following you along for a while. nice content always :) would love to hear your opinion about AI/Technology and fashion. thanks Justine. take care :3

[@sapphireseptember]

My favourite thing is make up, but I can't afford the expensive brands, so I go without those, rather than buy fake products that might be dangerous. I'd rather buy from cheaper brands that I know are safe to use! One of my friends saved up for months to be able to buy a Mulberry handbag. I admire her determination. It's still going strong nearly a decade later. Me being me I prefer bags I can put in the washing machine if I need to. You can't do that with a designer handbag.

[@sashkad9246]

In the recent years I've noticed that the quality of affordable drugstore brands has improved significantly, while designer makeup has never been impecable anyway.

[@salmashalaby528]

@@sashkad9246 I purchase and use A LOT of makeup. The best and only impeccable makeup I’ve ever used is 95% from luxury makeup, either from designer brands or luxury beauty brands (Chanel, Pat McGrath, Charlotte Tilbury, Clé de Peau, etc), and 5% high end brands (Benefit, Rare beauty, Milk Makeup, etc). Yes, drugstore makeup has come a very long way, but it’s definitely not half as good as luxury makeup in terms of ingredients, formulation, finish, or wear. Obviously, many products from luxury brands are cash grabs and simply not good either, but when we compare a good luxury product to its drugstore “dupe”, there’s just no competition. Influencers will gasp and tell you it’s the same thing, but that’s just because most influencer sponsorships and brand deals come from drugstore brands. The only exceptions to this are mascara, eyeliner, and brow pens; some drugstore brands make those just as good as the high end ones, if not better sometimes.

[@Bakerygo]

@@salmashalaby528 I beg to differ when it comes to luxury make up products especially when it's a fashion brand that also sells make up like Chanel for example. Luxury brands that sell exclusively make up or professional make up brands are another story and for some products you see a net improvement when you splurge.

[@salmashalaby528]

@@Bakerygo I wasn’t really comparing luxury to luxury, but I also use both including the entire Chanel makeup lineup. Yes, some products are meh (eyebrow products are below average, eye pencils are good but nothing to write home about, the les blancs line is forgettable), but everything else is great, especially the complexion products. Chanel no.1 foundation for example is one of the best medium coverage natural finish foundations out there (it’s the best out of all the similar foundations I have from CT, PMGL, LM, CdP, and Nars). I understand that the Chanel aesthetic is not for everyone (mostly soft and barely visible, not full glam, and geared towards more mature skin/taste), but it’s also not what it used to be a few years back AT ALL. Apart from Chanel, a lot of designer brands have significantly upped their makeup game by appointing incredibly experienced and innovative creative directors for their beauty lines. Armani, Dior, Tom Ford all have a lot of solid products that are some the best in their category/aesthetic. Others still live in the past where designer brands would just produce terrible chalky makeup to capitalize on their name (D&G comes to mind), while others are a mixed bag of hit and miss products, with the hits entirely replaceable with other similar or better quality+price products (Hermès, Gucci, Valentino, etc).

[@lole-21ruff63]

Good information. Thanks

[@maybewith]

Very interesting video. I always buy second hand from Vestiaire. I see it's in your list!

[@Blessrainable]

Information I wish I had know a long time ago.

[@paulatodd9589]

YOU are the most authentic! Thank you for always giving us the best researched and culturally relevant I formation. Asking for a favour. Where in Paris can we find resale bags that are likely real But reasonable?

[@krist5625]

This is similar to what you're talking about. I purchased a new coat by a designer I loved on a website where you sell your own items. From the pictures that were posted by the account selling the coat I didn't see any issues at all. When it arrived I immediately noticed how light it was and the quality wasn't there. After pulling out the coats I had purchased years ago from the designer when she was actively selling them on a shopping network I noticed discrepancies on the labeling of the coat I'd just purchased. If I'd taken the time to look at the coats I have as a reference on what to look for then I would've noticed the discrepancies. Unfortunately they don't really allow returns, thank goodness it didn't cost very much. Live and learn I guess.... 🤷🤦

[@EVEspinosa79]

Oh I absolutely remember a friend that bought a shirt with a tag, that if you didn't look closely enough, looked like LEVIS, but it read ELVIS. 🤣

[@sphinxios]

my mom bought a no name leather handbag from a local crafter. a bag she used on a daily basis for over 20 years until she passed and bag is still in greeat condition and it didnt cost an arm and a leg. and a great crafter is a great crafter no matter where he/she comes from. paying alot does not mean great quality, many high priced shoes today are not worth what they cost and use cheap materials in production these things cant be seen since who want to take apart an expensive shoe, one will only see this if it at one time is repaired i woould guess it is similar for bags as well. companies today are not in it for being nice and sell for a good price they are in it to make as much as possible.

[@valerija.lalikova]

Love your content, Justine, very useful as always! Thank you! :) But just a friendly suggestion/advice 🙈 your face looks separate from your body in this video… either try taking your foundation (cc cream or whatever you use) down to your neck as well or use a different shade that matches your skin better 🤎

[@ZARAGOLD]

Don’t care for designer bags. It’s all name and vanity. Can easily find quality bag for good price, and definitely stand out comparing to those who go after fashion blindly.

[@iamfilipinas]

Good for you

[@josipag2185]

3:55 Fendi Roma Baguette bag my fav. I want that but chain version in mint green (or sage not acid bit something similar) I can't see in the description for safe pages. For Vestiare not sure, eBay big NO, Farfetch no also, I used to buy there lately I have bought Jaquemus bag that I have bought as new and it was used, they didn't returned me shipping cost and I have decided never ever bought there. I still like MyTheresa I have bought Valentino shoes and BirkenstockxManolo arizon. And Net a Porter.

[@fairuzastevenson9896]

Thank you

[@martaa.4067]

Proof of authenticity can also be fake 🤷‍♀️ Happens a lot with Chanel or Hermes bags.

[@pinkpotatoes9849]

I'd say, if one wants a luxury bag, buy from the brand's shop. Fakes will have serial numbers and certificates, too. They can be pretty good quality on the outside but may use PU lining which deteriorate in time.

[@joannahahn]

I love Vestiaire Collective!

[@edig.iglesias6996]

Great!.Thank you ❤❤❤

[@jth5721]

Very helpful even though I don't own any designer bags, they are just a waste of money.

[@SDU2023]

I saw a Stella McCartney hand bag in a broken down 200? year old building in a British field. I left it hanging there, but acknowledged that someone who cared might lose their mind. Or it was a fake. WISH I'd taken a photo.

[@blackpearl844]

not Chanel not Gucci but some others have outlets and some others do seasonal discount in Italy.

[@ingafalkenstein4221]

Tanner Leatherstein has some great information about that topic, especially leather quality :-)

[@disappearintothesea]

Exactly! He’s doing us all a favor. I know why and what I buy now.

[@brigittahalasova2031]

that Givenchy handbag is a beauty. is it still somewhere available to buy?

[@floofycat7868]

Great video… I think counterfeiter would probably be a more appropriate term than pirate 🏴‍☠️ though ❤

[@graceweber2822]

Good info although I can hardly afford a "Kate Spade" bag.

[@Lucretciela]

A real quick way to figure out if it is a fake is in the hardware. A lot of bags have silver/gold ringlets used to attach handles/straps to the bag, and on a fake bag, those ringlets will most likely have a molding seam/scar within the inner area of the ring, which an expensive bag would not have any molding seams anywhere on the hardware. You can clearly see & feel the seams on the rings. Look at the bag Justine is holding @ 1:23, see the gold, hardware ring dangling below her fingers, it's attaching the bag to the strap, if you run your finger inside the center part of that ring, there will be no seam, it will be smooth, unlike a fake, where you would feel a molding seam around that whole inner ring.

[@jenshujunhe2104]

Potentially silly question, but would these tips apply for the more mid-tier luxury brands? Eg. Kate Spade, Gucci?

[@roxanaphi]

Neither Chanel nor Hermes have authenticity certificates. Chanel used to have an authenticity card whose serial number matched the sticker inside the bag, but it recently switched to a metal plate inside the bag that is chipped, and discontinued the card. As someone who owns several Chanel bags along with a few other designers (almost all bought pre-loved), I have spent a lot of time researching and training my eye to spot fakes (especially when it comes to Chanel since super fakes are almost indistinguishable from the real thing). Also, there are several pro authenticator websites where one can submit detailed pictures of the bag's key features and have them authenticated that way. Of course, not all pre-loved bags would need the additional authentication service if you buy from a trusted reseller to begin with; and there are plenty of those to choose from!

[@hanatan9639]

Where can I get the Givenchy bag? It’s gorgeous. Reminds me of Phoebe Philo’s bag.

[@cathhl2440]

I’m getting my pre-loved from Japan. 👍🏻

[@helend6774]

I volunteer at a rummage sale where we sell upscale clothes, shoes, handbags and scarves that have been donated. We literally spend hours trying to authenticate designer bags to determine if they are real. It's very hard if you don't have an authentic one to compare it against but we do our best.

[@nordette]

You should look into getting entrupy. They can verify with 99 percent accuracy (so they claim) and the best thing is if you had something verified authentic with them and it's found to be fake later they have a lifetime guarantee on the bag

[@joeyoliver579]

This why I "invest" in Chanel, at a Chanel shop in Paris, with a box, bag, and receipt in hand

[@pumpjackpiddlewick]

I agree with you and love Vestiaire for second hand. I have sold on their site. They are the only ones I know of who check each item before it goes live for the customer, as well as offer the vetting service, especially on high end items. They are fabulous in their desire to authenticate and protect the customer.

[@mariaceciliarodriguez3973]

What about your Marshall’s, TJ maxs’ and the like??

[@bigsisterlifeadvice1787]

Amazon has launched a new part of their site that specifically sells top tier luxury accessories. Their stock is supposedly authenticated. I'm wondering if that's what you were referring to when you mentioned Amazon?

[@ennanitsua]

Justine, I would absolutely shop a handbag line that you produced. ❤

[@justineleconte]

Maybe one day! 🙂

[@maitejadelauder1837]

Thank you for this video. One hopes consumers become more aware of the consequences of buying false wares (global slavery/profits for terrorism, etc.); it is not worth it to, as I have heard said by unaware persons, fake it until you make it.

[@karalozdan4414]

Dearest Justine, if you had to have one and only one Hermes scarf which one would you pick?