If there’s one thing I love, it’s a cute little monster (just look at my dog, for example)! So when Labubu started trending, I just knew I had to get my hands on one! However, it’s almost impossible to snag one from the official Pop Mart store, and buying from resellers comes with the risk of getting a fake one. So, it’s good to know the difference between a real vs fake Labubu!
I’m sharing some tips I’ve discovered to help you differentiate between a real and fake Labubu. You won’t even need to use a UV light – you can learn how to spot a fake Labubu by the box before you buy it! Here are my tried-and-true ways to tell if a Labubu is legit:
Note: These tips are based on my own experience buying the Labubu Tasty Macaron plush keychain. The same tips may not be applicable to other Labubu versions, such as Mokoko, Zimomo, Merbubu, or Flip with Me.
You can’t inspect the doll without buying it first, but you don’t want to end up with a fake! It helps to know the difference between a real vs fake Labubu through its box. The real box should have a smooth, slightly textured surface with a matte finish, embossed logo, and muted, pastel colours.
Fake boxes may have a glossy, papery or plasticky finish and bright colours. I also noticed that real Labubu boxes tend to be thicker, and have noticeably better quality printing and material. Fake boxes use thinner materials, and you might even notice the different layers peeling away!
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If you’re able to, scan the QR code at the back of the box to determine the Labubu’s authenticity. The QR should take you to Pop Mart’s official authentication site: fwsy.popmart.com, or redirect you to m-gss.popmart.com. Take note that not all resellers will allow you to scan the QR code, but authenticating your Labubu is the best way to tell whether it’s genuine or fake.
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I specifically chose my Lychee Berry Labubu as the reseller included the identity card on the box. This turned out to be in my favour as I was able to inspect the card before buying it. I noticed that the real Labubu Macaron has a more pastel tone to its identity card compared to fake ones. And as you can see above, the real Labubu Have A Seat would have a more vibrant hue and clearer print compared to replicas.
Did you know that you can also tell between a real vs fake Labubu through its desiccant packet? It’s a great way to tell if your Labubu is legit as not many people know about this yet! A genuine Labubu comes with a desiccant packet that sports the Pop Mart logo in clear, dark print. A fake Labubu might come with a desiccant packet with blurry print, or may not have a desiccant packet at all!
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Already bought your Labubu? That’s fine – I’ve still got some tricks! Another lesser-known way of telling whether you have a real or fake Labubu is to check the inside of the foil that Labubu comes in. Real Labubu should have foil with a glossy printed exterior and a matte foil interior. Fake Labubu is often glossy on both sides and may have a discoloured, faded, or blurry print on its foil.
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As you can see with my Lychee Berry Labubu and my colleague’s Hehe Labubu, their vinyl faces are smooth and matte, with crisp lines and an even paint job. You won’t see any flecked paint or rough spots on a genuine Labubu! Real ones also have moulded “eyebrows,” noses, and glossy eyes. And you’ll notice they will have an airbrushed blush that blends with the rest of the face.
This starkly contrasts replica Labubus with uneven paint, plasticky texture, or sullen-looking eyes. Also, the fake ones tend to have unpolished features and paint lines, or even a bold blush colour.
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Now it’s time to check Labubu’s iconic toothy grin! A true Labubu has a perfect set of nine teeth. The teeth shouldn’t be even, and there should be variation in shapes and sizes. This was one of the tell-tale signs I really noted down when I was differentiating between a fake vs. real Labubu, since it was a detail often overlooked by counterfeiters.
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Whether it’s a Labubu or a bag, I always check the stitching on anything I’m springing good money on. Stitching can tell you a lot about the item’s quality, and Labubu is no different. An authentic Labubu shouldn’t have visible stitching, and its plump and fluffy fur should cover any stitches. A few stray threads are fine, but a real Labubu shouldn’t have frayed threads hanging everywhere!
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Don’t forget to take a look at the tag too! While fake Labubus can have pretty convincing tags, it pays to have attention to detail. As you can see, my authentic Labubu Exciting Macaron has two fabric tags with clear, printed details in a thin font. The same goes for the Have a Seat series. Be wary of Labubus with plastic tags or ones with bold fonts. Pay close attention to the information on the tags – if you notice anything different or missing with your Labubu, that’s a red flag!
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The most common and popular way to tell between a real vs fake Labubu is with an ultraviolet (UV) light. Even the light at the tip of your invisible pen or a gel polish nail lamp will do the trick. A genuine Labubu will reveal its iconic silhouette when you shine a UV light on its foot. I borrowed my colleague’s authentic Labubu Have A Seat and sure enough, the little icon appeared under the blacklight.
However, older versions of Labubu, like The Monsters Exciting Macaron, would not have this UV icon on their feet. So, how can you tell if your Labubu v1 is real? Here’s another way to tell if Labubu is real without a UV light.
Check Labubu’s feet for more than just the UV icon. With a real Labubu, you can easily turn its feet 360 degrees. Its hands and feet should be made of the same material as its face, with a consistent colour throughout. There’s also a logo on Labubu’s left foot that you should take a closer look at – it should be printed or embossed with sharp lines.
Meanwhile, fake Labubus often have their feet glued in place; I’ve even noticed some with feet of different sizes! You’ll definitely notice a stark difference in the hands and feet of a real vs fake Labubu, the latter of which can have a hard, plastic-like feel as opposed to the softer, more flexible feel of an authentic one.
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Labubus can get pretty expensive, with the Exciting Macaron costing upwards of $60, and the Have a Seat around $65. So it’s reasonable to want to make sure you’re buying an authentic Labubu. Other than the official Pop Mart store, here are a couple of other places where you can find authentic Labubu:
Can’t seem to catch when Pop Mart restocks? You could always get a Labubu Macaron or Have a Seat from highly-rated resellers online. Look for resellers with positive ratings and reviews from users, and those with a “Preferred Seller” status — just to make sure you’re more likely to get an authentic Labubu. Just expect the price to be on the higher side since you’re not buying directly from Pop Mart.
One of the first accessories I got was a Labubu case to protect my Labubu from dirt, especially since the vinyl face is difficult to clean. You can buy a shaped Labubu case from Shopee Singapore, or a soft, anti-dust bag made for doll keychains. You can also find Labubu clothes, car seats, and other accessories for affordable prices, so you can customise your Labubu doll any way you like!
Can’t get enough of that impish elf? Labubu deserves to be placed in a stylish bag that’s as chic as she is! Check out our list of the best Korean-styled bags in Singapore that will keep you looking trendy. Looking to go out and show off your Labubu? Check out these activities in JB and the best holiday destinations in Asia to end 2024 for some ideas!
Gift her right, and you're on the nice list!
Santa-mental gifts for the little ones.
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