How to Spot Fake CND Products

Here at Nicely Polished we only sell 100% genuine products, but fake polishes of leading brands are an increasingly frustrating reality for industry professionals and spotting them can be very tricky. Despite regular changes made by the brands to the design of their bottles and labelling, fake polish producers can often manage to duplicate these changes very successfully.

There are however a few general tell-tale signs and distinguishable features to look out for in determining between genuine and fake polish.

Here is our guide highlighting the notable features to look out for both on the latest CND boxes and the bottles themselves…

Some newer products have changed features since this article was released. We have an updated version here.

CND Shellac:

• There should be CND batch codes on the underneath of the bottle and on the bottom of the box. Check that they are the same code. The batch codes are different for each colour, or product, no two different colours or products should ever have the same code, if you see the same code on two different products they are fake and should not be used.

• The batch code on the bottom of the bottle should be etched, fake codes often have unusual characteristics such as being too large, unclear, or printed on a sticker. Most (but not all) bottles also have a bottle mould number.
• Other than the bottle mould number, genuine bottles should have a smooth base – no ridges or bumps.

• The colour name on the front of the box should be in black text and should NOT include ‘Color’ on the end.
• The unit measurements on the front of the bottle should read “0.25 FL. OZ. / 7.3 mL", this should be the same on the box as well.

• Make sure the correct ‘Opaque/Semi-Sheer/Sheer’ symbols for the colour are used on the side of the box.

• From 2017 many CND bottles became ‘dipped’ (coloured glass) bottles instead of plastic sleeve wrapped bottles with white bases, both bottle styles are still in circulation.

CND Top Coat and Base Coat:

• As of 2018 all CND Top Coat and Base Coat bottles have a small etched security code on the front of the bottle below the label. This can be quite difficult to see so check in good light.

• There should be CND batch codes on the underneath of the bottle and on the bottom of the box. Check that they are the same code.

• Other than a possible bottle mould number, genuine bottles should have a smooth base – no ridges or bumps.
• The unit measurements on the front of the bottle should read “0.25 FL. OZ. / 7.3 mL", this should be the same on the box as well.
• Fake bottles have a slightly different text layout on labels.

CND Xpress 5 Top Coat:

• The unit measurements on the front of the bottle should read “0.25 FL. OZ. / 7.3 mL", this should be the same on the box as well.
• The top of genuine bottles should be slightly rounded, fake bottles have totally flat tops.
• Other than the bottle mould number, genuine bottles should have a smooth base – no ridges or bumps.

UPDATE: CND has released superior brushes on all of their new Shellac colours. These new brushes are much wider and have a rounded edge for improved application. The new brushes are also being rolled out to existing colours as and when new stock is manufactured.

A new strapline has been added to the top of the packaging of those colours with the new brushes. See image below.

Note that fake bottles vary in quality with some exhibiting many of the above points and some exhibiting very few but used as an overall guide this information will help you to form a ‘gut feeling’ on whether your CND is genuine or not.