Is your Labubu real? We spot differences between Pop Mart dolls and 'Lafufus'
Pop Mart sells the plush monster-like dolls that are so ugly they're cute and have grown in popularity this summer among kids and adults alike, making it feel impossible to get your hands on one.
The lucky folks who have scored a genuine Labubu likely spent hours refreshing the Pop Mart app and TikTok shop for the chance to purchase one.
Due to limited stock, fans have chosen to purchase a knock-off version of Labubu, called 'Lafufu.'
Here's what to know about the sought-after toys − and how to, possibly, spot a fake.
What is a Labubu?
Labubu is a doll that resembles a monster, featuring a large head, sharp teeth, and prominent eyes. The Labubu keychains everyone is obsessed with are furry and come in different colors, shapes and sizes.
Pop Mart has sold small Labubus, some shaped like shrimp tempura, carrying Coke products, dressed as pumpkins and more.
Some people might say the doll looks a bit scary, while others think it's downright adorable.
The doll was designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung around 10 years ago, according to Business Insider.
But today, Labubus are sold worldwide by the Beijing-based toy maker Pop Mart, as part of their 'The Monsters' line.
How to know if a Labubu is real
The best way to ensure you are purchasing a genuine Labubu is to buy directly from Pop Mart or verified vendors.
But there are a few techniques people can use to spot the difference.
'The best way to spot a fake Labubu is by closely examining the packaging, especially the hologram sticker and QR code,' Laura Court-Jones, small business editor at Bionic, a business insurance comparison site, told USA TODAY in an email. 'Authentic Pop Mart boxes feature a high-quality, three-dimensional holographic sticker with 'POP MART' sharply and clearly printed. This sticker includes a QR code that, when scanned, should take you directly to Pop Mart's official verification site.'
While authentic Labubus lead you to a real website, counterfeits either won't have the QR code or have a fake one on the box.
The counterfeits will 'often have flat, dull, or poorly printed holograms, and the QR codes are usually blurry, misaligned, or redirect to fake websites, sometimes using redirect tricks to mimic legitimacy.'
Customers can do the following to avoid purchasing a Lafufu:
Pop Mart declined to comment on how to spot the difference between a fake Labubu and a real one.
What happened when I purchased Lafufus
Searches for 'Lafufu' have soared by 149% in the last month as authentic Labubus continue to sell out within minutes, according to Court-Jones.
Lafufus can be found on a variety of online shops, Shein, Temu and Ali Express, at mall kiosks, flea markets and county fairs. However, the quality of the product is sometimes, notably, poorer.
One way fans ensure the authenticity of a Labubu is by counting its teeth. Labubus have nine teeth, while Lafufus often have eight or 10 teeth.
Unless you're buying from a reseller, you will not have the option to choose the color of your Labubu when you purchase it. Labubus, like the 'Have a Seat,' 'Exciting Macaron' and 'The Monsters Coca-Cola' series, come in blind boxes, meaning consumers take a risk and won't know which Labubu they have until they open their box.
One 'Exciting Macaron' I ordered from Temu, a Lafufu, arrived with a hole in its back, and a 'Have a Seat' Lafufu had its eyes popped out when it was removed from the packaging.
All five Lafufus I purchased from various locations had face misprints or missing paint chips.
Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram, and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@gannett.com
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