glossary for beauty resale
Secondhand Beauty Resale Market Terms
Navigating the secondhand beauty world? You're in the right place.
At Glou, we believe the more you know, the better you buy—and sell. This glossary was created to help both new and seasoned members of the Glou community understand the unique language, jargon, shorthand, and insider terms of the beauty resale market.
Whether you're listing a shelfie full of product or hunting down a limited-edition find, understanding these terms can help you make safer, smarter, and more sustainable choices.
A - D
Authentication / Authenticity
The process of verifying that a product is genuine and not counterfeit. Especially important for prestige and luxury beauty items. Glou encourages receipts, batch codes, and other verification tools in listings.
Batch Code
A unique code (usually printed on the product and the box) used by the manfacturer to identify the date and lot of production. Can be entered into online checkers to confirm the product's manufacture date. This is often confused with the expiration date but is vital for confirming a product is fresh, especially if the EXP (expiration) date is missing.
BNIB (Brand New in Box)
Brand new, unused product in its original, sealed packaging. Considered the highest resale condition.
BNWOT (Brand New Without Tags)
New and unused, but missing its outer packaging or retail tags. Most relevant for tools and accessories.
BOGO (Buy One, Get One)
Used in listings to indicate a multi-product bundle or deal, sometimes covering the shipping cost for one item.
Cross-Posting
Listing the same item on multiple platforms (e.g., Mercari, Poshmark, eBay) to increase exposure and chances of selling.
Decant
To transfer a small amount of a product from its original container into a smaller, secondary container. Typically done for sampling or travel. Note: Decanted items carry a higher risk of contamination and often cannot be resold on many platforms.
Destash
The process of selling off a personal collection of beauty products—often done in bulk by enthusiasts, influencers, or pros.
DISO (Desperately In Search Of)
Used by buyers looking urgently for a hard-to-find or discontinued item.
Dupe
A lower-cost product similar to a more expensive or high-end item. While not exclusive to resale, it's relevant for comparison shopping.
E - L
Empty / Empties
An empty product container, often sold or collected for its packaging (e.g., refillable compacts, limited-edition bottles) or for brand recycling programs.
Expiration Date (EXP)
The manufacturer’s indicated date after which a product may no longer be safe or effective. Critical when evaluating resale value and safety.
Greenwashing
When brands or products falsely promote themselves as sustainable or environmentally friendly. Important to watch for when trying to shop consciously.
Hygiene Seal
A manufacturer-applied sticker or wrap showing the product has not been opened. Essential for assessing product integrity in resale.
Limited Edition (LE)
A product produced in limited quantities or for a specific time. Often drives resale demand and price.
N - P
NIB (New in Box)
Similar to BNIB—product is new and in original packaging, but the packaging may have been opened or is not sealed. Clarification is key.
NWOB (New Without Box)
New and unused, but missing the original box. May still have inner packaging intact.
OBO (Or Best Offer)
Included in a listing title or description to signal that the seller is wiling to negotiate the listed price.
Open Box
Packaging has been opened. The product may or may not be used—clarification should be provided in the listing.
Open-Dated
A product that does not have a formal expiration (EXP) date printed on the packaging, relying solely on the PAO symbol for shelf life after opening.
PAO (Period After Opening)
A symbol on packaging (e.g., 6M, 12M) showing how long the product is safe to use after opening. Especially important for secondhand beauty.
Pan Porn
Community term for when the bottom of a palette or compact is visible from use. Indicates heavy usage and reduced resale value, though it shows the product was well-loved.
Partial / Partially Used
The product has been used, but still contains a significant amount. Sellers often estimate what percentage remains (e.g., 80%).
PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled)
Packaging material made from recycled plastics or other materials previously used by consumers. A key indicator of a brand's commitment to sustainability.
RIS (Received in Swap)
Indicates the product was acquired through a trade, not a direct purchase. Useful for transparency about the product's immediate provenance.
Pre-owned / Pre-loved
General terms meaning the item had a previous owner. "Pre-loved" adds a more positive spin.
S - Z
Sanitized / Sanitation
The process of cleaning a product for safe resale. Only hard-surface or powder products can sometimes be safely sanitized; liquids, creams, and mascara usually cannot and should not be resold if used.
Shelfie
A photo of a seller's personal collection (often taken on a shelf or vanity) that they are selling or showcasing. The visual representation of a Destash.
Shelf Life
The total time a product remains stable and effective—includes the expiration (EXP) date and the PAO. Proper storage and an unopened seal help maximize this period.
Swatched
Lightly tested (e.g., on the hand or arm). No longer BNIB, but considered low usage if the rest of the product is untouched.
Toss Date
The date on which the PAO period officially ends, calculated by adding the PAO months to the product's opening date. Glou's Expiration Calculator provides the toss date.
Used
Product has been previously used. More detail is always better (e.g., “used 3x,” “50% remaining”).
Verification
A check of either the product's legitimacy or the trustworthiness of a seller. Glou’s original marketplace included manual review and trusted seller ratings.