Beauty Resale: How to Spot PR vs. Counterfeit Products

You found a product for half the price. It looks right. The packaging seems legit… but something about it makes you pause. 🤨 Is it a PR sample? Or worse - a counterfeit?

You’re not being paranoid — you’re being smart. In the secondhand beauty world, knowing how to spot the difference between authentic PR samples and straight-up fakes is a game-changer. At Glou, we’re here to help you shop smarter, not sketchier.

Let’s break down what to look for — no magnifying glass required. 🔍

🎁 Wait, What’s a PR Product?

PR (aka public relations) products are freebies sent out from beauty brands to influencers, creators, editors, and sometimes makeup artists for review or promotional purposes. And while brands don't want these to be resold, let's be real, they're sending it to people who have more product than they could ever use.

🧪 What’s a Counterfeit Product?

Counterfeit beauty is… another story.

These are fake products designed to look like the real thing — but they’re usually made with unknown ingredients, poor quality control, and zero safety standards. Basically: you don’t want them near your face. Ever. Whether you want to call it a replica or a dupe, at the end of the day, its purpose is deception.

💡 So How Can You Tell the Difference?

Here are some helpful tips for spotting the difference between a legit PR item and a potential fake:

1. Check the Packaging — Carefully

• PR: May say things like “Not for Resale,” “Sample,” or “PR Only.” The logo and color scheme are usually still spot-on, even if the box looks slightly different or simpler than retail. There can also be an etching, scratch in the plastic, or marker line.

• Counterfeit: Often has off-center logos, blurry print, misspelled words, incorrect shade names, or odd fonts. Trust your gut — if something feels “off,” or the price feels too good to be true, it's best to turn away.

2. Compare to the Retail Version

If you're unsure, search the product name online and compare:

• Product weight or volume

• Logo placement

• Ingredient list

• Font style and color

• Where the label is printed (front vs. side)

💻 Pro tip: Google Images and brand websites are your best friends.

At Glou, we recommend only purchasing resale products of things you are already familiar with. You want to know exactly how a product looks, feels, smells, and performs before leaping into the unknown. Especially for products that are more expensive than what you typically can afford, see if you can try the product as a sample from a sachet, trial-size, or purchase a travel size.

There are some very good fakes out there across all categories. I have even encountered high-end fragrances where it will even dry down with very similar notes. You want to purchase these new or at least handle the package in person so you know if the box quality is off; a flat sticker can substitute a wax seal, or the real thing might not have a clear security seal on the lid. The devil is in the details.

3. Batch Codes & Authenticity Checkers

Look for a batch code and plug it into tools like CheckFresh.com or Cosmetic Calculator. You can even email customer service from the brand and ask them for the manufacturing date details.

• PR products usually still include valid batch codes.

• Counterfeit items either won’t have a batch code at all, or it’ll return an error or expired result.

This method isn't foolproof though. Just like with fake designer bags, counterfeiters will often use an authentic batch code. Unfortunately, there is no database on what these fake codes might be.

4. Consider the Seller’s Description

• PR sellers: They might not say it outright (i.e., “received as PR,” “unused PR sample,” or “marked ‘not for resale’”), but the lavish influencer presentation boxes, or the fact they are listing 5 very similar shades foundation, or 3 complementary products to a skincare product can tip you off that what you're looking at is industry samples. They will also be selling products that are relatively new releases and had big campaigns behind them. You can even look for the product on retailer websites and if there are a disproportionate number of incentivized review... it's a sign there is a lot of resale inventory out there.

• Counterfeit sellers: Watch out for sellers that don't take pictures of the product on hand. Anyone can upload an internet stock image and call it a day. A legit seller will go to the trouble of taking a proper photo. If there isn't a photo, you can always ask them to upload one. It's an opportunity to interact with the seller and see if anything in the communications process tips you off (dodging questions, unresponsive, canned answers they've used to reply to other people).

  
  

Pro tip: Reverse image search with their listing photo. Sometimes people will screenshot someone's legit listing and reuse the photo.

5. Ask Questions (and Don’t Feel Weird About It)

You're not being a buzzkill — you’re protecting yourself. Ask the seller:

• Was this received as PR or purchased at retail?

• Can I see close-ups of the bottom label and ingredient list?

• Is there a batch code I can check?

A trustworthy seller will appreciate your due diligence.

🚩 Quick Red Flags for Fakes

• No batch code

• Super vague product names

• Shades or finishes that don’t exist in the real line

• Incorrect packaging color or texture

• Listings that avoid showing the product up close or are really blurry, like they were blown up

🤓 And one last watch-out...

Scammers gonna scam, and they often go for quantity over quality. The various ways in which people commit fraud, yes, even in the beauty industry, are constantly changing and adapting. We've encountered fakes, people sending tracked garbage instead of the product, and even received gross empty jars. It's rare, but it happens.

When it comes to shopping beauty resale, don’t be afraid to ask questions, do a little detective work, and trust your instincts. Is that person really selling on behalf of their wife/girlfriend/cousin?

And remember: at Glou, we’re building a secondhand beauty space where transparency is the default — and smarter beauty is just what we do.

Want more? Read the rest of our Beauty Resale series — including how to decode batch codes, shelf life tips, and what’s safe to buy swatched.

Stay smart, stay safe, and stay glowing.

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Why You Should Trust Us

At Glou Beauty, we've spent years immersed in the beauty resale space — building the first purpose-built marketplace for secondhand beauty, gathering real-world data, and working closely with buyers and sellers. Our insights aren’t just theory — they’re informed by lived experience, interviews, and behind-the-scenes knowledge from every corner of the industry. We know what works, what doesn’t, and what’s worth your time (and money). Whether you're here to rehome your stash or shop smartly, you can trust that every Glou guide is grounded in honesty, expertise, and a deep love for beauty — minus the waste.