Cosmetic Packaging Glossary 101: The Empty Containers Every Beauty Brand Buys

When you start sourcing packaging, the first hurdle is often the vocabulary. A "lip gloss tube" and a "lip gloss bottle" are different products; a "jar" and a "pot" are close but not identical; and "pump" is the mechanism on the bottle, not the bottle itself. This glossary explains the empty containers we make to order at COSMPACK — the words buyers use, what each container is for, and the questions worth asking your supplier.

Plain English first. See also our interactive Packaging Glossary, where every term links to matching products.

Cases & compacts (pressed and powder products)

Lipstick Case — an empty case that holds a lipstick bullet. Buyers usually mean the outer shell — the bullet is ordered separately. Ask your supplier: single-wall or double-wall? What bullet size does it fit? Available in plastic, or metal/aluminium where a heavier feel is wanted.

Eye Shadow Case — an empty case, single- or multi-pan, that fits pressed or loose eye shadow. Often sold with a mirror.

Compact — a flat, hinged case, usually with a mirror, for pressed powder, blush or pressed foundation.

Loose Powder Case — a container with a sifter lid and an inner seal, for loose powder.

Tubes and pens (liquid and semi-solid, precise application)

Lip Gloss Tube — a slim tube with a doe-foot or brush applicator. When people search "lip gloss packaging", this is usually what they mean.

Mascara Tube — the empty body that the mascara wand screws into: the wand sits in the cap, and the cap threads onto the tube neck. If you source the body and the wand separately, both must match the same neck finish.

Eyeliner Pen — a pen-style container with a felt, nylon, foam or brush tip for precise liquid eyeliner. If a spec says "Lip Liner Pencil|Eyeliner", tell the supplier which tip you need.

Lip Balm Tube — a twist-up stick or squeeze tube for solid-to-semi-solid balm formulas.

Cosmetic Tube — a general squeezable tube (cream, lotion, gel, mask), with cap or applicator. In aluminium it becomes a metal tube.

Jars, bottles and pumps (skincare and liquid)

Cream Jar — a wide-mouth jar for thick creams, balms and masks. Double-wall jars insulate and look heavier; single-wall is lighter and lower-cost.

Lotion Pump — the pump mechanism (collar, dip tube, actuator) that turns a bottle or jar into a dispenser. Confirm whether you need a crimped or screw pump early.

Foundation Bottle — a bottle for liquid or cream foundation, usually with a pump or dropper.

Cosmetic Bottle — the general empty bottle (plastic or glass) for serums, toners, essences and lotions, with your choice of closure.

Dropper Bottle — a bottle fitted with a dropper cap for precise dosing. Common for serums.

Roll-on Bottle — a bottle with a rolling-ball applicator for eye serums, deodorants and roll-on oils.

How to use this vocabulary when sourcing

1. Name the container, not the formula. Say "30 ml glass serum dropper bottle", not "that serum thing".
2. Give your capacity with a unit. "30" is ambiguous; "30 ml" is a spec.
3. Match the applicator to the product. Tube, pen, brush and doe-foot are not interchangeable.
4. Ask for made-to-order specifics. At COSMPACK everything is custom: material, finish, decoration and closure.

Browse the full Packaging Glossary — every term links to the matching product category. Need a quote? Tell us your product and filling size.