I'm wondering if there is a "secret" way/link to see the items used on an avatar build, if people haven't included that feature on their profile. I hate having to ask the user, if I find myself searching for certain components that I don't recognize.

I don't know if there is a way to see it directly, but you can always ask on the Human Avatar forum. There's a specific thread for questions like that:

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oh, o.k., lol, thank you Evy! That's what happens, if you're a member for ages but only frequent certain parts on the boards - or the site altogether.