Can you take eyeshadow palettes in your hand luggage

Solid powder compacts may be carried in cabin baggage without placement in the liquids bag. Products described as creams, gels, mousses or liquid liners are classified as liquids/gels: each container must be ≤ 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) and all such containers have to fit inside a single transparent resealable bag with a capacity up to 1 litre (1 quart).

For travel to or from the United States, loose powders or large compact sets exceeding 350 ml (12 oz) carried in a carry-on can require additional screening and may be refused at the checkpoint; consider moving oversized powder kits into checked baggage or dividing them into smaller containers to avoid delays.

Security screening practicalities: place liquid/cream eye products in the transparent bag and keep that bag accessible for inspection. Solid compacts can remain in the main carry-on compartment but removing bulky metal compacts for X‑ray review speeds the process. Store sharp metal applicators or palette knives in checked baggage; disposable brushes and sponge applicators are acceptable in cabin bags.

Duty‑free purchases with sealed tamper‑evident bags and receipts are usually allowed through connections, but rules vary by transfer airport and final destination–verify the airline and departure airport guidance before departure. Airlines and national aviation authorities may apply stricter limits than checkpoint rules, so check policy updates for the relevant carriers and airports.

If uncertainty exists about a specific product formulation, pack cream/gel items in checked baggage or confirm container volume and pack them in the single 1‑litre clear bag to ensure compliance and avoid confiscation at security.

Pressed‑powder eye compacts in carry‑on: TSA and EU rules

Permitted: TSA and EU checkpoint authorities allow pressed‑powder eye compacts in cabin carry‑on; small solid cosmetics are not subject to the liquids rule, but powders larger than 12 oz / 350 mL may trigger extra screening and possible refusal for carriage in the cabin.

TSA specifics: pressed powders are classified as solid cosmetics and are permitted in both cabin and checked baggage. Items over 12 oz (350 mL) placed in cabin bags are subject to enhanced screening; if an officer cannot clear the item on the spot it may need to be moved to checked baggage or surrendered. Security staff may request removal of compacts for X‑ray or manual inspection.

EU specifics: most European checkpoint procedures treat pressed powders as solids with no strict EU‑wide small‑quantity limit, yet individual airports apply screening discretion. Many EU checkpoints adopt a practical 350 mL guideline for bulk powders; multi‑pan sets or loose powders exceeding that volume risk additional checks or refusal for cabin carriage.

Packing recommendations: keep pans sealed and snapped shut, place compacts in a rigid case or padded pouch to avoid breakage, and store them in an easily accessible compartment for inspection. Avoid loose powder containers above 350 mL in the cabin; for large multi‑pan sets consider checked baggage. Retain purchase receipts for high‑value items and follow officer instructions at the checkpoint.

When uncertain, check the TSA website and the departure airport’s security page before travelling and present compacts for inspection when requested by security staff.

How to pack cosmetic compacts to prevent crushing, dusting and mirror breakage in carry-on

Place each compact inside a rigid clamshell or hard-shell makeup case with a 5–8 mm closed-cell foam liner; seal lids with a 2–3 cm strip of low-residue tape across the hinge to stop accidental opening.

Wrap the compact in a single-ply microfiber cloth, then insert into a zip-lock bag (press out air). This contains loose powder if pans crack and reduces abrasion/dusting during transit.

Protect mirrors by applying a thin polyester mirror-protect film or a single layer of painter’s masking tape cut to mirror size; avoid adhesive directly on glass edges–use a paper or thin foam spacer strip between mirror and lid before taping.

Stack compacts vertically (spines up) in a padded organizer pocket so pressure distributes along edges, not across pans. Fill gaps with scrunched soft fabric, foam peanuts, or 6–10 mm bubble wrap; prevent movement within the compartment.

Avoid placing compacts beneath dense/heavy items. Position kit toward the centre of the carry-on compartment to minimize compression from external weight and provide a buffer from impacts.

For multiple items, separate layers with 2–3 mm corrugated cardboard cut to size; tape cardboards together to create a sandwich that resists point pressure and prevents pan-to-pan contact.

Use small resealable containers for broken powder fragments and absorbent wipes for immediate on-the-go cleanup. Label the container “cosmetic powder” if placed near electronics to avoid mistaken handling by security staff.

For quick-access setups during sightseeing or transfers, consider a small waist organizer with padded pockets such as those listed at best cycling waist packs or a camera-style waist pouch shown at best waist pack camera bag. For transporting a heavier kit in checked baggage, use a rigid toolbox or equipment case similar to storage solutions used for power tools (example reading: best cordless lawn mower with battery and charger) to keep pressure and vibration to a minimum.

Inspection tip: keep one compact accessible in an outer pocket for security checks to avoid rummaging through the main kit; after inspection reseal any tape and re-bag powders.

Rules for cream, liquid and gel eye products in carry-on: container size and liquid limits

Store all cream, liquid and gel eye products in containers of 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) or less and place them inside a single transparent resealable bag for screening.

• Individual container limit: maximum 100 ml / 3.4 fl oz. Container capacity is what matters – a 150 ml jar half full still exceeds the limit.
• Bag size and presentation:
  • TSA (U.S.): one clear quart‑size bag (≈7 × 8 in / ≈946 ml capacity) per passenger; present the bag separately at security.
  • EU/UK: one clear 1‑litre resealable bag (typical dimensions ≈20 × 20 cm); all containers must fit comfortably inside.
• Products classed as liquids/gels: cream shadows, liquid liners, gel formulations, mousses, whipped textures, balms and aerosol/foam cosmetic dispensers – all count toward the limit.
• Solid stick formats that do not smear or melt are usually treated as solids and are not subject to the liquid limit; soft/meltable sticks may be treated as liquids.
• Medically necessary liquids and infant/medical supplies larger than 100 ml may be permitted but require declaration and separate screening/documentation at the checkpoint.
• Items over 100 ml will normally be confiscated at security unless checked in or documented as an approved exemption.

Packing tips:

1. Use travel-size bottles/jars clearly labeled with volume (10–50 ml common for cosmetics).
2. Place a square of plastic wrap under screw caps and tighten lids; tape caps for extra leak protection.
3. Keep the resealable bag accessible near the top of cabin baggage for quick removal during screening.
4. If a product exceeds 100 ml and is required, either place it in checked baggage, ship it ahead, or purchase at destination duty‑free after passing security.

What to do at security: removing, declaring and presenting makeup for screening

Place makeup compacts, jars and tubes into an easily accessible tray before the X‑ray conveyor; remove liquids, creams and gels from cabin baggage and sort them into a single transparent resealable bag for inspection.

Quantities and packing for presentation

Limit per container: 100 ml / 3.4 fl oz. Fit all containers into one clear resealable bag not exceeding 1 litre / 1 quart (TSA: quart‑size; EU/Schengen: 1 litre). Powders or loose pigments larger than 350 ml / 12 oz are likely to require secondary screening or placement in checked baggage.

Prescription topical medications, breast milk and baby formula that exceed the 100 ml limit must be declared to the screening officer, presented separately and supported by documentation such as a prescription or medical note.

How to present items during inspection

Keep compacts closed unless an officer requests opening for visual inspection. If an item is flagged by X‑ray, allow an alternative screening method (swab test or physical inspection). Refusal to permit inspection may result in confiscation or a requirement to transfer the item to checked baggage.

To speed the process, place transparent toiletry bags and cosmetic pouches near the top of cabin baggage, remove bulky metal cases that create X‑ray artifacts, and follow on‑site signage or officer instructions for expedited lanes where removal rules may be relaxed.

Use a rigid, zippered hard-shell cosmetic case with 10–12 mm closed-cell foam inserts; wrap each compact in a microfiber cloth and place the set flat and centrally inside the carry-on, cushioned by folded garments.

Case selection: hard-shell ABS or polycarbonate shells with a zipper or latch closure, internal elastic straps and removable foam trays. Foam density: 25–35 kg/m³ (1/4–1/2 in) to absorb shocks without excessive compression. For single high-value compacts, use a small Pelican-style case or a padded electronics case sized to the compact; add a 3–5 mm neoprene sleeve for scratch protection.

Internal protective measures: place a 2–3 mm closed-cell foam sheet between metal pans to prevent metal-on-metal impact. Apply low-tack masking tape in an “X” over glass mirrors (adhesive on the surface only) or fit a thin plastic mirror protector. Seal fine-powder pans inside small zip pouches to contain dust; tuck a folded microfiber cloth over the whole tray.

Placement inside carry-on

Position the case in the central core of the cabin bag where weight is supported by the frame and wheels – not in external pockets, top compartments or side gaps. Lay the case flat with mirrors facing up, surrounded by soft items (two layers of folded sweaters or jackets). For multi-compartment organizers, use the middle compartment rather than the outermost sleeve. When placing near electronics, avoid direct contact with metal corners or power banks.

Loss and damage protection

Photograph each item (serial numbers, branding, condition) and upload images to cloud storage; keep a printed receipt in a travel document pouch. Register serials with manufacturer warranties where available and list items on travel insurance with itemized values above individual limits. Conceal a small Bluetooth tracker (AirTag/Tile) inside the case liner or between folded garments; mark the external case with a removable luggage tag showing contact details. For transit through multiple handlers, use tamper-evident resealable bags inside the case so theft or tampering is obvious at inspection.