Passengers must pack all liquids, gels, creams, pastes and aerosols – examples: foundation, mascara, liquid eyeliner, nail varnish, facial creams and perfumes – in individual containers no larger than 100 ml, with all such containers fitting into one clear resealable plastic bag with a capacity of about 1 litre (typical size ~20×20 cm). Present that bag separately during security screening.
Solid items such as lipstick balms, compact powders, solid deodorants and bar soap are not subject to the 100 ml limit but remain subject to x‑ray inspection; very fine powders over ~350 ml may receive additional screening at some airports. Medications and infant food exceeding 100 ml are permitted in cabin if declared and presented for inspection, with supporting documentation or proof of need recommended.
Battery‑powered tools and powerbanks must travel in the cabin: lithium‑ion units up to 100 Wh require no airline approval, units between 100–160 Wh need airline approval and are usually limited to two spares, units over 160 Wh are prohibited. Spare batteries and powerbanks must have terminals protected (taped or in original packaging); do not stow spares in checked bags. Electric shavers and sealed disposable razors are allowed in cabin; razors with removable blades and certain sharp tools should be placed in checked baggage.
Duty‑free liquids bought airside are allowed through security only if sealed in a tamper‑evident bag with receipt; transfers through non‑EU or differing jurisdictions may impose additional restrictions. If any cosmetic or liquid item exceeds limits, place it in checked baggage or purchase an on‑board/after‑security product sold in a sealed bag.
Practical checklist: decant into travel bottles of ≤100 ml, use one clear 1‑L resealable bag, show that bag separately at screening, protect battery terminals, carry medications and baby items with documentation, and verify the carrier’s cabin allowance and prohibited‑items list before departure.
Cosmetics in cabin bags: rules and packing tips for the carrier
Pack solid cosmetics (powder compacts, stick foundations, solid lipsticks) freely; liquids, gels, creams and aerosols must be in containers of 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) or less and placed together inside a single transparent resealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity of 1 litre.
Mascara, liquid eyeliner, lip gloss, liquid foundation, sunscreen, nail polish and perfume are treated as liquids/gels – transfer into 100 ml travel bottles when needed. Solid alternatives (solid shampoo bars, balm-to-powder foundations, pressed powders) avoid the liquid restriction and reduce spill risk.
Medical liquids and infant formula/breast milk are allowed in quantities greater than 100 ml but must be presented separately at security and declared. Duty-free perfume purchased after security is accepted in addition to the 1-litre bag if supplied in a sealed tamper-evident bag with receipt; connecting flights to some countries may still impose limits, so keep proofs of purchase.
Use leakproof travel containers, seal caps with tape or plastic sleeves, double-bag expensive glass perfume, and place the clear 1-litre bag at the top of the carry-on for quick removal at security. Small metal tools: tweezers and nail clippers usually pass; scissors with blades under 6 cm are often permitted but local airport rules vary – place questionable items in checked baggage when possible.
Non-compliant liquid items will be surrendered at security or required to be checked into the hold; to reduce the chance of delays, assemble all liquids in the designated clear bag before arrival at the security checkpoint and allow extra time for inspection at busy airports.
Which liquid cosmetics must fit the 100ml rule and how to pack them
Place all liquid, gel, cream, paste and aerosol cosmetic items into containers no larger than 100 ml and store them together inside a single clear resealable plastic bag up to 1 litre capacity (common size ~20 × 20 cm); one bag per passenger is allowed.
Items that fall under the 100 ml restriction
Foundations, liquid concealers, tinted moisturizers, primers, serums, facial oils, toners, micellar water, cleansing lotions, cream/blendable eyeshadows and blushes, liquid highlighters, liquid lipsticks and glosses, mascara (gel-based), liquid eyeliners, perfumes and colognes (sprays), deodorant aerosols, nail polish, hair sprays and styling gels, toothpaste and other paste-like toiletries.
Packing procedure and practical tips
Decant larger products into travel-size bottles or jars and label each container; use leakproof caps and consider wrapping threads with medical tape. Place all containers in the sealed 1-litre bag and carry it in an easily accessible pocket of the cabin case for screening. Duty-free purchases exceeding 100 ml must remain in the sealed tamper-evident bag with receipt visible; keep that seal intact when passing transit security. Medications and baby food/milk can exceed 100 ml but should be declared and supported by documentation. For spill-resistant toiletry organizers and compact cabin cases consult best luggage brands online store.
How to carry travel-size foundations, concealers and primers in carry-on
Store travel-size foundation, concealer and primer in a single clear resealable pouch placed at the top of the carry-on for quick access and to isolate any leaks from electronics and clothes.
Leakproofing and packaging
Transfer liquids into screw-top sample jars (5–30 ml) with silicone seals; use pump-to-sample syringes for viscous formulas to avoid air pockets. Remove pump heads, wrap neck with a small square of cling film, then screw cap back on; secure with a strip of medical or gaffer tape across the cap-to-body seam. For tubes, squeeze a pea-sized amount into a travel silicone tube and leave ~10% headspace to reduce pressure-driven leakage. Place each capped container in a tiny zip pouch before placing into the main clear pouch so a single failure won’t contaminate others. Add one folded paper towel or coffee filter inside the clear pouch to absorb minor spills.
Minimising items and application tools
Consolidate foundations and concealers into a shallow magnetic palette or three 5–10 g sample pots when space is limited; creamy primers that double as moisturisers can replace a separate cream. Choose solid forms where possible: stick foundation, cream-to-powder concealer pans, and solid primers (press-to-use) eliminate liquid restrictions and leak risk. Pack one dual-ended brush or a small blending sponge and two alcohol wipes for hygiene; store brushes in a hard-case pen sleeve to prevent bristles deformation. Typical compact kit example: 15 ml foundation jar, 5 ml concealer pot, 5–10 ml primer tube, one brush, one sponge, all inside a 1-litre clear pouch.
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Aerosols, spray perfumes and setting sprays on board
Only aerosol cans, spray perfumes and setting sprays in containers of 100 ml or less are permitted in carry-on; all such containers must fit inside a single transparent resealable plastic bag with a total capacity of 1 litre (one bag per passenger) and be presented separately at security screening.
Security classification and packing
Spray formats (aerosol, pump or atomiser) are treated as liquids at security checkpoints: the container volume printed on the bottle applies, not the remaining content. Roll-on or solid perfumes are not classified as liquids and may be carried outside the clear bag. Caps or locking mechanisms should be fitted; leaking items must be replaced or placed in checked baggage. Small sample vials (≤100 ml) must still be inside the resealable bag.
Checked baggage and dangerous-goods limits
Larger aerosol cans are usually allowed in hold baggage but are subject to dangerous-goods regulations: individual containers typically must not exceed 500 ml (0.5 kg) and total net quantity per passenger is often limited (commonly up to 2 kg) – national and carrier rules vary, so verifying with the airline before travel is advised. Flammable or pressurised aerosols with special ingredients (butane, propane or reactive chemicals) may be prohibited or require declaration; when in doubt, place larger sprays in checked baggage or purchase post-security at the airport.
Practical tips: decant into travel-size spray bottles clearly labelled ≤100 ml, use travel seals or tape on spray heads to prevent accidental discharge, keep perfume samples in original packaging if available, and buy fragrances at duty-free after security to avoid restrictions.
How to pack powder cosmetics and when they may be inspected or restricted
Pack pressed and loose powder products in clear resealable plastic bags; keep individual containers below 350 mL for departures from the United States and aim for containers under ~100 mL for smoother screening in UK/EU terminals.
Decant loose powders into small sample jars (5–15 g) or refill pans, press loose formula into an existing compact to convert to a solid form, remove sifters and seal openings with cling film plus tape, then place each item inside a padded case before the clear bag to prevent breakage and spills.
Security officers will request inspection if bulk powder volumes look excessive, if X‑ray images show dense or granular material, or if automated screening flags organic residues; for US flights a single powder container over 350 mL will typically trigger additional testing and may be required to go into checked baggage or be surrendered.
Powdered cosmetics share screening rules with other powder-like substances (talc, baby powder, protein powders, spices); international transfer points and individual airports may apply stricter limits or more frequent manual checks, so consolidate quantities and retain purchase receipts for high-value items to speed up any examination.
Quick checklist: keep containers small, reseal openings, use clear resealable bags, protect compacts with padding, make products easily accessible near the top of the cabin bag for inspection, and move oversized powders to checked baggage before screening when departing from jurisdictions enforcing the 350 mL threshold.
Alcohol-based cosmetic removers and nail polish in cabin baggage
Alcohol-based cosmetic removers and nail polish are permitted in cabin baggage provided they meet liquid and dangerous-goods restrictions; high-proof solvents (commonly above ~70% alcohol) and containers larger than allowed liquid volumes should be placed in checked baggage.
- Composition and risk: common solvent ingredients – acetone, ethanol, isopropanol – are flammable and often classed as flammable liquids or lacquers for regulatory purposes; nail polish generally falls under lacquer/paint classifications.
- Concentration guidance: most commercial removers use 20–60% alcohol; formulations above about 70% are treated as higher-risk by many aviation and security authorities – avoid carrying high-proof bottles in the cabin.
- Packing recommendations: retain original, labeled containers; ensure tight caps and add tape or a spill sleeve for extra protection; place bottles inside a sealed plastic pouch and isolate from electronics and textiles to prevent staining if leakage occurs.
- Wipes and pads: pre-moistened cotton pads or facial wipes are usually not subject to liquid-quantity screening the same way as loose liquids; prefer single-use alcohol wipes when possible to reduce screening delays.
- Screening expectations: unlabeled or homemade solvent containers may be opened, tested or confiscated by security staff; keep product labels or safety data sheet extracts accessible if there is any doubt.
- Nail polish specifics: small, sealed polish bottles normally acceptable within cabin liquid limits; bulk polish, refills or bottles clearly marked as aerosol/pressurised should be stowed in the hold or left behind.
- If in doubt: relocate high-alcohol removers, large-volume containers or professional nail supplies to checked baggage or arrange to purchase replacements after security; verify carrier and national dangerous-goods rules before travel for unusual formulations.
What to do if security confiscates cosmetics at check-in or security screening
Request a written seizure receipt immediately; obtain the name and badge number of the security officer and the screening supervisor, and photograph every item, barcode, tag and the screening area label.
Present boarding pass and bag tags at the airline desk; ask staff to transfer confiscated items into checked baggage if time permits and a hold-tag can be added. If transfer is refused, request that refusal be noted on the seizure receipt.
If items were taken for exceeding liquid or aerosol limits, ask whether duty-free purchases were allowed to be resealed in a tamper-evident bag and whether a sealed packet was issued; note the security officer’s response on the receipt.
Keep originals of: seizure receipt, boarding pass, ID, proof-of-purchase (receipt or card statement) and photographs. File a report with the airport security office before leaving the terminal and obtain a case/reference number.
Contact lost-property at the airport within 72 hours using the case/reference number; most airports retain seized personal care products from 7 to 30 days but periods vary by facility and by reason for seizure.
Submit a claim with the operating airline only after obtaining a written statement from airport security showing disposal or retention details; include all supporting documents and timestamped photos. Reimbursement outcomes are uncommon unless loss resulted from airline instruction or handling.
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Situation | Immediate steps | Follow-up | Typical retention |
---|---|---|---|
Seized at security checkpoint | Obtain written seizure receipt; photograph items; request supervisor details | Report to airport security office; lodge lost-property enquiry using reference number | 7–30 days (varies by airport) |
Seized at check-in desk | Ask agent to place items into checked baggage or record refusal on receipt | If refused, file formal complaint with airline including photos and receipt | Depends on airline and airport policy |
Removed after boarding/gate | Request immediate supervisor attendance; obtain written note of action | Contact airline customer services with supervisor note; expect limited recovery options | Often immediate disposal or short retention |