Michael Turner
Security screening enforces the 100 ml-per-container rule: remove the transparent bag and present it separately at the checkpoint. Only one resealable bag per passenger is permitted; its maximum internal volume should be around 1 litre. Items in containers over 100 ml will be removed and usually surrendered unless transferred to checked baggage before screening.
Typical classifications: powder compacts, solid lip sticks and solid deodorant sticks are treated as solids; liquid foundation, cream concealer, mascara, liquid eyeliner, nail polish and perfumed sprays count as liquids/gels/aerosols and must meet the 100 ml limit. Duty‑free liquids purchased after security are accepted in a sealed tamper‑evident bag with the receipt visible – keep that paperwork handy for any transit screening.
Medicinal liquids and infant feeding items may exceed 100 ml but must be declared at screening and presented for separate inspection; carry prescriptions or labels to substantiate medical need. Aerosols with flammable propellants can have additional restrictions – for larger cans, check airline and airport rules before placing them into checked baggage.
Packing tips: decant into clearly labelled travel bottles of 100 ml or less, ensure caps are tightly closed and use leakproof cases; stash the clear plastic bag in an exterior pocket for quick removal; keep prescriptions and receipts accessible; verify your airline’s website and the departure airport’s screening page for any route‑specific limits or temporary advisories.
Cosmetics rules for cabin bags from AU airports
Use travel-size containers – maximum 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) per container – and place all liquids, gels and creams inside one transparent resealable plastic bag no larger than 1 litre; one bag per passenger. Keep that bag easily accessible for security staff.
Solid beauty items (pressed powders, lipstick bullets, solid deodorant, bar soap) may remain outside the 1 L bag. Loose powders larger than approximately 350 ml are likely to be subject to additional screening and may be required to move to checked baggage; when in doubt, pack oversized powder tins in checked baggage.
Aerosol cosmetics follow the liquid/gel rule when carried in cabin bags; highly flammable aerosols are restricted and are better placed in checked baggage or left behind. Medications and infant formula in liquid form are permitted in reasonable quantities above 100 ml but must be declared and presented for inspection.
Packing tips: decant into leak-proof travel bottles, seal caps with tape or silicon stoppers, keep all liquid items in a single clear bag and place that bag in an outer compartment for quick removal, label decanted products, and retain receipts for duty-free purchases kept in tamper-evident packaging.
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Liquid rules: which cosmetics must fit the 100ml/1L clear bag
All liquid, gel and aerosol cosmetics in hand baggage must be in containers of 100 ml (or less) and fit inside a single transparent resealable 1‑litre bag; one bag per passenger.
Items that must be placed in that bag include: liquid foundations and tinted moisturisers, liquid concealers and primers, cream and gel blushes/highlighters, facial oils and serums, moisturisers and night creams, sunscreens, aftershave and cologne, perfumes and eau de toilette, mascara, liquid eyeliners, liquid lip glosses and stains, nail polish and nail polish remover, aerosol deodorants, hair sprays, mousses, gels and styling serums, face masks and cleansing gels, micellar water, toners and liquid removers.
Products usually allowed outside the clear bag: solid sticks and bars (solid lipstick, solid deodorant, bar soap, solid shampoo bars), pressed powders, powder bronzers/highlighters and compact foundations. Cream-to-powder formulas, balms that soften at room temperature and any product described as a “cream”, “gel” or “oil” must go inside the 1‑litre bag.
Medicinal liquids and baby food are exempt from the 100 ml limit but must be declared at screening and may require proof (prescription, packaging or explanation). Duty-free liquids purchased after security are permitted through the gate only if they remain sealed inside the tamper‑evident bag with the original receipt; keep that sealed bag accessible for transfers and final screening.
Practical steps: decant larger bottles into clearly marked 100 ml travel containers, place the resealable bag in an easily removable pocket of your cabin bag for screening, verify container volumes (marked on the base), and avoid overstuffing the 1‑litre pouch so zipping is secure. For connecting flights, check the security rules at intermediate airports and keep receipts for any post-security purchases.
Creams, gels and aerosols: how to pack foundation, mascara and hairspray
Decant liquid foundation and cream concealers into small pump or twist-top jars with silicone gaskets, label each container, wipe threads clean, then secure lids with a strip of clear tape across the rim and place jars inside a sealed plastic pouch.
Mascara: keep tubes in their original packaging where possible; when refilling use refillable mascara tubes plus disposable wands. Wrap the tube cap with a short piece of clingfilm under the screw lid before closing to form an extra leak barrier, and store upright in a hard-sided cosmetic case to prevent crushing.
Aerosol styling products: swap aerosol cans for refillable pump misters or travel-size pump sprays. If a spray can is unavoidable, use small-format cans only, press the nozzle once onto a paper towel and tape the actuator, then replace the original cap. Consider purchasing large-volume hairspray at the destination to reduce risk of pressure-related seepage.
Solid or stick alternatives reduce liquid volume: cream-to-powder foundations in stick format, solid cream blushes, and balm-based concealers eliminate leak risk and speed security checks. For hair, travel wax sticks or pomade in a jar will replace several aerosol uses.
Packing technique: group cream/gel items together inside a clear, single-compartment pouch, lay flat inside the middle of a soft bundle of clothing for cushioning, and place fragile glass bottles into a rigid case. Put an absorbent cotton pad or folded tissue under lids to catch minor weeps.
Labeling and hygiene: mark decanted jars with product name and opening date; discard refills after 30–90 days depending on product type. Keep prescription topical creams separate and available for inspection with original prescription or packaging if requested.
Battery and heat-producing styling tools: cabin limits and airline requirements
Store spare lithium batteries in the aircraft cabin only; do not place loose spares in checked baggage and power off any styling device before screening.
Lithium battery limits and handling
Follow IATA Dangerous Goods rules adopted by most carriers: batteries up to 100 Wh are allowed in cabin without airline approval; batteries between 100–160 Wh require airline approval and are limited to two spare units; batteries > 160 Wh are prohibited. Calculate watt‑hours using: Wh = (mAh ÷ 1000) × V. Example conversions: 3.7 V × 2000 mAh = 7.4 Wh; typical 10,000 mAh power bank ≈ 37 Wh.
Pack spares so terminals cannot short: keep in original packaging, use individual plastic sleeves, or apply insulating tape over contacts. Installed batteries should remain inside the device, switched off, and protected from accidental activation (remove battery if removable and airline rules permit). Keep documentation or printed Wh ratings available for inspection.
Heat-producing styling tools: packing and screening
Allow irons, wands and cordless stylers to cool completely before packing. Empty any liquid reservoirs or detachable water tanks. Wrap tools in a heat-resistant pouch or layer of clothing to prevent damage and to isolate hot surfaces. Devices that use fuel cartridges or unregulated flammable fuel are forbidden.
At security checkpoints, present heat-producing appliances and any spare batteries if requested. Check the specific carrier’s prohibited items list before travel – some airlines require battery‑powered styling appliances to be carried in the cabin rather than checked. Failure to comply may result in confiscation or refusal to board.
Handling prohibited or restricted cosmetics at airport security (AU)
Separate all flammable, pressurised and sharp beauty items from your cabin bag and declare any doubts to screening staff before X‑ray inspection.
Flammable and pressurised products
- Common examples: nail polish, acetone-based removers, solvent adhesives, aerosol hairsprays with flammable propellants, lighter fluid.
- Packing rule: put solvent‑based or clearly flammable liquids in checked baggage whenever possible; if only cabin transport is available, expect surrender unless items meet carrier and security allowances.
- Labelling and packaging: keep original, sealed containers; use leakproof secondary containment (robust plastic tubes or heavy‑duty zip bags) and place absorbent material around bottles.
- At checkpoint: if an aerosol valve is damaged or a container is unknown/unlabelled, screening officers will refuse it. Offer to move the item to checked baggage, return it to a vehicle, or dispose of it at the checkpoint.
- Airline variance: some operators ban certain aerosols or solvents entirely – verify the airline’s hazardous goods list before travel.
Sharp accessories, seizure response and quick checklist
- Typical items: scissors (note: blades longer than about 6 cm are commonly prohibited in cabin), nail nippers, eyelash scissors, metal cuticle pushers, straight razors and replaceable‑blade razor cartridges.
- Actionable steps: put any sharp or blade‑type tool into checked baggage in a protective sheath; if only a cabin option exists, use a rigid case and notify security staff.
- If an item is seized: request a written receipt from security, note the screening officer’s name and the time, and contact the airport lost & found or airline desk for recovery options; many airports offer same‑day collection if the item can be transferred to hold baggage before departure.
- Quick pre‑travel checklist:
- Audit beauty kit for solvents, aerosols and blades.
- Move high‑risk items to checked bag or remove before screening.
- Retain original packaging and safety caps; label wraps where possible.
- Check airline hazardous goods guidance and airport security notices the day before departure.
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FAQ:
Can I take liquid makeup in carry-on luggage on flights from Australia?
Yes. Any liquid, gel or cream cosmetic must be in a container of 100 ml (or less) and all such containers need to fit inside a single transparent resealable plastic bag with a capacity of about one litre. Place that bag in your carry-on where it can be removed and shown at the security checkpoint. Prescribed medicines, baby milk and similar items can exceed 100 ml but should be declared and shown to security staff. Items bought at a duty-free shop after security are allowed in sealed bags with the receipt.
Are powder makeup items subject to the same limits as liquid products?
Powders, pressed powders, eyeshadows and dry brushes are not counted as liquids and are not subject to the 100 ml restriction, so you can usually carry them in carry-on without using the clear bag. Large amounts of powder-like substances may be opened for additional inspection, and some destination countries or specific flights may impose extra checks, so keep that possibility in mind. If you plan to fly to a country with specific rules, check that country’s aviation security guidance or ask your airline before you travel.
What practical packing tips will help me avoid having makeup confiscated at Australian security?
Use travel-size containers (100 ml or smaller) for foundations, creams, lotions and sprays, and place all of them together in a single one-litre clear resealable bag so they can be removed easily at screening. Transfer large perfume bottles or aerosol cans to checked baggage when possible. Choose solid or stick versions of products where available (solid deodorant, stick foundation, cream-to-powder formulations) to reduce the number of items that count as liquids. Keep prescription creams, inhalers and baby food in original packaging and have prescriptions or a brief note from your clinician ready to show if the items exceed the liquid limit. Buy perfumes or other liquids at duty-free after you pass security if you need larger quantities; keep the sealed bag and receipt. If you are unsure about a particular product, contact the airline or the airport security authority before travel to avoid surprises on the day of your flight.
