Can you take makeup in hand luggage thomas cook

Quick rule: solids (powder, pressed foundation, bar products, lipstick) may remain loose in the carry-on; liquid serum, cream foundation, mascara, liquid eyeliner, nail polish and aerosol hair products count as liquids/gels/aerosols and must meet the 100 ml/container + single 1‑litre bag requirement. Present that bag separately at security screening.

Aerosols with flammable propellants and large pressurised canisters are frequently banned or limited even in checked parcels; aerosol deodorants and travel-size hairspray under 100 ml are usually permitted in the cabin bag if sealed inside the clear bag. For checked parcels, follow the carrier’s limits on total aerosol volume per passenger.

Duty-free purchases sealed in a tamper-evident bag with the receipt dated the travel day are normally allowed in the cabin across many airports, but connecting flights that require re-screening can invalidate the seal – keep receipts and confirm transfer security rules before transit.

Medical liquids, prescribed medications, baby milk/formula and breast milk are exempt from the 100 ml limit but must be declared at security and may require testing; carry prescriptions, doctors’ letters or infant documentation to avoid delays.

Policies differ by airline and departure/transfer airport; verify the operator’s latest cabin baggage rules and the departure airport security guidance online or via customer service at least 24 hours before travel to avoid confiscation or last-minute packing changes.

Cabin cosmetics: immediate packing rule

Store all liquid and gel beauty items in containers of 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) or less, placed together inside a single transparent resealable plastic bag with a maximum volume of 1 litre; one such bag permitted per passenger and presented separately at security screening.

Specific item limits

Packing and screening tips

Place the clear bag at the top of the cabin carry item for quick removal at security; keep full-size bottles in checked baggage if exceeding limits. For flights departing the United States, avoid loose powders over 350 g in the onboard bag. Label prescription liquids and keep receipts for recent purchases (duty-free sealed purchases are accepted if the tamper-evident bag remains sealed and relevant proof is shown).

Liquid cosmetics subject to the 100 ml restriction

All cosmetic products in liquid, gel, cream, paste or aerosol form carried in the cabin must be in containers of 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) or smaller, with all containers fitting into a single transparent resealable bag of maximum 1 litre; any container over 100 ml should be placed in hold baggage.

Common items that count as liquids/gels/creams/aerosols

Liquid foundation, BB/CC creams, tinted moisturizers, liquid concealers, cream or liquid blush and highlighter, liquid bronzers, liquid eyeliners and brow gels, mascara, cream or liquid eyeshadows, lip gloss, liquid lipsticks and lip stains, nail polish and nail polish remover, perfume/cologne sprays and aftershave, hair spray, hair mousse, hair gels and serums, liquid deodorants and spray antiperspirants, sunscreens and tanning lotions, facial cleansers/cleansing oils, micellar water, toners, serums, face masks of creamy/gel consistency, makeup removers in liquid form, and toothpaste.

Packing and inspection tips

Check printed container volume; transfer larger items into clearly marked travel bottles of 100 ml or less. All containers must fit inside a single clear resealable bag (max 1 litre) and be presented separately at security. Multiple small containers are allowed if the bag closes fully. Duty‑free liquids purchased after security remain permitted if kept in the sealed tamper‑evident bag with receipt; otherwise they count toward the 100 ml rule. Solid sticks (lipstick, solid deodorant) and powder compacts are not subject to the 100 ml restriction, while aerosols are treated as liquids and therefore included in the limit.

How to pack foundation, concealer and liquid highlighters in carry-on

Place liquid foundation, concealer and liquid highlighters in leakproof travel containers, seal openings with plastic film or tape, and store upright inside a rigid, padded case to prevent spills and breakage.

Step-by-step packing routine

1. Transfer: move products from large bottles into travel-grade silicone tubes, pump bottles with inner seals, or sample glass vials with tight caps. Use a syringe or dropper for accurate transfer and avoid overfilling.
2. Seal: cover pump/nozzle openings with a square of cling film pressed under the cap, then screw cap down. Wrap the cap thread with a single wrap of waterproof tape for extra security.
3. Cushion: place each container in a small padded pouch or wrap in soft clothing; use a hard-shell cosmetics case for glass items.
4. Absorb: insert a folded facial tissue or compressed cotton pad under caps inside the pouch to absorb minor leaks.
5. Contain: double-bag liquids – first in an inner resealable clear pouch, then inside the hard case or a second resealable pouch.
6. Position: keep the packed case in the aircraft cabin bag’s center compartment and store upright where possible to reduce pressure-induced seepage.

Product-specific tips

• Liquid foundation: prefer silicone squeeze tubes or airless pump mini-bottles. For full-coverage formulas, decant only the quantity needed for the trip to minimise weight and spill risk.
• Concealer: cream concealers transfer well into 5–10 g travel pots; fill to two-thirds capacity to allow thermal expansion. Stick concealers are the safest alternative.
• Liquid highlighters: use dropper vials or tiny pump bottles; cap with an extra layer of tape. Consider mixing a small amount into a solid balm or cream base before travel to avoid carrying a separate liquid.
• Glass packaging: transfer to plastic if available. If retaining glass, wrap each bottle in bubble wrap and place between folded garments inside the hard case.
• Solid substitutions: carry foundation sticks, cream-to-powder compacts or powder highlighters to eliminate liquid handling altogether.

Pack a spare empty vial and a roll of medical tape in the case for emergency resealing during the journey.

Aerosols, hairsprays and setting sprays: cabin rules for the carrier

Recommendation: only aerosol cans that meet cabin liquid limits (100 ml / 3.4 fl oz per container) and are not labelled as flammable should be carried in cabin bags; pressurised sprays with flammable propellants are normally banned from the cabin and may also be forbidden in checked consignments.

Identification and screening

Check each can for a flame pictogram, the words “flammable” or “extremely flammable”, and UN number UN1950. Security agents treat pressurised aerosols with flammable propellants as dangerous goods; if any of those markings appear, expect refusal at the checkpoint. Keep original caps in place and present sprays separately from other items during X‑ray screening.

Packing options and alternatives

If a favourite hairspray or setting mist exceeds permitted volume or is marked flammable, switch to a pump spray, a solid styling product, or purchase the product after arrival. Decanting into approved travel bottles (labelled, leak‑proof, ≤100 ml) and double‑sealing reduces spill risk. For larger aerosol cans that are not flammable some carriers accept them in checked baggage under their dangerous‑goods limits–confirm with the airline’s DG guidance before dispatch. For unrelated travel equipment guidance see best pressure washer without an outside tap.

How to carry powders, loose pigments and bronzers through airport security

Store loose powders in clearly labeled containers of 350 mL (12 fl oz) or less and place them in a single clear resealable plastic bag for screening; items above that volume risk secondary inspection or refusal from cabin baggage.

Packing methods

• Use small screw-top plastic jars (3–30 mL) for pigments; typical travel portions: 1–5 g for intense pigments, 5–15 g for bronzers and finishing powders.
• Press loose powder into empty compacts: sprinkle powder into pan, add 70% isopropyl alcohol drop by drop until damp, press with a coin wrapped in tissue, let dry 24–48 hours to form a solid cake.
• Line lids with a single layer of cling film or use a cotton pad under the lid to absorb movement and prevent powder dusting during transit.
• Prefer plastic jars over glass to reduce breakage risk during handling; choose screw lids with silicone gasket for better seal.
• Place each jar or compact upright, separated by foam or bubble wrap, inside a small box or padded pouch to prevent crushing and powder clouds.

Security procedures and on-screening actions

• Present the clear bag separately at the security checkpoint if requested; loose powders may be pulled for additional inspection.
• Powders exceeding 350 mL are likely to trigger extra screening; plan to move oversized tins into checked baggage before arrival at the airport.
• Keep purchase receipts or labels for expensive pigments and bronzers to help resolve queries from officers.
• Avoid mixing multiple pigments in one container; label each container with product name and approximate weight (g) to ease inspection.
• If an item is rejected, have pre-packed alternatives: compressed compact, sample pot under 5 g, or a pressed substitute.

Travel checklist item: compact, weatherproof essentials such as a folding umbrella fit into the same compartment as pressed compacts – consider best choice patio umbrella 7ft and best sturdy outdoor umbrella for durable options in checked or cabin bags.

Bringing prescription topical medications and medicated skincare in carry-on

Keep prescription topical medications and medicated skincare in original pharmacy-labelled containers, stored in carry-on baggage and presented separately at security screening for inspection.

Documentation and labelling

Carry the original prescription and a brief clinician’s letter stating diagnosis, drug name (generic and brand), dosage form and required quantity for the trip. Pharmacy dispensing labels must match the traveller’s name where possible. If travelling internationally, include an English translation or a printable summary of active ingredients. Avoid decanting creams, ointments or serums into unlabelled jars; unlabeled containers frequently trigger additional screening or confiscation.

Screening, quantity and presentation

The 100 ml (3.4 fl oz) restriction for passenger liquids applies to routine cosmetic products; medically necessary creams and ointments exceeding that size are normally permitted after declaration and inspection. Present larger medicated items separately during security checks and expect X-ray screening, visual inspection or swab tests. Carry a quantity aligned with trip length plus a margin for delays; excessive amounts without supporting documentation may be questioned by security or airline staff. Keep all medicated items accessible in a clear pouch and have prescriptions ready for verification.

For temperature-sensitive formulations, pack in an insulated case with gel packs that are fully frozen at screening time; partially thawed packs may be treated as liquids. For aerosols or pressurised medicated sprays, retain original labelling and check airline-specific restrictions before travel. Maintain a duplicate set of crucial topical treatments in checked baggage only if loss of cabin items will not compromise health; otherwise retain primary supply in carry-on.

Managing cosmetics during transfers with differing security rules

Pack all liquids, gels and aerosols in containers of 100 ml (3.4 oz) or less and place them in one clear resealable bag that is easy to remove for screening.

If the itinerary requires re-screening after a transit (leaving the sterile zone, clearing immigration or passing a separate checkpoint), stow liquids that exceed limits in checked baggage before entering the second checkpoint or keep only travel-size items for the remainder of the journey.

Duty-free purchases must be kept in a sealed tamper-evident bag with the receipt visible; if a connection involves extra security that may require opening that bag, either transfer the item to checked baggage at the transfer desk or decline the purchase. Retain proof of onward travel when buying duty-free for a sealed-bag exemption.

Powders larger than 350 ml (12 oz) are subject to additional screening in some countries (notably the United States) and may be required to go into checked baggage if screening cannot resolve density/consistency. Pack bulky bronzers, loose pigments and refill-size face powders in checked storage when transiting through airports known for strict powder checks.

Prepare a dedicated cosmetic travel kit with clearly labelled travel-size bottles, sturdy screw-top jars for creams and a small pump for foundations; seal jars with tape or plastic wrap under the lid to prevent leakage during multiple screenings. Photograph valuable items and inventory contents before departure in case of loss or seizure.

Quick transit checklist: keep all ≤100 ml items in one clear bag; retain duty-free in sealed tamper-evident bag with receipt; move oversized liquids or powders to checked baggage before re-screening; verify transfer airport security rules and allow extra time for repeat checks.