Yes—makeup is allowed in hand luggage; liquids, gels, creams and pastes must follow the 3-1-1 (100 ml) rule, while solid makeup can ride outside the clear bag.
Airports see makeup kits every day. The rule is simple: liquids go small and in one clear bag; solids can stay loose. With a few packing tweaks, you breeze through security and keep your routine intact.
Hand Luggage Makeup Rules At A Glance
| Makeup Item | Liquid Or Solid? | Carry-On Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Mascara | Liquid | ≤ 100 ml and inside the 1-quart clear bag |
| Liquid Foundation | Liquid | Decant to ≤ 100 ml; in the clear bag |
| Cream Concealer | Cream | Counts as liquid; in the clear bag |
| Lip Gloss | Liquid | Travel size; in the clear bag |
| Lipstick / Balm Stick | Solid | Carry freely; cap it |
| Pressed Powder / Compact | Solid | Carry freely; big powder jars may be screened |
| Setting Spray | Liquid / Aerosol | ≤ 100 ml; in the clear bag |
| Makeup Wipes | Not liquid | Carry freely |
| Makeup Remover | Liquid | ≤ 100 ml; in the clear bag |
| Nail Polish | Liquid | Small bottles allowed; seal well |
What Counts As A Liquid Under 3-1-1?
Security treats liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols the same. That includes liquid foundation, mascara, lip gloss, cream blush, and balm in a tube. These must fit inside one resealable quart-size bag, with each container ≤ 3.4 oz / 100 ml. See the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule for the full list.
Solids And Powders
Pressed powder, brow pencils, lipstick bullets, and solid balm sticks are fine outside the liquids bag. Large powder containers may be screened on their own; anything around 12 oz / 350 ml or more can trigger extra checks, so keep only what you need in your carry-on.
Bringing Makeup In Your Carry-On: A Quick Checklist
- Sort items: liquids and creams in the quart bag; solids outside.
- Decant big bottles into travel containers labeled in ml or oz.
- Snap caps tight and add a strip of tape to stop leaks.
- Use a stand-up pouch so the bag sits flat in the tray.
- Keep the liquids bag at the top of your tote for easy reach.
- Pack backups in checked luggage if you need full-size bottles.
Rules Across Countries
Most regions follow the same 100 ml cap at security checkpoints. In the UK, most airports still apply the 100 ml limit, though a few with next-gen scanners allow larger containers up to two litres; policies vary by airport. Check the official UK liquids guidance before you fly. On return, your departure airport’s rules apply, so pack for the stricter side.
Common Makeup Items And Where They Go
Face
Liquid foundation: travel-size bottle or a small pump pot in the quart bag. Cushion compacts usually count as liquid; treat them the same.
Concealer: wand or cream pot goes in the bag. Stick concealers can ride outside.
Powder and bronzer: pressed pans are fine in your kit; loose powder jars may be screened if large.
Eyes
Mascara: liquid, so bag it. Mini tubes are perfect.
Eyeliner: pencil is fine; liquid pen or gel pot belongs in the bag.
Lash glue: counts as liquid; bring the mini tube if you can.
Lips
Lipstick: solid, so no liquids bag needed. Keep a cap on to prevent smears.
Lip gloss and oil: these are liquids. Keep to travel size.
Skin Prep
Moisturizer, sunscreen, primer: liquids or gels; keep each to ≤ 100 ml. Stick sunscreen can stay outside the bag.
Makeup remover: micellar water and liquid removers go in the bag. Wipes are fine outside.
Finishing
Setting spray: travel bottle only; in many places it is treated the same as any liquid. If it is an aerosol, keep it small and capped.
Setting powder: pressed is easy; loose tubs can prompt extra screening if oversized.
Nails
Nail polish: tiny bottles fit the liquids rule. Pack only what you will use and seal them in a side pouch. Remover is a liquid; carry travel size in the bag, or pack it in checked luggage.
Carry-On Liquid Limits By Region
| Region | Typical Limit | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 3-1-1 (100 ml per item) | One quart-size bag of liquids, gels, creams, pastes, aerosols |
| United Kingdom | Usually 100 ml | Some airports with upgraded scanners allow bigger containers |
| European Union | 100 ml | Liquids in a 1-litre clear bag at security |
| Canada | 100 ml | Rules mirror the US in most cases |
| Australia / New Zealand | 100 ml | Liquids in a 1-litre clear bag |
Packing Tips That Keep Your Kit Safe
Pick leak-resistant containers with screw tops. Leave a little headspace so pressure changes do not push product past the seal. Add a small roll of washi tape for lids and pumps. Slip cotton rounds inside powder compacts to cushion the pan. Put the whole liquids bag in a flat pocket to stop it from bursting under weight.
Solid Swaps That Save Space
Swap liquid items for solids where you can: stick foundation, solid cleanser, balm cleanser, solid perfume, and stick sunscreen. These travel well, count as solids, and free room in the liquids bag for the items that must be in there.
Checked Bag Vs Hand Luggage For Makeup
Carry daily essentials and fragile palettes with you. Pack full-size bottles, backup remover, and spare nail polish in your checked bag. If you carry aerosols in checked baggage, stay within airline and aviation limits, keep caps on, and cushion them to prevent dents.
Makeup Brushes And Tools
Brushes and sponges fly in carry-ons every day. Eyelash curlers are fine. Tweezers are allowed. Small scissors with blades under about 4 inches from the pivot point are allowed in many places; longer blades belong in checked baggage. Sheathe sharp tips so they do not snag a bag inspection.
Build A Leak-Safe Quart Bag
A balanced bag fits around eight to ten travel bottles, depending on shape. A handy mix: mini cleanser, travel moisturizer, sunscreen, foundation, mascara, eyeliner pen, gloss, remover, and a tiny setting spray. Label each bottle so officers and you can see what is inside at a glance.
Spill-Proof Decanting
Use silicone funnels for creams and gels. Pop a bit of plastic wrap under a cap before sealing for an extra layer. Choose flip-top lids for quick use in the cabin and pumps for leak control. Bring a few spare jars so you can refill from hotel amenities if needed.
At Security: What Officers Expect
Take the quart bag out only when asked. Place any big powder jar in its own tray. Keep electronics separate if required at your airport. Be ready to answer simple questions about any decanted items. A clear, tidy kit usually sails through without a manual check.
Duty-Free And Transfers
Anything you buy after security is fine to bring on board. If you have a connection, keep duty-free liquids sealed in the tamper-evident bag with the receipt inside. Some transfer points require that seal to stay intact until you reach your final destination.
Makeup For Long Haul Flights
Cabin air is dry. Pack a hydrating mist in travel size, a balm stick, and a creamy lip product. Skip glass jars if you can. Keep a tiny brow pencil and a pressed powder for quick touch-ups before landing. A soft zip case protects compacts from turbulence.
Sizing, Labels, And Partially Filled Bottles
Container size, not the amount inside, is what counts at the checkpoint. A 150 ml bottle that is only half full will not pass. Look for containers stamped 100 ml or less. If you rely on pumps, decant into 30 ml airless bottles and pack a spare so you do not run out mid-trip.
Smart Makeup Packing, Zero Stress
Split your kit: keep daily items with you and stash extras in checked baggage. Use solids where you can, label travel bottles, and cap aerosols. With the liquids bag prepped and your tools packed safely, you clear security fast and step off the plane ready to shine.