Yes, makeup is allowed in hand luggage; liquids and gels must follow the 3-1-1 rule, powders above 12 oz can face extra screening, and sharp tools have size limits.
Bringing Makeup In Hand Luggage: Quick Rules
Makeup can fly in your carry-on. Liquids, gels, creams, and pastes sit in one quart-size bag, with each container at 100 ml or 3.4 oz. In the UK and across most of Europe, the limit is the same at many airports, though a few hubs with newer scanners now permit larger amounts. Rules vary by airport and route, so check both ends of your trip.
For fast checks, pack liquid makeup together and keep solids separate. Place sprays and pump bottles in the bag as well. Keep a simple layout, and you’ll breeze through.
| Product Type | Carry-On Rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid foundation, BB/CC cream | Up to 100 ml per item | Goes in the quart bag |
| Mascara, lip gloss, liquid lipstick | Up to 100 ml per item | Counts as liquid |
| Solid lipstick, lip balm stick | No size limit | Pack outside the liquid bag |
| Pressed powder, blush, bronzer | No size limit | Keep lids tight |
| Loose powder jars | Allowed | Over 12 oz may need extra screening |
| Makeup remover wipes | Allowed | Not treated as liquid |
| Setting spray, aerosol dry shampoo | Up to 100 ml per item | Cap the nozzle |
| Nail polish | Up to 100 ml per item | Seal tightly |
| Scissors | Carry-on if small | US: < 4 in from pivot; UK/EU: ≤ 6 cm blades |
| Disposable razors | Allowed | Keep blade covered |
Want the official wording? See the TSA 3-1-1 liquids rule and the UK page on liquids in hand luggage for current limits.
What Counts As A Liquid, Gel, Or Paste
Anything that pours, squeezes, pumps, smears, or spreads goes in the bag. That includes foundation, tinted moisturizer, primers, concealer, nail polish, mascara, liquid or gel liner, setting spray, toothpaste, and makeup remover liquids. Travel sizes keep you under the limit, but container size is what matters, not how much remains inside.
Stick products are easier. Lipstick, balm sticks, solid fragrance balms, and push-up sunscreens can ride outside the bag. They pack small and never leak.
Powders And Solid Makeup
Pressed compacts sail through. Loose powders also fly, yet a big jar can slow screening. In the US, powder-like items over 12 oz or 350 mL may be opened and swabbed. If the officer can’t clear the jar, it may stay behind. Keep large tubs in checked bags or split them into small travel pots.
Eyeshadow palettes with pans are fine in a carry-on. Cushion foundations, though sponge-based, count as liquids, so treat them like a bottle.
Aerosols, Sprays, And Flammables
Toiletry aerosols such as hair spray, dry shampoo, deodorant spray, and setting mists can ride in the cabin only if each can is 100 ml or less. Bigger cans belong in checked bags, and there the FAA sets a separate limit across all aerosols per person. Always fit a cap or lock the nozzle so nothing triggers mid-flight.
Non-toiletry aerosols, like spray paint or industrial cleaners, are a no-go in both bags. For beauty, pick the toiletry versions and keep caps on.
Tools: Scissors, Razors, Tweezers
Small grooming tools are fine with a few size checks. In the US, scissors under four inches from the pivot can stay in your cabin bag. In the UK and many EU airports, the limit is blades no longer than six centimeters. Disposable and fixed-cartridge razors are cabin-safe; loose blades, safety razor heads, and straight razors go in checked bags. Tweezers and nail files are allowed.
Eyelash Curlers And Heated Gadgets
Regular curlers pack anywhere. Battery or gas-powered stylers, including cordless straighteners and curling wands, must ride in carry-on only, with a safety cover on the hot end. Spare lithium batteries also stay in the cabin. If you use a butane cartridge tool, bring only the unit itself and keep it capped.
Packing Strategy That Speeds Security
A little prep saves time. Aim for a neat, visible layout so officers can see everything at a glance. Group like items, avoid mystery containers, and label decants.
- Pre-bag your liquid makeup in one clear quart pouch; zip it shut.
- Place powders and solids on top of your bag for easy access.
- Swap bottles for sticks when possible to cut liquids.
- Use leak-proof travel bottles; tighten lids and add tape if needed.
- Cap every spray and pump; lock the nozzle where possible.
- Pack wipes for remover and hand clean-ups; they don’t count as liquid.
- Keep tools in a slim kit; add a guard for any sharp edge.
Carry a tiny spare pouch for duty-free or gate-bought items, then move them to your main quart bag before screening on connections. Keep receipts for sealed duty-free if you plan to transfer.
| Carry-On Kit | Example Size | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation or skin tint | 30 ml tube | Under the limit, packs flat |
| Mascara | 8–10 ml | Liquid, fits the bag |
| Concealer | 10 ml wand | Targeted use, less waste |
| Setting spray | 30–50 ml | Travel atomizer with cap |
| Powder compact | One pan | Solid, cabin-friendly |
| Blush/bronzer stick | Standard stick | Counts as solid |
| Lipstick + balm | Full size | No liquid bag needed |
| Remover wipes | 10-pack | Not liquid, quick clean |
| Mini dry shampoo | ≤ 100 ml | Aerosol with cap |
| Tiny scissors | < 4 in blade | US cabin-safe |
Regional Notes You Should Know
US airports follow the quart-bag rule at checkpoints nationwide. Some lines use CT scanners that may let your bag stay closed, yet the liquid limits remain unless posted. For powders, the 12 oz screening trigger mainly applies on flights bound for the US from abroad. Domestic legs can still flag very large jars, so keep sizes modest.
In the UK and the EU, 100 ml containers inside a one-liter bag remain the plan in most terminals. A growing list of airports with new scanners now allows up to two liters of liquids without bagging, but that setup isn’t universal. You might pass one way and revert to 100 ml on the return. When in doubt, pack for the stricter rule.
Edge Cases: Nail Gear, Fragrance, And Removers
Nail polish counts as a liquid and fits the bag in travel sizes. Remover in a bottle is liquid; pick small pads or wipes if you want to save space. Small glass fragrance bottles at 30–50 ml travel well; use a leak-proof atomizer and keep it in the bag. Gel nail lamps are fine in both bags; the issue is liquids and sharp tools, not the lamp.
Makeup remover wipes sail through and are handy on board. Micellar water and oil cleansers ride in the quart pouch. A balm cleanser in a stick or pot frees space, since balms are solid.
Sample One-Bag Layout
Lay items flat inside the quart pouch: one foundation tube, one concealer wand, one mascara, one travel spray, one mini dry shampoo, one small fragrance, plus any skin care you need. Outside the pouch, carry a powder compact, blush or bronzer stick, lipstick, balm stick, and your tool kit. Keep the pouch on top of your carry-on so you can pull it in seconds.
Final Checks Before You Fly
Scan your kit the night before. Remove any bottle over 100 ml. Cap every aerosol and pump. Measure scissors, and stash any razor blades with your checked bag. Keep wipes handy. If you carry a cordless styler, place it in your cabin bag with a cover and pack any spare batteries in cases. With a tidy setup, your makeup travels light and passes quickly.