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Can You Bring Makeup on a Plane? All You Need to Know

We’ve all been there. As you approach the airport security with your clear plastic bag, you realize in horror that your large bottle of perfume is most definitely over 100ml. Despite the pleas, you are forced to part ways, no matter how new or expensive it is. With airport security seemingly increasing in restrictions, apparently being over the liquid limit is not the only thing that will have your essential travel makeup and toiletries confiscated. If you’re wondering whether you can bring makeup on a plane, you must now bear in mind that it is, in fact, no longer deemed acceptable for bottles and pots to be bulging out of the sides. Similarly, it is unacceptable to have your travel makeup spread across two clear plastic bags. These days, it is strictly one, fully sealed, far too small, clear plastic bag- a huge hurdle for us makeup lovers.

So, can you bring makeup on a plane and if so, what products? Keep reading for all you need to know.

summer holiday makeup

What makeup to pack for travel

To begin, the answer is yes, you can bring makeup on a plane. However, with travel makeup, it’s always the easiest option to go as light as possible. Therefore, try to find a travel size makeup alternative for products that you will only use a small amount of.

For example, you may swear that the Beyond Veil primer is a must to bring with you. However, bear in mind that you may only use a pea-sized amount to set your base. Therefore, the answer to your dilemma is the Illamasqua Beyond Veil Primer Mini. Another handy tip is that you can re-use the small tub to carry other liquids like cleansers or moisturisers on your next trip away!

Similarly, unless your travels are lasting over two weeks, it’s unlikely you’ll get through an entire tub of mascara. So swap your bulky version for travel size makeup, such as the Illamasqua Raven Masquara Mini. The same goes for lipsticks, lipglosses, and large tubs of eyeliner gel.

That’s not to say that these products aren’t essentials, they certainly are! You simply will not use the entire thing on your average, 1-2 week holiday. This way you can make room for those other products you may use in larger amounts, such as your foundation.

makeup bag with minis

How to organise your makeup bag for travel

We’ve clarified that you can bring makeup on a plane and we’ve discussed what exact travel makeup to bring with you. Now, it’s time to look at exactly how to organise your makeup bag for travel.

Firstly, invest in a brush belt. One of the huge, rookie mistakes that those setting off on their travels may make is taking up valuable clear plastic bag space with their brushes. Another rookie mistake is leaving the brushes in with a toiletry bag that’s being checked-in, simply due to hygiene reasons. With a brush belt, you can keep all of your favourite foundation and powder brushes safely in together and leave ample room for your liquids and creams.

A lesser-known fact that can do wonders to help organise your makeup bag for travel revolves around powders. According to TUIHolidays, powders under 12 ounces do not need to be included in your clear plastic bag for liquids. So, your bronzer, blush, and eyeshadow palettes can all be stored away in your usual makeup bag.

To break it down, your travel makeup bag should be divided into three parts:

  1. A clear plastic liquid bag containing your minis, creams and liquids under 100ml.
  2. A brush belt to keep your tools clean and separate.
  3. A makeup bag with all of your powders including setting powders, blush, bronzers, and eyeshadows.

Can you bring makeup on a plane with check-in?

Of course, if you are using a check-in bag, this makes matters much easier. You can rest assured knowing that you can bring multiple shades of foundation along with both your cream and powder blush, a lipstick for each mood and every other product in between. Whether you go for a 90s Grunge Makeup Look or a Y2K Look, you’ll have everything you need!

Can you take makeup in hand luggage?

So as you can imagine, check-in bags are most definitely our friends. However, on those shorter trips, it’s important to know what makeup you can take in hand luggage and how to pack it to prevent it being taken from you! Once you have narrowed down what you need, sourced the travel size makeup and know how to organise your makeup bag correctly, you can take makeup in hand luggage, hassle-free.

With everything packed and all of your travel makeup in order, now all that’s left is to find that passport. Enjoy your trip!

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Josie Wilkins

Josie Wilkins

Writer and expert

Josie is an online content creator with a degree in journalism. In her free time, she's jade-rolling or buying over-priced candles. When she's not doing either of those, she's digging deep to find the latest makeup essentials.