Carrying cosmetics in hand luggage on an airplane

Is it possible to carry cosmetics in hand luggage?

Airlines allow cosmetics to be carried in hand luggage, with the exception of certain items classified as particularly dangerous.

Basic rules for transporting cosmetics in hand luggage:

Solid makeup products can be taken in any quantity within the general norm for weight or dimensions approved by the carrier's rules for passenger hand luggage.
Cosmetics with a liquid consistency are transported in containers with a volume of no more than 100 ml. One passenger can carry 1 liter of liquids in hand luggage.
All cosmetics must be packaged in a thick plastic bag or a special cosmetic bag.
Containers containing liquid products must indicate the nominal volume.
Airlines do not allow containers with liquid cosmetic compositions in bottles and bottles larger than 100 ml to be transported in the aircraft cabin, even if they are only half or a quarter full. During inspection, the volume indicated on the product labeling will be taken into account.

The category of liquids includes perfumes, creams, tonics, lotions, lip balms, deodorants, sprays, shampoos, conditioners, hair gels, toothpaste, as well as mascara and liquid eyeliner. You can read more about how to carry liquids in hand luggage and airplane luggage here.

10 very useful products for air travel

What is prohibited from taking on board an airplane?

In the passenger cabin, it is prohibited to carry potentially dangerous products as hand luggage, as well as cosmetics from the category of liquids in bottles and containers with a volume of over 100 ml.

What you cannot take in hand luggage:

Manicure set (contains cutting and piercing objects).
Deodorant sprays and hairsprays (the internal contents are under pressure).
Acetone for nail polish remover (highly flammable).

The above items can be carried in general checked baggage. Hairspray, aerosols, deodorant sprays and other formulations contained in a bottle under pressure are transported tightly closed.

You can carry cosmetics in containers up to 0.5 liters in checked baggage (total 2 liters per person). We also suggest that you find out whether it is possible to take deodorant, spray, or aerosol on the plane.

What happens in case of violations

Before boarding, all passengers, without exception, undergo a pre-flight inspection, which will identify any violations regarding the carriage of certain items in hand luggage.

If containers with cosmetic products with a volume of more than 100 ml are found in a passenger’s travel bag, he is required to transfer these compositions to general baggage. If a passenger travels without a suitcase or his weight has already reached the maximum limit, he will have to throw the bag away or send it to the airport storage room for a fee.

Similar requirements will be imposed on passengers whose carry-on luggage is found to contain potentially dangerous cosmetics and accessories.

List of prohibited items on the plane

The list of items that are prohibited from being carried in checked luggage and in hand luggage is noticeably different. Baggage requirements are less stringent: you cannot carry obviously dangerous things (explosives, ammunition, drugs, flammable, caustic and toxic substances). There are much more requirements for hand luggage, although here the safety of passengers comes first.

Here is a general list of what you cannot take on board an airplane in hand luggage :

explosive, toxic, flammable, caustic substances - these include a regular mercury thermometer and nail polish remover;
weapons, including souvenir and prop weapons (however, you can carry weapons in your luggage, so put a child’s machine gun or a pistol-shaped lighter in your suitcase);
piercing and cutting objects - these include scissors, files, razors, syringe needles, knitting needles and crochet hooks, metal table knives and forks, corkscrews, construction tools;
liquids with a volume of more than 100 ml (for details and exceptions, see the section “Carrying liquids in hand luggage”).

Detailed lists, often accompanied by infographics, can be found on the websites of airports and air carriers.

Airports have the right to soften or tighten the rules for carrying hand luggage. Increased security measures are resorted to on the eve of significant events (festivals, sporting competitions) or in connection with the threat of terrorist attacks.

Regulations in different countries allow airport authorities to introduce additional security requirements.

For example, Appendix No. 1 to the Rules for Pre-Flight and Post-Flight Inspections (RF)* states that Russian airports may prohibit taking knitting needles and nail scissors with a blade length of up to 6 cm into the aircraft cabin.

At the same time, some travelers confirm that they successfully passed security checks with such items in their hand luggage.

Many states, airports and airlines have additional lists of what items cannot be taken on planes. We recommend that you find out before your flight whether there are any special restrictions on transportation, so as not to run into trouble during check-in for the flight and going through security.

Cosmetics in luggage on a plane

Airlines do not have any special requirements for carrying cosmetics in checked baggage. The basic rule is compliance with the standards for the weight and dimensions of the suitcase in which all the traveler’s belongings are transported. If the travel accessory is large or its weight exceeds the permissible limits, the passenger will have to pay extra for excess weight or oversized luggage.

How to properly package cosmetic products

It is in the passenger’s interests to properly pack cosmetics carried in general baggage. Liquid formulations must be tightly closed, which will prevent them from leaking onto clothes and other things in the suitcase.

Check that powders and other dry powder cosmetics are sealed securely. If the package is opened, they may crumble and stain things.

Experts recommend packing all cosmetics in a separate plastic bag or a special cosmetic bag (preferably transparent). You can only take one set of cosmetics into the salon in a tightly closed accessory. If you are transporting cosmetics in general luggage, pack fragile products (for example, bottles of expensive perfume) among soft items in the middle part of the suitcase.

Be sure to comply with all carrier requirements for carrying cosmetics in checked baggage and hand luggage. For convenience, we recommend taking disposable cosmetics on the plane, packaged in miniature containers (these are usually provided in hotels). Before packing your makeup bag for the trip, think again about what products you should definitely take with you, and what you can leave at home or buy upon arrival in another city or country.

What not to take on board a plane

Liquids, gels, aerosols

Everyone knows (and many people are scared by it) about the restrictions on carrying liquids, gels, creams and aerosols in hand luggage. Restrictions apply to: water, drinks, pastes (including toothpastes), creams, oils, perfumes, lotions, sprays, gels, pressurized cans (including deodorants), mascara and other substances. There is no need to be alarmed: the transportation of these substances is permitted, but subject to certain conditions.

The main thing to remember is that the volume of one container with liquid should not exceed 100 ml. All this should ideally be packed in a special transparent plastic bag with a special zipper with a volume of no more than 1 liter . Indeed, why would you need, for example, 250 ml shower gel in the cabin of an airplane? Therefore, carefully consider what you take on board with you. If you still need the notorious shower gel, it’s easier to check it in your luggage and not bother. Also remember that each passenger is entitled to have only one such bag as hand luggage.

Remember that a bottle with a volume of, for example, 200 ml, only a quarter full, will be counted as 200 ml.

If you already have an open bottle of drink (it doesn’t matter whether it’s water or yogurt), it will be taken away. It is better to buy drinks after inspection - at duty free. The purchase must be packaged in a branded bag and sealed.

The exceptions are baby food and medicines.

Where is it calm and safe? Check out the list of the safest countries in the world - we compared countries by natural disasters, wars and terrorism, peacefulness and attitude towards tourists.

Any piercing or cutting objects

You cannot take needles, corkscrews, knives, scissors, knitting needles, penknives, etc. on the plane. It is better to check all this in your luggage so as not to buy it at your destination. Even seemingly innocent things like a nail file and nail scissors can arouse the suspicion of the security service.

Weapons and imitation weapons

We think that this point will not surprise anyone - for security reasons, no one will let you board the plane with a weapon. In addition, if you bought your child a toy gun and he does not want to part with it during the flight, alas, there will be problems. You will not be allowed into the cabin with an imitation weapon - you will either have to check it in as baggage or throw it away. I witnessed how at customs a child’s water pistol was taken away and thrown away.

Alcohol

Alcohol is allowed to be carried only in luggage (the norms for the export and import of alcoholic beverages depend on the countries from which you are departing and arriving). The exception is alcohol purchased in duty-free or on board an airplane.

Other items

Before your flight, we advise you to refer to the official website of your airline and the legislation of the country you are flying to and see what you cannot take on board the plane according to their rules - this may be due to quarantine or some events in the country. For example, in Russia in the winter and spring of 2014, absolutely all liquids were prohibited from being carried in hand luggage due to the terrorist threat during the Olympics held in Sochi.

17 necessary things when traveling >>

Before the flight

When you choose what cosmetics to take on a plane in your hand luggage, pay attention to the volume of cosmetics. The rules say that it should not be more than 100 ml. You will need to leave everything else in your luggage. You can purchase mini versions of the cosmetics you will need on the plane, or simply pour the required amount into special containers for travel. You will need to place all cosmetics in a clear plastic bag so that it can be checked if necessary.
In order to look your best after landing, it is important to eat right before you even board the plane. A few days before your flight, try to eat foods with minimal salt content. In addition, you need to remove excess fluid from your body, and to do this, include vegetable soup in your diet. Also, before the flight, try to thoroughly refuel with vitamin C, because on an airplane you can catch a cold quite easily, and the supply of vitamin C will not allow you to do this. This way, when you get off the plane, you will feel great, without a heavy stomach or puffy eyes.
Think about your hairstyle too. To make long hair look neat during the flight and after it, you can braid it in a braid or spikelet before the flight. And then after landing you won’t have to think about what to do with these “icicles” on your head.
It is recommended to choose clothing for the flight that is convenient and comfortable, does not restrict movement, and does not contain constricting belts. We recommend avoiding heels so as not to further increase the load on the veins.