Most people have their go-to makeup products – the ones they can’t live without – and that’s especially true while traveling. You want to bring your favorites so you can look your best as you’re traveling and experiencing the sights.
The good news is that you can bring makeup on planes. The downside is that if it’s liquid and you’re carrying on, you need to adhere to the 3-1-1 rule. Let’s explore the rule, what products qualify, and how you can get around it to bring all you need to capture your favorite looks.
Key Takeaways
- Liquid makeup qualifies under the 3-1-1 rule, which means all liquid items must be 3.4 ounces or less, fit in a one-quart-sized bag, and have only one bag per person.
- Solid makeup items do not need to be in a quart-sized bag, but all skincare and personal care items must also fit in the bag.
- If you have too many liquid items or they are too big, you can always place them in your checked bag, but there is always the risk of lost luggage.
- Travel-size versions of makeup products can be helpful in adhering to the 3-1-1 rule and saving space in your quart-sized bag.
- It’s important to be judicious with what you pack and to know the rules and regulations when it comes to bringing makeup on a plane to avoid having your items confiscated.
3-1-1 Rule And Makeup
Liquid makeup qualifies under the 3-1-1 rule when it comes to carry-on luggage. That means that all of your liquid items must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less, fit in a one-quart-sized bag, and have only one bag per person. All of your liquid items, including any makeup, fragrance, skincare, personal care items, and more, need to fit in this bag if you’re carrying on.
That bag can get quickly packed if you’re not careful, so the best thing you can do is skim down your products to the necessities, purchase travel-size versions where able, and when all else fails, put a small number of products in travel-friendly containers to help get you through.
This should suffice when it comes to short-term travel, but if your trip is longer, you may want to consider checking a bag. You are not subject to the same restrictions for liquid quantities when you check your luggage, though additional fees may apply for the bag itself.
What Is Liquid Makeup?
The definition of liquid when traveling is broad, so liquid makeup would be anything that is traditionally liquid, cream, gel, pastes, roll-ons, and so forth. If it’s not solid like a powder, it could be considered liquid. That includes but is not limited to foundation, concealer, gel or cream blushes, mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, and more.
Solid blushes, eyeshadow palettes, eyeliner crayons, makeup powder, and lipstick are considered solid and do not need to be packed in the quart-sized bag. They can stay in your regular makeup bag, but if you are questioning anything, it’s safer just to pack them in the bag than risk losing them.
Checking Your Luggage
If you have too many liquid items or they are too big, you can always place them in your checked bag. There is no limit to the makeup you can bring in your luggage. However, some people fear their checked bags getting lost, so they prefer to carry their make-up with them. At the end of the day, it’s your preference; however, do not exceed the 3-1-1 rule. If you do, your items will get confiscated.
If that’s the case, you’ll need to repurchase what was lost at the airport or at a local store. There are no exceptions for makeup.
So, Can I Bring Makeup On A Plane?
You can absolutely bring makeup on a plane in both your carry-on and your checked luggage. Most makeup products will naturally be less than 3.4 ounces, which makes them eligible to be carried on; however, you are limited to all of your liquids in one bag, so make sure to be judicious with what you pack.
Solid makeup items do not need to be in a quart-sized bag, so that can save some space; however, all skincare and personal care items must also fit in the bag, so keep that in mind as you pack. The best way to get around this is to pack your makeup in your checked bag. You don’t have access to it in flight, but you don’t have to worry about scaling your routine back.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the 3-1-1 rule?
The 3-1-1 rule applies to all liquid items carried on a plane. This means that all liquid items, including makeup, must be 3.4 ounces or less, fit in a one-quart-sized bag, and have only one bag per person.
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Can I bring liquid makeup on a plane?
Yes, you can bring liquid makeup on a plane if it adheres to the 3-1-1 rule.
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What is considered liquid makeup?
Liquid makeup includes traditionally liquid products, creams, gel, pastes, roll-ons, etc. That includes foundation, concealer, gel or cream blushes, mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, and more.
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Can I bring solid makeup on a plane?
Yes, you can bring solid makeup on a plane; it does not need to be in a quart-sized bag. This includes items such as powder makeup, solid blushes, eyeshadow palettes, eyeliner crayons, and lipstick.
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Can I bring full-sized makeup products on a plane?
Yes, you can bring full-sized makeup products on a plane if they adhere to the 3-1-1 rule or are placed in checked baggage.
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Should I pack my makeup in my carry-on or checked luggage?
You can pack your makeup in either your carry-on or checked luggage. If you pack it in your carry-on, make sure it adheres to the 3-1-1 rule. If you pack it in your checked luggage, there are no restrictions on size or quantity.
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What happens if I exceed the 3-1-1 rule?
If you exceed the 3-1-1 rule, your items will be confiscated at security. You can repurchase what was lost at the airport or at a local store, but there are no exceptions for makeup.
