Makeup Items: Eyeliner, Mascara, Lipstick
Liquid or gel-based makeup counts toward the 100ml rule; compact powders are exempt.
Liquid or gel cosmetics—mascara, eyeliner, foundation, liquid lipstick—count towards the 100ml liquids rule. Powders, pencils, and solid sticks are exempt but should stay capped to avoid smudging.
Key highlights
- Store mascara, liquid eyeliner, foundation, concealer, and lip gloss inside the 1L zip pouch.
- Keep each container 100ml or smaller; travel minis are safer.
- Label skincare vs makeup to avoid confusion during inspections.
When in doubt, treat makeup like science class: if it pours, smears, or oozes, it belongs in the quart-sized liquids pouch. Officers see hundreds of cosmetic kits daily; organised kits sail through while messy ones cause rescans.
Palettes with metal pans sometimes trigger extra screening because they look like stacked plates on the X-ray. Keeping them near the top of the bag and mentioning them upfront saves time.
Sharp items such as metal nail files or tweezers under 6cm usually pass, but anything longer or with a blade should travel in checked baggage. Always respect local rules if you’re connecting via airports with stricter policies (e.g., the UK often confiscates even small tools).
When allowed vs. when not
✅ When it's allowed
- •Carry a dedicated cosmetics pouch that unfurls at security for quick inspection.
- •Use stackable magnetic palettes to save space.
- •Pack blotting papers or solid balm perfumes to reduce liquid count.
🚫 When it's NOT allowed
- •Don’t carry acetone-based brush cleaners in cabin—they exceed flammable limits.
- •Don’t leave lipsticks uncapped; melted product looks suspicious on scanners.
- •Avoid carrying makeup knives or spatulas in cabin; they resemble blades.
Tools and palettes
- ✔Cover brush bristles with guards so they don’t look like wires.
- ✔Place palettes flat to avoid cracked powders.
- ✔Check sharp lash tools (metal curlers with blades) if unsure.
Makeup item cheat sheet
| Item | Cabin rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Liquid foundation | ≤100ml in pouch | Stick or powder versions are exempt |
| Powder compact | Allowed | May need separate screening |
| Makeup scissors | Check | Counts as sharp tool |
Frequently asked questions
Are cushion compacts treated as liquids?+
What about eyelash glue?+
Can I carry makeup in handbag and cabin trolley?+
Travel tips
- ✈️Place cotton pads inside powder compacts to prevent breakage.
- ✈️Use small silicone brush holders instead of metal cases that look like toolkits.
- ✈️Carry a multi-use tint stick to cut down on separate lipstick/blush containers.
Related guides
Official references
DGCA guidelines — simplified
Verified on: 6 Dec 2025
Disclaimer: Aviation and security rules change frequently. Always confirm with your airline, airport help desk, or CISF officers before you travel.