In this blog post, I’m giving you my best tips for traveling makeup in a carry on as a frequent flyer who almost always travels carry-on only. Between the limited luggage space and the even more limited liquid space that comes with traveling carry-on only, these makeup packing hacks are essential. First, let’s start with the basics.
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Do You Have To Put All Makeup In A Plastic Bag At The Airport?
No, not all makeup has to be put in a plastic bag at the airport. Only liquid makeup products need to be put in a plastic bag at the airport. If you recall, in the USA, every airline passenger is limited to one clear quart size bag of liquids, and each individual liquid product must be 3.4 ounces in size or smaller. While it’s a common misconception that all makeup products need to be sealed in the clear quart size bag at the airport, you actually only need to bag the liquid products. This will help you travel with makeup in a carry on immensely, as you’ll save a ton of liquid space for non-makeup products, such as toothpaste and skincare.
What Makeup Items Are Not Allowed On Planes?
Any makeup items that are liquid and over 3.4 ounces in bottle size are not allowed on planes when traveling with makeup in a carry on. As mentioned, all of your carry-on liquid products must also fit into one singular clear quart size bag. Luckily, most liquid makeup products can be replaced with solid, non-liquid versions, which makes this carry-on traveling rule much easier to follow. If you’re checking your makeup in checked luggage, these limits don’t apply. You can check as many liquid makeup products of any size as you want.
Do Makeup Bags Have To Be Clear For TSA?
No, makeup bags do not necessarily have to be clear for TSA. Again, not all makeup products have to be in a clear bag for TSA, only the liquid makeup products. So, if you want to use a separate clear plastic baggie for only your liquid products and keep your non-liquid makeup products in a non-clear makeup bag, that’s totally okay. In fact, that’s what I usually do when traveling with makeup in a carry on.
Get A Durable Clear Makeup Case
That being said, if you do choose to get a clear makeup case for TSA, I highly recommend you get a durable clear makeup bag that has lined edges along the zipper as opposed to a fully plastic makeup bag. I find that lined clear makeup bags are much more durable than cheap fully plastic makeup cases. For example, I love my Beis In-Flight Cosmetic Set that comes with two lined clear cases, one of which is quart size for TSA.
Keep Your Liquid Makeup Accessible In Your Carry On
No matter how you choose to pack your makeup for traveling in a carry on, make sure you keep your clear bag of liquids easily accessible in your carry on in case TSA asks you to remove the bag to go through security. I always pack my liquids bag right on top of my personal item so that I can easily unzip, remove the bag and re-zip without feeling like I’m holding the line. Trust me, this is a simple airport tip that makes security feel way less chaotic and rushed.
Trade Liquid Makeup Products For Solid Versions
Now, let’s talk about some genius travel makeup products that make traveling with makeup in a carry on so much easier. My first tip is to trade liquid makeup products for solid versions. You would be surprised at just how many makeup products can be replaced with solid versions, which ultimately frees up liquid space in your carry on for other personal care and skincare products. I’ll give a few specific examples now.
Use Powder Makeup Products Whenever Possible
First, use powder makeup products whenever possible, such as powder foundation, powder blush and powder bronzer. Honestly, I think you can skip liquid blushes and bronzers altogether. I find that powder blushes and bronzers are just as effective as their liquid alternatives. But, the powdered versions don’t count toward your carry on liquid allowance. I personally use Glo Skin Beauty’s powder foundation in shade natural fair, Glo Skin Beauty’s powder bronzer in shade sunkiss and Glo Skin Beauty’s powder blush in shade sweet.
Use Cream Concealer And Foundation
Unlike blushes and bronzers, I do find that powder foundations don’t provide quite as much coverage as liquid foundations and concealers. If you prefer more coverage than just powder foundation, I recommend packing cream concealer and foundation. As opposed to liquid foundations and concealers, creams are more solid. While official rules online are unclear whether cream foundations are considered to be true creams (like lotion or sunscreen), I personally find cream foundations to be more solid. I have never had an issue counting cream foundation as a solid at TSA. I use the Glo Skin Beauty cream concealer in shade sand, which provides medium coverage.
Fill Empty Lipgloss Tubes With Liquid Foundation
However, if you’re fully committed to liquid foundation, I still have a great makeup packing hack for you. Instead of packing the entire bulky bottle of liquid foundation, fill an empty lipgloss tube with your foundation. This should last most trip lengths and will save a lot of liquid allowance space in your carry on without buying an overpriced travel size version of your product. (Makeup hack credit to @laxtoluxury on Instagram!)
Trade Liquid Eyeliners For Pencil
Similar to face makeup products, trade liquid eyeliners for solid pencil eyeliners. If you’re seeing a theme here, you’re not crazy. Again, replacing your liquid makeup products for solid versions can make a huge difference when traveling with makeup in a carry on. Personally, I prefer using liquid eyeliner. So, if you’re like me, I recommend this Well People liquid eyeliner because it’s non-toxic, high-quality and comes in a tiny travel-friendly bottle that doesn’t take up much liquid allowance space. Although, this eyeliner is definitely not waterproof, so I don’t recommend it for swimming.
Use Lipstick, Lip Liner Or Chapstick
Next, use lipstick, lip liner, tinted chapstick or regular chapstick instead of liquid lipgloss when traveling in a carry on. Lipsticks, lip liners and chapsticks are solid makeup products, so they do not count toward your liquid allowance space. Whereas, lipgloss would need to be packed in your clear quart size baggie for TSA. I use this beeswax chapstick on a daily basis because it is acne-safe. Check out all of my acne-safe travel essentials in this blog post.
Can I Carry Lipstick In My Purse When Going Through TSA?
Yes, you can carry lipstick in your purse when going through TSA. According to TSA, lipsticks are considered solid, not liquid. So, they do not need to be removed at security.
Does Lipstick Need To Be In The 3-1-1 Bag?
No, lipstick does not need to be in the 3-1-1 clear quart size bag. TSA considers lipstick a solid product, so it is safe to pack in your carry on.
Keep Makeup Tools Clean With Separate Holders
A couple of years ago, I bought this travel makeup brush holder and this travel makeup sponge holder, and I haven’t traveled without either of them since. I love knowing that my makeup tools are staying clean in my luggage, no matter if I’m traveling with makeup in a carry on or in checked baggage.
Use Makeup Remover Wipes Or Towels
Obviously, it’s important to remove your makeup at night before going to bed. So, if you’re traveling with makeup, you’re probably traveling with makeup remover too. Instead of traveling with liquid makeup remover, swap your liquid product out for single-use makeup remover wipes, which are solid. Or, better yet, pack a makeup remover towel to avoid single-use waste. I use these makeup remover towels, and they work great. All you have to do is add water.
Pre-Soak Cotton Pads With Watery Products
Although, there is a way to turn some of your skincare products from liquid to solid to cut down on liquids packed. For all of your watery skincare products, such as makeup remover or toner (I use the Clove Hill Moisture Balancing Toner), presoak cotton pads in the product and seal the cotton bags in an airtight plastic bag before your trip. That way, you have at least one less liquid product to pack while traveling with makeup in your carry on. I prefer using 100% organic cotton pads like these to ensure I’m not putting any unnecessary, potentially acne-triggering chemicals to my skin.
Trade Non-Makeup Liquid Products For Travel Size Versions Too
Furthermore, one of the most overlooked makeup packing hacks is to swap your non-makeup liquid products for travel size versions. Not only should you swap out your makeup products for travel-friendly versions, but your skincare products and personal care products (toothpaste, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, sunscreen, etc.) too. This way, you’ll have more liquid space for your makeup and all other liquid products.
Pack Extra Clear Quart Size Baggies
Finally, my last tip for traveling with makeup in a carry on is to pack extra clear quart size baggies on your trip. Baggies are small and can easily be squeezed into any pocket, even if you’re a chronic overpacker like me. Not only is it nice to have baggies on hand for wet swimsuits or snacks for your travel day back home, but you’ll probably want a new baggie for your TSA liquids too. Because of the change in air pressure when flying, liquids often leak in flight and make a mess. It’s nice to have a clean clear baggie to repack for the flight home.
More Tips For Traveling With Makeup In A Carry On
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