Roberta Aguirre
The rules around what counts as a liquid at airport security vary from airport to airport, leaving passengers confused. Generally, any liquids you take through security in your hand luggage must be packed in a single transparent, resealable plastic bag, in containers of 100ml or less. While stick deodorant and lipstick are not listed as liquids, some airports may treat them as such, requiring you to place them in your liquids bag. Solid lipsticks are allowed in your carry-on with no limits, but liquid lipsticks must go into the plastic bag.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lipstick considered a liquid | Varies from airport to airport, but generally not considered a liquid. |
| Lipstick allowed in hand luggage | Yes, but some airports may require it to be placed in a clear plastic bag with other liquids. |
| Clear plastic bag size | 20cm x 20cm |
| Container size | 100ml or less |
| Total liquid allowance | 1 litre |
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What You'll Learn
Lipstick is a solid, not a liquid
The Department for Transport (DfT) sets the hand luggage rules that airports follow. According to the DfT, liquids include foundation, setting spray, primer, concealer, cream blush, lip gloss, and glitter gel. However, the DfT has refused to provide more detailed guidance on what is included in the 'cosmetics and toiletries' category, leaving passengers unsure about how to pack certain items.
As a result of the ambiguity in the rules, it is recommended that passengers assume that any item with a creamy or gel-like texture will need to be placed in the liquids bag. This would include items such as eyeliner, eyebrow gel, mascara, and cream eyeshadow. Powders and powder blushes are generally allowed in carry-on luggage without needing to be placed in the liquids bag.
To avoid any issues at airport security, it is advisable to check the latest travel advice and guidelines provided by the specific airport you are travelling from.
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Lip gloss is a liquid
Lip gloss is considered a liquid by airport security standards, and it must be packed in a clear, resealable plastic bag along with other liquids and semi-solids. This bag should be separate from your hand luggage and will be screened separately. The plastic bag must be approximately 20cm x 20cm, and each liquid container inside must be 100ml or less.
While the rules for liquids can vary slightly between airports, it is generally recommended to play it safe and assume that lip gloss will be considered a liquid. This is because the consequences of not doing so could mean having to throw away items at security.
It is worth noting that regular lipsticks are generally not considered liquids and can be carried in hand luggage without restrictions. However, liquid lipsticks are an exception and fall under the same category as lip gloss, so they must be placed in the liquids bag.
When in doubt, it is always best to check the latest travel advice and guidelines provided by the specific airport or transport authority you are flying from.
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Rules vary across airports
In Ireland, Dublin Airport includes foundation, setting spray, primer, concealer, cream blush, lip gloss, and glitter gel in its list of items that must be placed in the liquids bag. However, regular lipsticks are allowed in carry-on luggage without restriction.
In the US, the TSA classifies solid deodorant and lipstick as solids, so neither needs to go in the liquids bag. However, liquid lipsticks and lip glosses are subject to the same rules as liquids.
Given the variation in rules across airports, it is always worth checking the website of the specific airport you are travelling through to get the latest travel advice.
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The TSA's 3-1-1 rule
The Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) 3-1-1 rule is a regulation that governs the carrying of liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, and pastes (LAGCAPs) in carry-on luggage. The rule is in place to ensure the safety of passengers and crew onboard airplanes, as these substances have the potential to be flammable or explosive. The rule allows travellers to pack liquids, gels, creams, aerosols, and pastes in 3.4-ounce (100ml) containers in their carry-on bags. Each passenger is allowed one quart-sized clear plastic bag, and all containers must be placed inside it.
The 3-1-1 rule also applies to food, meaning travellers must ensure that any foods that are liquids, gels, or pastes are less than 3.4 ounces or packed in checked baggage. This includes foods such as yoghurt, peanut butter, pâté, jams, and sauces. However, there are some exemptions, such as frozen foods and juice for babies, and the TSA's website provides specific guidance on various items.
It is important to note that the definition of "liquid" can vary between airports, and even within the same country. For example, in the UK, different airports have different rules regarding whether cosmetics such as lipstick, eyeliner, and solid deodorant are considered liquids. Therefore, it is always advisable to check the latest travel advice and the specific rules of the airport and TSA before packing.
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Liquids must be in a clear, resealable bag
Since 2006, there have been strict rules about what liquids you can take through airport security and onto an aeroplane due to concerns about liquid explosives. While the rules are clear about the type of container and bag you can use, there is ambiguity around what counts as a liquid, especially when it comes to cosmetics and toiletries.
The rules for flying with liquids in your hand luggage are as follows: All liquids, gels, and aerosols must be under 100ml each and packed in a clear, resealable plastic bag, no larger than 20cm x 20cm. Passengers can only pack one of these clear bags of products in their hand luggage, with a limit of one bag per person. This clear plastic bag should be removed from your hand luggage and placed clearly in the tray provided.
When it comes to cosmetics and toiletries, the rules are less clear. While some items like liquid soap, mouthwash, toothpaste, saline solution, and hairstyling gel are obviously liquids, others like lipstick, eyeliner, and deodorant exist in a grey area. For example, Manchester Airport says 'lipsticks, lip balms, and stick deodorants' aren't liquids and don't need to be bagged, while East Midlands Airport insists that lipsticks and lip balms must go in the plastic bag. Gatwick allows solid deodorants and lipsticks to stay unbagged, but Southend counts a 'treated solid' as a liquid, which means any unbagged balm or beauty stick could be confiscated.
To avoid confusion and the risk of having to throw items away, it's best to assume that any cosmetics or toiletries with a cream or gel texture will need to go in the clear plastic bag. Regular lipsticks are generally allowed in your carry-on without needing to be placed in the liquids bag, but liquid lipsticks and lip glosses must go into the plastic bag.
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Frequently asked questions
The answer to this question varies depending on the airport. Some airports, like Manchester Airport, do not classify lipstick as a liquid, while others, like East Midlands Airport, do. It is best to check with the specific airport before travelling.
If the airport you are flying from considers lipstick a liquid, you will need to put it in a clear, resealable plastic bag. This bag should be no larger than 20cm x 20cm.
No, there are no restrictions on the number of regular lipsticks you can carry in your hand luggage. However, liquid lipsticks are considered liquids and must be placed in the plastic bag, adhering to the liquid allowance restrictions.
The liquid allowance restrictions vary depending on the airport and country. In the UK, the liquid allowance restriction is typically 100ml per container, with a total of 1 litre across all liquids. In the US, the restriction is 3.4 ounces (about 100ml) per container.
