Makeup is allowed on planes; liquid products in carry-on luggage must be in 100 ml containers and a single clear bag. Here's what counts as liquid and how to pack your bag.
Yes, you can bring makeup on a plane; however, liquid, cream, gel and aerosol products in carry-on luggage must each be in containers of no more than 100 ml and must fit into a single, resealable, transparent bag with a total capacity of 1 litre. Solid lipsticks are exempt from this restriction. This limitation does not apply to checked baggage.
In brief
- Makeup is allowed on planes; the liquid limit applies only to carry-on luggage.
- Liquid lipstick, mascara and foundation go in the bag; solid lipsticks are exempt from the restriction.
- Put large bottles in checked baggage; tighten caps and protect against leaks.
- Check your airline's current rules before your flight for transfers and special situations.
The essence of the rule: 100 ml containers and a single clear bag
Makeup items can be brought on a plane. The restriction is not about the product itself, but whether it falls into the liquid, gel and aerosol category in carry-on (hand) luggage.
In carry-on luggage, the following three conditions apply together:
- Each container must be 100 ml or less in volume.
- Containers must fit into a single transparent, resealable bag with a total capacity of 1 litre.
- The bag must be removable from your luggage and presented separately during the security check.
What matters here is the volume written on the container. Even if a large bottle has little product left in it, if the container itself is larger than 100 ml, it does not count as 100 ml for the purposes of the rule. The security officer looks at the label and size of the container.
This arrangement is based on the rules published by the civil aviation authority in Türkiye. Airlines and airports apply this framework; check their own pages before your flight to see whether they impose any additional conditions. Since solid products (such as solid lipstick, powder, or an eyeshadow palette) are not considered liquid, they do not need to go in the bag.
Which makeup products count as liquid?
In practice, the easiest way to decide is to check whether the product is flowing, creamy or spray-based. The makeup products subject to the restriction are:
- Foundation, BB cream, concealer (liquid and cream forms)
- Mascara, liquid eyeliner, liquid lipstick and lip gloss
- Face cream, lotion, serum, cleansing gel, micellar water
- Perfume and body spray
- Aerosols such as hair spray and dry shampoo
- Cream blush, cream highlighter and gel products
Those excluded from the restriction are products with a solid structure. Solid lipsticks are explicitly exempt from the restriction. Along the same lines, powder, pressed eyeshadow, blush and brushes are also not subject to the liquid rule.
Borderline products
Stick-form foundation, balms or pencil-shaped products are close to solid; nevertheless, if the officer assesses the product as a cream, you may be asked to put it in the bag. If you're not sure, put these in the bag as well. If there's no room in the bag, the safest solution is to put the product in your checked baggage.
The difference between carry-on and checked baggage
The liquid restriction applies only to carry-on luggage. Checked baggage is exempt from this restriction; in other words, you can carry a shampoo, foundation or perfume bottle larger than 100 ml in your checked baggage.
Still, there are points to pay attention to in checked baggage:
- Tape the caps or put them in a sealed bag; pressure differences during flight can cause leaks.
- Wrap glass bottles in clothing.
- Check your airline's current rules regarding the quantity and type of aerosol products allowed in checked baggage.
- Compare your baggage weight allowance with the limit defined by your airline for your ticket.
Which should go where?
It makes sense to keep small items you'll use daily (moisturizer, lipstick, mascara) in your carry-on luggage; if your baggage is delayed, you'll have access to the things you need. Leave large-size and spare products in your checked baggage. Since your baggage allowance varies according to your ticket, check the baggage conditions of the fare you select on the search for flight tickets page before booking.
Common mistakes and exceptions
The reason items are confiscated at security is often not a lack of information but a small detail that gets overlooked.
- A little product in a large container: The container's volume is what matters, not the amount inside it. Transferring from a large bottle into a small container is the solution.
- The bag not closing: A single, transparent, resealable bag is required. A bag with a broken zipper or one that's overfilled causes problems.
- Multiple bags: The rule is a single bag; a second bag may not be accepted.
- Leaving the bag inside your luggage: You may be asked to take it out and present it separately during the check.
- Products purchased after the security checkpoint: The conditions for carrying products purchased after the security check may differ on connecting flights. If you're making a transfer, carry the product in its sealed sales bag without opening it and check the rules of the transfer airport.
Exceptions
There may be separate exemptions for baby products and medical liquids; however, these are not covered under makeup. For details, check the current rules of your airline and departure airport. Since practices may differ from country to country, also check the rules of your return airport.
Step by step: How to prepare your makeup bag
The following order helps you go through security checks with the least delay.
- Sort your products. Identify the liquid and cream products you'll actually use during your trip.
- Check the container volume. Transfer anything larger than 100 ml into travel-size bottles or set it aside for checked baggage.
- Choose your bag. Use a single, fully transparent, resealable bag; do not exceed the total 1-litre limit.
- Improve leak-proofing. Close caps tightly and protect spray nozzles.
- Keep solids separate. Put solid lipstick, powder and brushes in your regular makeup bag.
- Place the bag somewhere easily accessible. Put it in the top compartment of your bag.
- Clarify your baggage choice. If you don't have checked baggage, reduce the number of liquid products. For baggage and check-in procedures, you can follow the steps in the how to do online check-in guide.
At the security check, place the bag separately on the tray, and be ready to open it if the officer asks.
Checklist before you set off
Review this list before heading to the airport:
- [ ] Is every liquid, cream, gel and aerosol container in your carry-on luggage 100 ml or less?
- [ ] Are all these containers in a single, transparent, resealable bag, and does the bag stay within the total 1-litre limit?
- [ ] Is the bag in an easily accessible part of your luggage?
- [ ] Are solid products such as solid lipsticks and powder kept outside the bag?
- [ ] Have bottles larger than 100 ml been placed in checked baggage?
- [ ] Have caps in checked baggage been taped or placed in a sealed bag?
- [ ] If you made purchases on a connecting flight, are the products in a sealed sales bag?
- [ ] Have you checked your airline's and the airport's current rules?
If you're planning a short city getaway, traveling with only carry-on luggage and reducing the number of products makes things easier. For example, in short trips like the overseas route suggestions for the October 29 holiday, travel-size bottles and a single bag are usually enough. For longer, multi-city routes, factor in checked baggage as well.
Frequently asked questions
Can you bring makeup on a plane?
Yes, you can. In carry-on luggage, liquid, cream and aerosol products must each be in containers of no more than 100 ml and fit into a single transparent bag with a total capacity of 1 litre. There is no such restriction in checked baggage.
Is solid lipstick allowed on a plane?
Yes, solid lipsticks are exempt from the liquid restriction and don't need to go in the bag. Liquid lipstick and lip gloss, however, are considered liquids; they are subject to the 100 ml container rule and the transparent bag.
Can mascara and foundation be carried in carry-on luggage?
Yes, they can. Mascara and liquid or cream foundation are counted in the liquid/cream group; their containers must not exceed 100 ml and must be in a resealable transparent bag.
Can I bring a perfume bottle larger than 100 ml on the plane?
You cannot bring it in carry-on luggage, because the container volume cannot exceed 100 ml. You can carry the perfume in your checked baggage. It's recommended to wrap the glass bottle in clothing and close the cap tightly.
Is a large, half-full cream container allowed in carry-on luggage?
If the container is larger than 100 ml, it generally is not allowed. The rule is based on the container's volume, not the amount inside it. Transfer the cream into a travel container of 100 ml or less, or put the bottle in your checked baggage.
Can I carry makeup products without a bag?
You cannot carry liquid, cream, gel and aerosol products in carry-on luggage without a bag; a single, resealable, transparent bag is required. Solid products can be carried outside the bag. A bag is not mandatory in checked baggage.
Does the makeup product rule change on connecting flights?
The rules of the transfer airport may differ. Carry products you bought in the sterile area in their sealed sales bag without opening them, and check the current rules of both the transfer airport and your airline.
Sources
- Announcement regarding Liquid Restrictions... — web.shgm.gov.tr
My Travel Team
Travel Editor
The My Travel team prepares up-to-date travel, visa and tourism information and guides.
