To pack lipstick for travel, keep solid lipsticks in your regular makeup bag but pack liquid/cream lipsticks (gloss, stain) in your clear, quart-sized liquids bag for carry-on, following the 3-1-1 rule (containers 3.4oz/100ml or smaller). For checked bags, place them in a sealed pouch to prevent leaks and consider wrapping the cap with plastic wrap or tape as extra protection against pressure changes. To save space, use multi-use lip products or travel-sized versions.
3-1-1: TSA Rules for Makeup
Put small items in 3.4 ounce containers in a clear quart-sized bag. You can bring one of these bags in your carry-on. The 3 1 1 rule for makeup is the same.
Travel Brush Set
Lipstick in your hand luggage As for lipstick, if it's solid, you can put it in your normal make-up bag; but if it's a liquid lipstick, you should put it in the clear bag with all your other liquids.
The 1-2-3-4-5-6 Packing Rule is a travel guideline for packing light, suggesting: 1 hat, 2 pairs of shoes, 3 bottoms (pants/skirts), 4 tops, 5 pairs of socks, and 6 pairs of underwear, which provides enough versatile outfits for about a week or two, especially if you plan to do laundry or mix and match. It's a flexible framework to avoid overpacking, focusing on core items for mix-and-match outfits.
All liquids need to be packed in a clear quart-sized bag. All liquid makeup must also be placed in that clear bag. The TSA-approved toiletry bag must then be taken out of the bag when passing airport security. All other toiletries & makeup that is not a gel or a liquid can be placed in the carry-on with no problem...
You can bring most makeup products on a plane in both your carry-on and checked baggage. All liquid makeup in your carry-on must follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule: containers must be 3.4 ounces (100ml) or less. These liquid items must fit into a single, clear, quart-sized, zip-top bag for airport security screening.
Do creams, like concealer and lipstick still count as liquid? And what about lotions and gels? Unfortunately, it's not great news for the over-packers. The Department for Transport defines liquids as “including creams, lotions, oils, perfume, mascara and lip gloss”.
Rolling saves space in your bag, especially if you only have hand luggage. You can organise your bag better, by being able to see every item of clothing. Rolling is great for small items. Especially for items made from synthetic fibres like nylon as they will be less likely to wrinkle.
The "5 Outfit Rule" (or "5-Outfit Rule") is a smart shopping guideline: before buying a new item, you must be able to mentally style it into at least five different outfits using clothes you already own to ensure versatility, prevent clutter, and promote mindful consumption. It helps build a functional wardrobe by focusing on pieces that offer maximum wearability for various occasions, seasons, and styles, moving away from impulse buys that get worn only once.
Passengers can now keep liquids in their hand luggage or cabin bag when flying from the majority of UK airports. While the 100ml limit remains at most airports, there is no longer a requirement to put bottles and containers in a clear plastic bag - or remove them from your bags at security.
Bringing Empty vs Sealed Water Bottles Through Security
A factory-sealed bottle of plastic water is still subject to the 3.4-ounce liquid rule. This means a standard-sized sealed bottle (typically 16.9 ounces) will not be allowed through the checkpoint. You will be asked to either drink it, empty it, or throw it away.
Keep laptops and electrical items, such as hairdryers, inside your hand baggage. Place outer clothing inside the tray, and put your bag on top. We may ask you to take off shoes and belts. Keep any liquids (up to max 2 litres per container) inside your bag.
Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream, or paste may be flagged during screening and will require additional security checks. Chapstick, lipstick, and solid lip balms are not considered liquids by the TSA. They can be in your handbag, carry-on or hand luggage without being separated into your clear plastic liquids bag.
You can't bring sharp items (knives, scissors over 6cm), many tools (hammers, saws), firearms, flammable liquids/gases, corrosive chemicals (bleach, oven cleaner), explosives, pepper spray/mace, large lithium batteries, and items that look like weapons on a plane carry-on. Restricted liquids (over 100ml), certain powders (over 350ml/g), and some electronics like hoverboards also face limitations or bans.
To comply with the 3-1-1 rule, make sure that each liquid container is 3.4 ounces or less and fits into a quart-sized bag. It's advisable to place all your 3-1-1 liquids in a clear toiletry bag for easy visibility during security checks.
The 333 packing method is a minimalist travel hack where you pack 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 pairs of shoes to create numerous outfits for a trip, often fitting everything into a carry-on bag by focusing on versatile, mix-and-match pieces. Popularized on TikTok by creators like Rachel Spencer, this strategy helps avoid overpacking by challenging you to build many looks from a small capsule wardrobe, maximizing outfits (sometimes over 20) from just nine core items.
The Rolling Method
Rolling clothing tightly prevents wrinkles while allowing you to maximize space in your luggage. To roll clothes for travel, fold along the seams and smooth out any wrinkles, then roll as tightly as possible without making any hard creases.
The 3-3-3 clothing rule is a simple styling method for creating many outfits from few items: choose 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes, which allows for 27 potential combinations (3x3x3) and reduces decision fatigue, often used for travel or building a minimalist capsule wardrobe. It's a versatile concept, sometimes expanded to include 3 layers (like jackets or cardigans) for even more looks, making dressing easier by focusing on mix-and-match versatility with core pieces.
5 be respectful of other passengers. 6 High heels, flip flops, and slides. 7 avoid extremely flammable synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon. 8 Over-sized coats can make economy class feel claustrophobic.
The most confiscated items at airports are usually everyday items people forget about, primarily oversized liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs), along with knives, sharp objects (like scissors, multi-tools), and lighters, due to carry-on restrictions, with firearms also frequently found in checked bags despite strict rules. Batteries (especially lithium) are also common, needing to be in carry-ons, and even items like protein powder can be flagged for extra screening.
The 54321 packing rule is a minimalist travel strategy for creating a versatile capsule wardrobe, suggesting you pack 5 tops, 4 bottoms, 3 pairs of shoes, 2 layers/dresses/bags, and 1 set of accessories (like jewelry, sunglasses, hat). This method helps prevent overpacking by focusing on interchangeable items, allowing for many outfit combinations (often 20+) from fewer pieces, ideal for carry-on travel by ensuring items mix and match well for different occasions and climates.
Yes, you can bring deodorant on a plane. Stick and solid deodorants are allowed in your carry-on luggage without restrictions. Spray, gel and liquid deodorants over 3.4 ounces need to be packed in your checked baggage.
Here's the fully updated list of airports that have officially scrapped the 100ml limit as of September 2025:
If you need to bring medication with you, please pack it in your cabin bag wherever possible. A letter from your healthcare practitioner is only required If you are bringing any of the following items on board: Liquids that exceed 100ml.