If you find packing efficiently to be a struggle, you’re not alone - especially when it comes to hand luggage. It can be especially tough to know how to condense your beauty routine into fit into a small travel bag.
This is why we’ve curated a capsule of key makeup products you can rely on for travel, whether that’s a last-minute getaway or the holiday of a lifetime.
Can You Pack Makeup in Your Hand Luggage?
With so many restrictions as to what you can take on a plane, you might be wondering if you can pack your favourite makeup products in your hand luggage.
The good news is that there are no restrictions when it comes to powder makeup, so you can take your favourite blushers, bronzers and eyeshadows in your hand luggage without worrying.
However, you do have to be a bit more mindful when it comes to liquids, such as:
- Mascara
- Foundation
- Primer
- Cream blushers and bronzers
- Gel or liquid eyeliner
- Lipstick, gloss and balm
- Cream eyeshadow
If you are taking some of these products in your hand luggage in the UK, you’ll need to ensure that they’re in a container that cannot hold more than 100ml and are all able to fit in one resealable transparent bag.
So even if you’ve nearly run out of your favourite foundation, you’ll have to decant it into a smaller tub in order to be able to take it in your carry-on.
What to Pack in Your Travel Makeup Bag
We've outlined our travel must-haves so you can achieve your holiday glow.
Moisturiser
A nourishing moisturiser is an essential first step of any makeup routine but is especially important for those looking to board a flight.
The air that circulates the plane can have drying effects on the skin, so it’s important to seal your skin barrier with moisture before embarking on your adventure.
Tinted Moisturizer
With the challenges like heat and humidity to contend with, it’s best to opt for a lightweight, breathable base for your skin, rather than your usual foundation.
Offering sheer coverage, a tinted moisturiser allows you to even out your complexion without your face makeup looking or feeling too heavy.
Formulated to be buildable, it is great for touch-ups so you can jump out the plane and head straight to your evening plans.
Concealer
A concealer is another must-have for any travel makeup bag. Whether you wear this on its own or with a tinted moisturiser, it is effective for brightening the under eyes or disguising any pesky breakouts for a super fresh, radiant appearance.
From the plane to the pool, we recommend always having a concealer on-hand for touch-ups throughout the day.
Pressed Powder
For anyone who likes to mattify their makeup throughout the day, a pressed powder might be the answer. Compact in size, it can slip straight into your hand luggage and be used for touch-ups throughout your flight.
Bronzer
A bronzer is another travel essential. Working to add depth and dimension to the face, bronzer warms up the complexion to give you that sunkissed glow before you’ve even touched down.
We recommend a cream formula, as they can be easily blended and will melt into the skin for a super soft, natural finish.
Highlighter
A highlighter is always a welcome addition to a travel makeup bag. With the drying air of the plane to contend with, enhancing the complexion with a radiant glow will help to uplift the appearance of the skin.
After landing, it can also be useful for adding a luminous glow to your holiday makeup look.
Brow Gel
An eyebrow product, like the Eyeko Tinted Brow Gel, is an essential for any holiday makeup kit. Providing shape and definition, it’ll quickly transform your brows without the need for a precise application.
A clear brow gel could also be a good option for beach days where you want to shape the brows without darkening the hairs.
Mascara
A lick of mascara on the lashes works wonders to open up and add definition to the eyes. For those travelling to a warm destination, we recommend using a waterproof formula to avoid smudging in the heat and humidity.
Opting for a travel size may also be useful to maximise room in your bag.
Lip Balm
Lip balm is perfect travel companion to throw in your bag or reapply on-the-go to keep your lips moisturised. We recommend opting for a tinted formula to add a natural flush of colour to your look.
Refreshing Mist
A revitalising mist may be the refresher your skin needs throughout your flight, to help lock in moisture and create a lasting glow.
A spray like the Pixi Glow Mist, is formulated to hydrate and illuminate the complexion - whether that’s over your makeup or on bare skin. Any liquids below 100ml will be able to slip into your hand luggage with no issues.
Travel Mirror
A compact mirror is another key component in your travel makeup bag and will make your makeup application so much easier.
Whether it's the mirror tucked inside your favourite bronzer or one like our Brushworks Compact Mirror, you should ensure you always have one with you.
Brushes
Although most of the products we’ve mentioned can be applied with your fingers, it’s always useful to have a couple of brushes in your bag - especially if you prefer to use powder products or want to avoid the messy hands.
Our Brushworks Mini Brush Set provides the essential tools you need in a compact size, saving space in your luggage.
And those are all our product recommendations for your next trip. Simply choose items that are versatile and compact, and you’ll be good to go.
Now you’ve got your beauty regime sorted, we’ve got our expert guide on how to stay healthy on holiday, so you can glow from the inside out.
