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Can you take make-up in hand luggage?

WHEN heading off on our hols taking our make-up for a glam night out is essential.

But what are the rules on taking make-up on the plane? Here we explain what IS allowed in your hand luggage.

Liquid items must be stored in clear, sealable plastic bags
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Liquid items must be stored in clear, sealable plastic bagsCredit: Getty

Can you take make-up in your hand luggage?

Sometimes it can be confusing what items are allowed in your hand luggage, especially when it comes to beauty products.

To avoid a meltdown at security, you need to determine what category your make-up falls into - liquid, powder or solids.

Solid make-up like lipstick, lip balms and foundation sticks have no restrictions, you can bring as many of these as you like in your hand luggage.

However these may need to go into a "liquid" plastic bag as guidance differs at airports.

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Powder make-up like eyeshadow and setting powder can cause issues on airport x-ray machines, so you might want to put those items in your hold luggage or expect a little delay.

Liquids and gels are allowed in your hand luggage but there are restrictions.

Liquid items include creams, lotions, moisturisers, mascara, perfume and even hair gel and deodorant.

If your make-up is runny, creamy or wet, then it will be treated as a liquid - it can go in hand luggage but you will need to follow the rules.

Do different airlines have different rules?

The restrictions on liquids came about around the world in 2006 after officials foiled a plot by terrorists to detonate liquid explosives on a flight.

Airlines tend to have different rules about what you can bring in your hand luggage, but when it comes to make-up its mostly the same.

You cannot bring liquid items larger than 100ml even if they aren't completely full.

All the liquid and gel products you have in the cabin cannot exceed more that 1 litre in total.

The items must be stored together in a clear, plastic zip-lock bag which is about the size of a sheet of A4 paper, you can bring your own but most airlines provide these.

You must fit all the items into the bag comfortably, and it must be able to be sealed via the zip-lock - not knotted or tied at the top.

Can I buy make-up at duty free?

If you don't want to deal with restrictions with make-up and other cosmetics in your luggage there are other ways around it.

You can put large liquids over 100ml in your hold luggage, or even buy them when you reach your destination.

You'll also be able to buy make-up airside at duty free - but beware this might cost you more.

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