Carry on luggage and liquids

[bendmeoverbackwards]

We’re off on a short European break and taking carry on luggage only. Realised it’s going to be a pain with liquids etc. I was planning to put my whole toilet bag in the case but that’s not going to work if I have to take it all out at security.

Better to put toiletries in hand luggage? What about things like toothpaste, moisturiser, do they count as liquids?

Stupid question but are tooth flossing sticks and a wide toothed comb be ok in hand luggage?

yes - though i have stopped taking one particular comb, which for some reason has a pointy end, through, as it always gets stopped and searched because (i realised eventually) it looks like a knife on the scanner....

Yes but not in the "liquids" and bag

Arrange a c&c at boots airside if you still have time. As it's past security it won't count as part of your liquids.

Then you have to throw away any unused stuff before you fly home?

Buy cheap or travel sized items after security. Either you will be able to bring them back as you've used the stuff you took with you, or it

To maximise what you do take, buy travel sized bottles & pots ( are good quality but Poundland/Primark are fine) and decant the products you can't live without. For me that is moisturiser, conditioner & body lotion. I tend to use hotel shampoo and body wash as it's good enough for a few days. I then buy soe travel sized products airside such as hair mousse/hairspray if my plastic bag wasn't big enough to fit some in. Depends what's important to you.

Makeup, also decant what you can, and use products that double up, for example cream blusher that can be a lipstick. You can even buy travel sized mascaras if you shop around. I take a stick/crayon type lipstick and so far got it through security despite not being in the plastic bag - which was crammed full so no room - as I think it just looks like a pen/pencil on the Xray.

Also, if going with partner, can he take some of your toiletries/makeup in his plastic bag? Men usually take far fewer 'products' than women!

You could try solid substitutes for some of the liquids e.g. lush soap bars and toothpaste tablets, cleansing wipes instead of liquid cleanser, etc.

travel-made-simple.com/non-liquid-options-for-carry-on-travel/
packhacker.com/blog/general/the-best-solid-toiletries-for-travel/

Buy the smallest size of liquids/decant your large bottles into mini bottles to maximise how many items you can fit in a bag e.g. 75ml toothpaste, mini sun cream, etc.

I often have to travel with hand luggage only and I’ve been trying these recently instead of cleanser.

www.boots.com/moxi-loves-powder-pod-cleanser-14s-10279094

A professional model was sorting through her make up for a shoot because she had far more than the allotted amount no exceptions. They did (for a price) mail it home for her at least

Try a YouTube search for ‘Crew liquids’ bag’ for tips.

E.g.

Just work out what you really really need exactly as you have at home and what can you compromise on. I need my moisturiser and mascara. I've learned to make do with hotel shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, for example.

Also DH doesn't tend to need much more than deo and mini shaving gel (which I share) so I can pop a few bits in his bag.

If you use a liquid make up remover, think about wipes/cloths just for the trip, for example.

And definitely get your bags sorted before you leave home. Otherwise it's just a faff.

Also, in terms of buying minis at the airport and having to chuck them, chances are you'll have used most of it over the trip, so it's an option.

Foundation, moisturiser I decant into little pots, into small bottles for shampoo, body lotion and conditioner, and buy travel size toothpaste, hairspray, spray deodorant. Bar soap rather than shower gel, and wipes rather than cleanser (or decant)

Does a solid stick deodorant count as a liquid for this purpose?

I have a bag with bottles that I decant stuff into. Cost about £10 from Amazon. Dont forget that you cant take aerosols or bottles of perfume over 100ml either!

Interestingly, returning from Amsterdam last week you dont need to take your toiletries, electrical or devices it of your carry on bag! Manchester Airport take note.

I though things like soap counted. So does that mean I can take my eye and lip pencils out of my overfull bag? <hopeful >

I wouldn't think solid deodorants or soap or eye pencils or eye shadow needs to go in the bag as they are solids.

www.gov.uk/hand-luggage-restrictions This gives examples

I save those trial satchets of moisturiser for these things. A lovely lady on the Clinique container gave me a dozen samples once so I've been working through them.

And as a PP I have a zippy clear sponge bag for these things but some airports or security staff still insist you decant into their plastic bag. There appears to be no rhyme nor reason.