Cabin baggage/handbag question.

[BecauseICan22]

Hello seasoned travellers, (you'll see from this post that I am not!)

I am flying from Gatwick this weekend on a 4 hour flight. This is my first plane journey in nearly a decade! We have paid for our luggage allowance in the main hold and I am taking a small handbag with me. My question is, can I take makeup in my handbag or does it need to be part of the 100ml gang? Can I take my contact lens case complete with solution in the bag?

I'm so sorry, all the information online is confusing me and I would be grateful for a straightforward answer.

Also any other tips from frequent flyers would be gratefully received.

Any liquids or pastes need to be in the clear bag and less than 100ml.

All liquids that are going with you need to be less than 100ml and in a clear plastic bag to go through security, after you’ve passed security you can do what you like with them.

Thank you both. So I just need to put the small foundation bottle in a clear bag. I'd put it in the main suitcase but it's very thin perspex and even wrapped in clothes I don't want it to burst, I'm not worried about not having foundation, more about it ruining my clothes!

And sorry, yes the bottle is less than 100ml

There’s a Gatwick airport app that can tell you curent security wait times, my experience was that check in and bag drops were incredibly long queues, if you have a morning flight and can do twilight bag drop if recommended it.

If you have hold baggage they can go in there with no limit, its only hand luggage that has a limit.

It’s worth mentioning that it’s not just actual liquids than need to be under 100ml and put in a plastic bag. Anything even vaguely liquidy or that could be liquid such as mascara or lip balm also needs to go in there.

Yeah, good point @TheFlis12345

Anything measured in ml counts as a liquid for the rule 'less than 100ml and must go in a clear sealable bag

Bags are to be a certain size 20cmsx20cms max, have to be clear with a top that can be sealed (think freezer bags) all liquids to go in the bag all less than 100mls each.

Some airports can be quite pedantic about said bags, last week 3 women in front of me had lots of items taken from them as they used what was a huge freezer bag, could of fit a chicken in! I have also seen bags which have a gusset at the bottom which have been rejected as well as some brands that are sold on Amazon specifically for flights which are too big

Foundation you can put it in your checked in I wrap in cling film, or in said liquid bag, think anything paste/liquid must go in there. Contact lens/case I also put in the bag with a spare pair saves any argument (some airports allow some dont), again I wrap the case in film as I am usually travelling long haul and need to take mine out. You can get small travel sized lens cleaner, either can go in the liquid bag or in checked in luggage.

Really its a short flight so only take what you need as carry on as a minimum. Or if you want to just pick a few items up after security at say Boots

Do you only get one clear bag per person? Trying to think whether I can fit all my makeup and toiletries in one bag. Only taking hand luggage and flying from Heathrow.

Yes one clear bag per person and a maximum total of 10 products at 100ml each

Oh thanks- will have to think about what I actually will need then.

I'm sure I saw somewhere you can have as many clear bags, they just have to close properly?

Nope, at Heathrow it's a single bag -

www.heathrow.com/at-the-airport/security-and-baggage/hand-baggage-and-liquids

You can have more than 10 items in it, but the bag has to be the correct size, all items in it under 100ml, and the bag needs to seal.

Thanks so much, not sure where I got that idea from. I think I will buy minis of makeup products then so I should be able to fit everything in one.

This is technically true but never have I been stoped for having lipstick or balms or mascara not in the plastic bag. Or those teeny individual eyedrop tubes. I stick liquids in and that's all.

One bag per person. Must be able to close. Never had anyone pull me up for lipsticks/balms/glosses outside of the bag but you decide on that one if you want to risk the faff of being pulled out of line ti have your bag checked. Power a ks need to be in hand luggage

Power banks

I use these bags www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/waitrose-small-fast-seal-food-bags/738251-550227-550228

I’d put liquids and all electricals, like iPads and phones, in your hand bag. You will need to get them out and it’s much easier.
That said though, last time I went through Heathrow T5 I didn’t have to.

I tend to wrap things like that in a flannel in a plastic bag and put it in the hold luggage

Though no one has ever pulled me up on lipstick/lip balm which I have never put into a bag. I used very cheap lipsticks though wouldn't recommend if it's expensive and your 1L bag is full.

Remember you can take an empty water bottle through but not a full one (sounds really stupid but I forgot to drink mine before security once and had to down it in front of the security people to avoid throwing the bottle away. Was then able to refill after security.

Dd was stopped for having the small body shop lip balm in her bag. Not 100% sure but I remember they had a picture of a lipstick in security as one of the items that needs to be bagged.

Sometimes you may have too many liquids to pack in hand luggage. I'm thinking deodorant, insect repellant, perfume, sun cream etc etc. So If you do want to put liquids in baggage luggage and are wary of leaks, then pack them in a Tupperware or similar leakproof box. Then if something does leak, it's contained in the box.

I had a small carton on juice in my handbag the other week and they never found it!!

The key is only to take as much as you need for your trip. Eg foundation, dispense into a tiny pot like the ones you get in a trial from department stores. Same with moisturiser, hair products, cleanser etc. Don’t take normal sizes. Home bargains sell mini pots in a travel kit. I write on them with a sharpie to say what’s in them.
If there’s a Boots do a click and collect after security for bigger items like shampoo, toothpaste etc. No restrictions on size (although you can’t bring it back unless it fits in the clear bag) and you have the full range to chose from at online prices not airport. Our local airport Boots looked like mother hubbards cupboard this summer so I was glad I pre ordered. Needs to be done about 8 days before travel

Wow, thank you all so much for this. I feel much better and a lot less confused about it all. I hope you all have a lovely weekend. 😊