POV: You’ve made it to the airport on time and sailed through the queues only to hit a snag just before Duty Free thanks to a bulging liquids bag.
Everything’s in but it won’t close, and fate has landed you a compassionless member of airport security who doesn’t quite *get* holiday beauty essentials.
Something has to go: an impossible choice beckons. No one is binning the SPF and you’d rather stay at home than go without deo. So what gets jettisoned? With clever packing, your fragrance won’t be the first thing to get offloaded.
Does the 100ml liquids rule still exist?
It does – but hopefully not for much longer. While the scrapping of the 100ml rule has been delayed because of (sigh) supply chain issues, the ultimate plan is to roll it out across all UK airports. Teeside and London’s City Airport have done away with it already.
Why is there a 100ml rule for liquid?
It was established after British intelligence foiled a transatlantic terror plot in 2006. Now, new CT screening technology means security can see everything in your bags without undoing your careful packing.
What should go in a 100ml liquid bag?
Anything not solid counts as a liquid: think creams, mascaras, lipstick, contact lens solution, and toothpaste. Most fragrances count as a liquid that must fit into the 100ml bag.
While we wait for airports to install the new time- and stress-saving tech, the clear plastic bag remains the final hurdle between you and your long-awaited annual leave.
Squeezing everything into that 20 x 20cm bag is a right royal pain; anyone who’s flown over the last 18 years will tell you that. The choice is between decanting existing lotions and potions into 100ml containers or buying cute new miniature versions of your favourites.
The good news is that many fragrance brands produce their scents in travel-friendly measures. They come in many options, from pencil-thin sprays to rollerballs and solid blocks in tins. Although you can buy them individually or in discovery sets, they often come as a gift set freebie or as part of beauty advent calendars come Christmas.
Before we unveil the options, Rebecca Reynolds, The Perfume Shop’s expert reveals the scents of the summer and good travel beauty etiquette.
What are the summer fragrance trends this year?
“Citrus and floral fragrances are often favoured for their ability to capture the essence of summer’s freshness. Seek out perfumes that incorporate elements such as lemon, grapefruit, and orange blossom.”
Is it bad form to spritz fragrance on board?
“Although I’d recommend perhaps spritzing before or after your flight, we’d suggest carrying an EDT fragrance vs an EDP if you do wish to spritz on board as an EDT tends to be lighter in scent. That way everyone should be able to enjoy their flight!”
What alternatives are there to sprays?
“Alternatives include roll ons/rollerball fragrances. Simply pop in your bag and roll on your pulse points when you need a little top-up. Also, the Travalo are mini refill sprays that you can fill with your favourite perfume, meaning you don’t have to carry around a full bottle when you travel.”
We’ve put together an edit of the best perfumes, colognes and EDTs for travel all at 100ml or less.
Shop the best fragrance miniatures for travel below