Many women innocently carry make-up in their handbags

From skin cleaners to perfume, many women innocently carry make-up in their handbags and forget to remove it before reaching the airport. As a result, QVC, who carried out the study, found that, since these safety restrictions have been put in place, women have already lost over 3,228,332 litres of liqued essentials.

With top confiscated items including perfume, sun cream and deodorants, 30 per cent of women have agreed that losing a beauty item to the security dustbin as one of their biggest summer annoyances.

However, one of the main problems was that 47 per cent of those questioned admitted to not knowing about the current airport restrictions that are in place.

The Department of Transport has issued the following advice for those who are travelling with liquids:
• Wherever possible you should pack liquids in your hold baggage, as there are restrictions on the amount you can take in your hand baggage.  Liquids include:all drinks, including water, soup and syrups, cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lipsticks. sprays, including shaving foam, hairspray and spray deodorants, pastes, including toothpaste, gels, including hair and shower gel, contact lens solution, any other solutions and items of similar consistency

• If you need certain liquids during the flight, you can take them into the cabin in limited quantities as follows: containers must hold no more than 100ml, containers must be carried in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures approximately 20cm x 20cm, contents must fit comfortably inside the bag so it can be sealed, the bag must not be knotted or tied at the top, each passenger can carry only one of these bags, the bag must be presented for examination at the airport security point.

• Containers larger than 100ml (excluding essential medicines) will not be allowed through the security point even if they are only part full.

• You are allowed to carry essential medicines of more than 100ml in your hand baggage, but you will need: prior approval from the airline and departure airport, supporting documentation from a relevant qualified medical professional (eg: a letter from your doctor or prescription). Remember to take only what you need for your journey. Extra supplies and larger containers of medicine can go in your hold baggage.

• You are allowed to take baby food, baby milk and sterilised water in your hand baggage. This includes: soya milk for babies, sterilised water for the baby, formula, breast milk or cow milk specifically for babies, baby food of various consistencies. You are allowed to take enough for the journey, in some cases this may be over 100ml. The adult carrying the baby food or milk may be asked to verify it by tasting.

• You can take into the aircraft cabin any liquids you buy after passing through security, as these items go through a separate screening process. This includes bottled water, wines and spirits and fragrances and cosmetics

By Lauren King