Can You Take A Razor in Hand Luggage?
Certain objects are banned from being taken on board flights for a reason. Knives and other sharp implements are prohibited, so you might be wondering whether you can take a razor in your hand luggage - especially if you’re travelling for just a few days and don’t want to take hold luggage - but still want to look your best.
So, can you take a razor in your hand luggage? This is a common question people ask before flying. Here’s everything you need to know about taking a razor on a plane.
Can I Take a Razor in Hand Luggage?
The short answer is yes, you can take razors in your hand luggage – but not all types of razors are allowed on a plane and you should check with your airline first.
Before you fly, it’s important to ensure you have the right razor. If your razor isn’t allowed in the plane cabin, it will be confiscated at airport security.
Razors are a travel essential for many, but which ones can go in your hand luggage, and which must go in your hold luggage?
To begin with, Gillette's range of male razors and other cartridge-based razors, including our collection of Venus female razors are usually allowed within hand luggage so long as they are mounted within a plastic head.
Double-edged blades of any kind are banned from being taken on board flights. This includes some of our razor blades for men. However, men are allowed to take disposable razors and three-bladed, cartridge-based razor refills, such as the Mach3 Turbo, in their hand luggage, as long as they’re still in their packaging. The same goes for our full range of replacement razor blades for women, none of which are double-edged and all supplied in a cartridge format.
You can also take electric razors in hand luggage, but you might have to take them out of your bag as it goes through the security scanner, depending on the airport’s rules around electrical items. This means men can take gadgets like the King C. Gillette Style Master with them to keep your facial hair trimmed and looking tidy during their trip. There are also discreet hair trimmers for women among the entire Venus product range for which similar airport rules apply. Generally speaking, such battery-powered devices are allowed as hand luggage so long as they're switched off when passing through security gates.
It’s always best to check the specific rules of the airport and airline you’re travelling with before you travel, as these can vary - you should be able to find this information easily online, or give them a call.
Can I Take Shaving Gel or Foam in My Hand Luggage?
You can only carry small amounts of shaving gel, shaving foam and other liquids in your hand luggage, so you might need to take some time to decant bigger bottles into smaller containers before your trip. You can usually buy suitable containers at your local chemist. All liquids carried in your hand luggage must be in containers of 100ml or less, and they must be placed in a clear 1-litre bag, which will be screened separately at security.
It’s worth noting that the shaving gel in a Gillette razor subscription starter kit is 75ml, meaning that it can be taken on flights as part of your hand luggage - and we’ve got more tips on which Gillette products to pack below.
Travel Grooming Kit Essentials
Feeling your best is important, whether you’re at home or on holiday, and you shouldn’t just stop at your razor to achieve that. The items you pack in your travel grooming kit need to be able to cover all of your facial and body hair styling needs while you’re away, but also fit into your hand luggage.
Here’s our guide to the grooming tools you should - and can - take on board a flight:
1. Wet Razor
If you prefer wet shaving, you can take disposable and refillable blades in your hand luggage with you. As explained above, you can also pack a certain amount of shaving gel or foam in your cabin luggage, allowing you to achieve the smooth razor glide that you’re used to at home.
As well as our wide selection of male razors, women can choose from numerous Venus razors to suit their travel plans, including Venus Snap, which is specifically designed with female travellers in mind. Check out this guide on choosing the best razor and razor blades for women for further guidance. Products such as the Venus Pro Smooth Sensitive Rose Gold Razor, which comes with eight spare cartridges, or the Venus Extra Smooth Swirl Razor with 3 Razor Blades are ideal for travelling with since they're both supplied with handy shower hangers, ideal for women on the go. Alternatively, check out the Venus ComfortGlide Sensitive Razor with Aloe Vera which is an ideal choice among women who sometimes feel skin sensitivity after shaving.
2. Electric Razor
Can you take an electric razor on a plane in place of a razor in hand luggage? Yes, you can and taking an electric razor on a plane in your cabin bag can give you more options than a wet razor. If so, look for a product which comes with a travel case and, ideally, a travel lock that will prevent it from being turned on in your bag as you move around. Electric razors can be larger than Gillette and Venus razor blades and handles, though, so if space is at a premium for your flight, stick to wet shaves during your trip.
3. Shaving Gels and Foams
Whether you’re a man going for a clean-shaven look or a woman who wants to experience smooth legs during her trip, make sure you’re using proper shaving products to hydrate your skin and soften your hair before shaving. This will make your hair easier to cut through for a more comfortable shave, and it’ll help to keep your skin in good condition too.
Our range of Gillette shaving gels for men is designed to help soothe and protect your skin during shaving, ensuring a comfortable experience and keeping your skin in great condition. For women, there are some options among the Venus shaving gel collection that are small enough to be allowed onboard flights, too.
4. Shaving Brush
A shaving brush is another item that you can take in your hand luggage without any issues - their small size means they couldn’t be easier to fit in your bag.
If you don’t already use one in your grooming routine, on holiday is a good time to start. Using a shaving brush allows you to apply shaving foam to your face more evenly, while lifting hairs off your face and massaging your skin at the same time. This is especially beneficial during a summer holiday, as it can help to get rid of dead skin cells linked to overexposure to the sun.
5. Tweezers
Most airlines will allow you to take tweezers in your hand luggage, but always check with yours before you travel to avoid any hold-ups at airport security.
Tweezers can give you a more precise finish than a trimmer, as they’re designed to pull out single hairs at their root rather than simply cut through them. They’re ideal for removing ear hair, nasal hair, unwanted eyebrow hair and other types of facial hair, guaranteeing a neat finish for men and women alike.
6. Post-Shave Care
A good skin care product will help to protect and soothe your skin after shaving. This is especially important when you’re travelling, as changes in temperature, air moisture levels and sunlight exposure can all take their toll. Airport security typically imposes a 100ml limit on pastes, gels and liquids in hand luggage, so consider this when flying with any shaving preparation.
Our pre- and post-shave products for men offer superb post-shaving routine protection with many options you can pack in your hand luggage.
Men should take a closer look at the King C. Gillette Face and Stubble Moisturiser or the King C. Gillette Aftershave Balm which are both supplied in aeroplane-friendly 100ml containers. Equally, women will find the Venus Daily Soothing Serum, which is supplied in a 50ml dispensing bottle, is ideal for both post-shave skincare and flying.
Whatever style you prefer on holiday, make sure you know the rules about the Gillette and Venus products that will help to keep you looking and feeling your best. If in doubt about whether you can bring a razor on a plane, ask the airline. Alternatively, search the airline's website with a simple enquiry, such as, “Can you take a shaving razor on a plane?” and see if there are specific guidelines for certain routes. Finally, read more about looking after your skin on holiday in our travel skincare guide.
FAQs
How can you take a razor on a plane?
The question of are razors allowed in hand luggage is yes, in almost all cases, so long as they're not double-edged but you can also check a razor on a plane as part of your hold luggage allocation. In other words, you don't have to carry them onboard with you if you don't want to because they're permitted as checked-in luggage, too.
Can I take a razor on a plane with spare cartridges?
A razor on a plane is allowed so long as it is cartridge-based, so this means you can take spare ones with you on your travels, if you want.
Do different airlines have different guidelines for razors?
Yes, some airlines have different guidelines for carrying razors in hand luggage. Most airlines allow disposable razors and cartridge razors but not safety razors or loose blades.
