Whether you can bring makeup on a plane depends on the makeup you want to bring, the size of the product, and if you want to pack the item in your carry on or checked bags.
According to TSA regulations, you can bring makeup on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags, though if the makeup product is either a liquid, gel, or aerosol and is packed in your carry on, it must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml.
This is due to the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule that prohibits passengers from bringing any liquids, gels, and aerosols in their carry on in containers that exceed 3.4oz/100ml.
Primer: Primer can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags, but must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on.
Foundation: Foundation can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags, but must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on.
Powder Foundation: Power foundation can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags. If the powder foundation is greater than 12oz/350ml, it must be placed in a separate bin for additional screening.
BB and CC Cream: BB and CC cream can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags, but must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on.
Concealer: Liquid concealer can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags, but must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on. Stick concealer can be packed in your carry on with no restrictions.
Blush: Blush can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags. If the blush is greater than 12oz/350ml, it must be placed in a separate bin for additional screening.
Highlighter: Pressed and loose highlighter can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags. If it is greater than 12oz/350ml, it must be placed in a separate bin for additional screening. Liquid highlighter must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on.
Bronzer: Pressed and loose bronzer can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags. If it is greater than 12oz/350ml, it must be placed in a separate bin for additional screening. Liquid bronzer must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on.
Setting Spray: Setting spray can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags, but must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on.
Eyes:
Eye Primer: Eye primer can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags, but must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on.
Eyeshadow: Pressed and loose eyeshadow can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags. If it is greater than 12oz/350ml, it must be placed in a separate bin for additional screening. Liquid eyeshadow must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on.
Mascara: Mascara can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags, but must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on.
Eyeliner: Eyeliner can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags, but must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on. The exception is powder eyeliner.
Under Eye Concealer: Liquid under eye concealer can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags, but must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on. Stick and powder eye concealer can be packed in your carry on with no restrictions.
Lips:
Lip Gloss: Lip gloss can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags, but must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on.
Lipstick: Lipstick can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags without restriction. Liquid lipstick must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml if packed in your carry on.
Lip Balm: Lip balm can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags with no restrictions.
Chapstick:Chapstick can be packed in both your carry on and checked bags with no restrictions.
International Flights
Regardless if you’re flying domestically or internationally, the same rules apply.
So, if you have an international flight coming up, any makeup that is in liquid, gel, or aerosol form is not allowed in your carry on if it exceeds 3.4oz/100ml.
By Airline
All airlines follow TSA regulations.
So, again, any makeup that is in liquid, gel, or aerosol form is not allowed in your carry on if it exceeds 3.4oz/100ml, regardless if you’re flying with Southwest, JetBlue, United, Delta, American Airlines, or any other major or regional air carrier.
How to Pack Makeup in Your Carry On
To ensure that you pass through airport security as quickly and easily as possible, you should:
Separate all your makeup that is in liquid, gel, and aerosol form from those that are in solid and powder form.
Place all your liquid, gel, and aerosol makeup into a clear, resealable 1 quart-sized bag (you may also want to keep your solid and powdered makeup products into the same bag for simplicity).
Take this bag out of your carry on and place it into the screening bin.
If any of your loose and pressed powder makeup items exceed 12oz/350ml, place them in a separate screening bin.
How Much Makeup Can You Pack in Your Carry on?
In short, the amount of makeup you can pack in your carry on (if the makeup is in liquid, gel, or aerosol form) is however many items you can fit inside a clear, resealable 1 quart-sized bag.
A 1-quart sized bag amounts to 32 ounces, but the container the makeup is in will take up space.
For reference, if your makeup is in 3.4oz/100ml bottles, you will likely be able to take 7-8 ounces of makeup, or about 7-8 containers.
Be Careful About Packing Makeup in Your Purse
Solid and powdered makeup can be packed in your purse, but liquid, gel, and aerosol makeup products should be placed in a clear, resealable 1 quart-sized bag.
You can bring face wash on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags, but if the cleanser exceeds 3.4oz/100ml, it should only be packed in your checked bags.
You can pack all kinds of makeup brushes from concealer to eyeshadow brushes in both your carry on and checked bags.
You Can Bring Nail Polish
According to TSA regulations, you can bring nail polish on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags, but if packed in your carry on, each bottle must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml.
You Can Bring Scissors, Tweezers, and Razors Too
You can bring scissors on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags, but if packed in your carry on, the blade must be less than 4 inches (2.36 inches if flying from international airports).
According to TSA, regulations, you are allowed to bring tweezers on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags.
Straight razors should be packed in your checked bag, and it would be better to pack your eyebrow razor in your checked bag, too, to be on the safe side.
Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.
Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.
Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).
