Yes, you can fly with mascara in your carry‑on as long as each tube is 3.4 oz / 100 mL or smaller and fits inside your single quart‑size liquids bag.
Few makeup items pull a look together as quickly as a swipe of mascara, so it makes sense to keep it handy when you travel. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) treats mascara as a liquid—just like foundation, lip gloss, or gel creams. That liquid label means your favorite tube must follow the famous “3‑1‑1” rule at U.S. checkpoints. Airports abroad apply nearly identical limits, but knowing the small differences (and a couple of smart packing tricks) keeps security lines short and your lashes picture‑ready on landing. This guide breaks down the exact rules, explains why size matters, and shows you how to pack mascara alongside other cosmetics without drama.
| Cosmetic | Carry‑On Limit | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Mascara | ≤ 3.4 oz / 100 mL, quart bag | Classified as a liquid |
| Liquid Foundation | Same as mascara | Liquid/gel consistency |
| Pressed Powder | No size limit; extra screening > 12 oz | Powder policy |
| Pencil Eyeliner | No liquid rule | Solid stick format |
| Aerosol Setting Spray | ≤ 3.4 oz + 2 L personal total | FAA toiletry cap |
Can I Take Mascara In My Carry‑On?
The short answer is yes, but the tube must respect two TSA checkpoints:
- Container size. Each individual mascara container must hold no more than 3.4 ounces / 100 milliliters. Larger salon‑style tubes need to ride in checked baggage or stay home.
- Quart‑size bag. All of your liquid and gel toiletries—mascara included—must fit inside one transparent, resealable, one‑quart bag. You can only present one bag per traveler.
The 3‑1‑1 rule is federal, so it applies at every U.S. airport regardless of airline. Delta, United, American, and other carriers simply reference TSA’s framework rather than publishing separate cosmetic limits.
What Counts As a Liquid?
“Liquid” covers anything that can pour, smear, or spread at room temperature. Mascara’s creamy formula falls into that bucket, even though it feels semi‑solid on the wand. TSA officers rely on consistency, not product names, when they inspect your bag. A stiff brow pomade, gel eyeliner, or cream blush follows the very same rule.
Solid and Powder Alternatives
If you want to skip the quart bag entirely, consider travel‑friendly makeup sticks and powder mascaras. These innovations hard‑press pigment into a cake that you wet with a brush, so they pass as solids. Powders under 12 ounces simply sail through security; bigger tubs may prompt extra screening, but that rarely applies to cosmetics.
Mascara Carry‑On Rules Explained
Choosing Travel‑Sized Tubes
Most commercial mascaras hold between 0.15 oz and 0.34 oz, which is far below the TSA cap. Keep an eye on gift‑set “jumbos” or professional tubes marketed for makeup artists; those can hit 0.5 oz or more. If the label lists milliliters, remember that 100 mL equals 3.4 oz. Anything smaller automatically qualifies.
Clear Quart Bag Setup
- Place mascara upright to avoid smudging the zipper.
- Use a smaller zipper pouch inside the quart bag to keep black smears off skincare bottles.
- Cap every tube tightly; cabin pressure changes may push product onto the wand.
- Slide the bag near the top of your carry‑on so you can lift it onto the belt in seconds.
Fast presentation keeps lines moving and reduces manual bag checks. TSA PreCheck travelers may keep liquids inside luggage, but the 3‑1‑1 limit still applies.
Checked Bag vs Carry‑On
Packing mascara in checked luggage frees space in your quart bag and removes the container‑size cap. Yet checked bags spend hours in unheated, unpressurized cargo holds where extreme cold or heat can dry out the formula. Rare rough handling can also snap wands.
Temperature and Pressure Factors
Cargo bays hover near freezing at altitude, then warm rapidly on the tarmac. Repeated cycles can thicken mascara, making it clumpy. Carry‑on storage keeps tubes in the cabin’s climate‑controlled air, preserving texture. If you travel with a single “holy grail” mascara, slipping it into the quart bag is the safer play.
| Bag Type | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Carry‑On | Climate‑controlled; always accessible for makeup touch‑ups in transit | Counts toward 3‑1‑1 quota |
| Checked | No size limit; frees quart‑bag space | Temperature swings; potential wand breakage |
International Airports And Variations
Most countries mirror the 100 mL liquids cap introduced by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The UK Department for Transport and the European Union apply nearly identical rules, so your mascara can stay in the same quart bag on multi‑leg trips. Australia and Canada follow suit. Still, a quick glance at the destination airport’s website before takeoff saves last‑minute stress.
Some airports employ CT scanners that can analyze liquids in your bag without removal, but the technology rollout is patchy. Always prepare for a traditional 3‑1‑1 inspection unless the airport explicitly waives it.
Frequently Missed Details
Extra Wands and Curlers
Silicone spoolies and lash curlers are solid tools, so there’s no liquid cap. Tossing a spare wand into your makeup pouch lets you refresh clumpy lashes mid‑flight without reopening the mascara itself.
Expiry Checks
Mascara expires faster than most cosmetics—usually three to six months after opening. Cabin air dries product quickly, so flying with a nearly empty tube may shorten its life further. Fresh travel minis curb that risk.
Lost‑Bag Backup
If your checked suitcase goes missing, essential toiletries vanish with it. Keeping minimum makeup (mascara, tinted balm, compact powder) in the cabin ensures you feel presentable on arrival, even during baggage hiccups.
Smart Packing Recap
Slide travel‑size mascara into your quart bag, seal it well, and place the pouch on top of your carry‑on for swift removal. Opt for solid or powder formulas if you need that quart space for skincare, and keep backups in checked luggage if you want full‑size tubes.
Knowing the rules—TSA mascara page, the FAA toiletry limits, and your airline’s baggage policy—keeps your beauty routine smooth from gate to gate.