Is Mascara Considered A Liquid When Flying?

It is quite common to feel a little confused when packing a travel bag or a suitcase before a flight concerning what is allowed to be brought onto the plane and what is prohibited, especially when the item narrows down to be a liquid. Is mascara considered a liquid when flying?

TSA (Transportation Security Administration) has drafted some fundamental guidelines that are to be considered by all passengers who are carrying liquids to be informed about what they are permitted to bring in their luggage. 

Passengers who have not traveled frequently in a long time or at all often find themselves wondering and questioning if they would be able to pass through the airport security with common everyday items like makeup and if there are certain restrictions on the number of liquids that can be aboard.

We will address these queries in the following discussion on is mascara considered a liquid when flying.

Is Mascara Considered A Liquid When Flying?

Finally, the time to stop pondering and wrap up your packing has come because the TSA authorities have confirmed that mascara is considered a liquid when flying. It is true, as surprising as the unraveling answer may be to all our readers.

Typically, mascara is counted as a liquid, and generally, any item with such consideration, whether it be in the form of a gel, aerosol, or a liquid and over the volume of 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters, is to be packaged accordingly and per the introduced 3-1-1 liquid Rule. 

Beauty products and their categorization as a liquid when flying is not only limited to your mascara but also extends to and includes other products, such as moisturizer, foundation, and hairspray. 

TSA’s 3-1-1 Rule:

For some people, it might be their first time hearing the term “TSA’s 3-1-1 Rule.” To reinforce, 3-1-1 is one of the most crucial regulations ever introduced by the authorities. Not following the rule will be only to your detriment, whereby you would have to suffer with either discarding the alleged liquid product or having it confiscated. 

Do not just be intimidated by the rule; instead, affiliate yourself with the nitty and gritty of it so you do not have to endure any problems or hassle at the airport’s security checkpoint. Since TSA counts mascara as a liquid product when packing it, you will adhere to the 3-1-1.

3-1-1 dictates and applies to all those products that are in the volume of 100 ml or 3.4 ounces and are to be carried in hand luggage. All liquid containers smaller or equal to the stated volume must be placed in a clear, plastic, resealable, and single quart-sized bag. 

Therefore, when placing mascara in your carry-on luggage, you are supposed to keep it in a quart-sized bag.

Loopholes In The Rule:

Remember, 3-1-1 is only for hand luggage, so whatever liquid goes in the carry-on has to first pass through the implications of the regulation only to be declared safe and permitted at the security terminal. 

Any product in the form of a liquid, gel, lotion, cream, or paste must be in containers equal to the one pronounced by the 3-1-1 rule or less. However, you will not have to look out for any size limitations or quantity limits with powdered or solid makeup. 

If you do not want to stick by this rule and still carry your mascara on board and in your luggage, seek out the loophole and place the item in your checked baggage. 

Checked luggage has no restrictions for packaging mascara, and just putting the mascara in the corner of your suitcase to be checked will suffice for its transportation. 

Mascara And Traveling Internationally: 

As far as the rules go for traveling with mascara internationally, all the considerations that you make on a domestic flight are also to be made when boarding a plane for an international flight.

Mascara is not only considered but also treated as a liquid by airport authorities globally; hence, you cannot anticipate escaping the 3-1-1 rule in any travel destination. All airline regulators of countries limit hand baggage liquid products to quantities of 100 or smaller. 

We advise when flying internationally to pack toiletries and mascara in a ziplock measuring 1 liter and 20 by 20 cm. This is because some countries resist using reusable toiletry bags and may not allow nor accept it boarding on a plane.

There are some exceptions to domestic flights in Australia and New Zealand where you do not have to worry about mascara being considered a liquid under the 3-1-1 rule and having to be packed in a quart bag. 

The reason underlying this leniency demonstrated by the two countries is the modern airport scanners that they have switched to, which has allowed them to reduce safety risks with liquids in carry-on luggage. 

All That TSA Counts As A Liquid: 

TSA counts all those substances as a liquid that is viscous and free-flowing and has a formulation of a gel, aerosol, cream, pastes, and fluid. 

Some common examples of beauty products falling as a classification under the 3-1-1 rule are the following:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS):

Does mascara need to go in a liquid bag on a plane?

Since mascara is defined as a liquid by the TSA, it has to go in the liquid bag on a plane.

Is mascara a liquid airport security?

Yes, mascara Is a liquid at the airport security.

Can I bring mascara on a carry-on?

Mascara is only to be brought along in a carry-on bag as long as it is per the guidelines of the 3-1-1 rule; otherwise, pack it in your checked bag.

Does lipstick class as a liquid when flying?

No, lipsticks and balms are not classed as a liquid when flying. 

Conclusion: 

Now that you have a certain answer to is mascara considered a liquid when flying, we expect all our readers to pack, keeping in mind the outlined specifications. If you have already packed your mascara, unpack and re-pack accordingly!