So THANK YOU TSA for being a curse and a blessing that forces us to exercise restraint in our packing!

What toiletries can I bring in my carry-on? 

Here are the TSA 3-1-1 guidelines for liquids and gels for carry-on bags. Pack your items in a 1-quart clear plastic bag, or a TSA approved cosmetic bag like this one on Amazon. 

I prefer clear cosmetic bags that you can squeeze more into without risking rips and punctures like a Ziploc bag. 

Some airports are stricter than others and require you to place your clear bag in its own bin at airport security. In addition, some international airports (LHR for example) have been known to make travelers transfer the contents from their personal clear bag into a quart-size bag provided by airport security. 

My advice – follow the 3-1-1 rules fully unless you are willing to throw away products or cause delays at airport security

You’ve read the TSA’s website but still unclear? 

• Any individual liquid/aerosols/gel/cream/paste must be 3. 4 ounces (100 ml) or less
• All of your 3.4 ounce containers must collectively fit into a single 1-quart clear bag
• You are allowed only ONE 1-quart clear bag per traveler (not per carry-on)
• You can pack as many 3.4 ounce (100 ml) products you want as long they all fit into a single clear 1-quart bag.
• Exceptions to the rule
  • Certain medications, baby formula, and breast milk.
  • At the time of this writing, hand sanitizer up to 12 ounces is allowed per traveler

If you’ve never tried to meet the 3-1-1 rule before, you may think it will be a piece of cake. 

Others may think it’s going to be impossible.

I assumed I’d have more than enough space but it ended up being my BIGGEST challenge. I’m happy to say I made it work and so can you!

Travel within the United States seems to be less restrictive than international travel. That is just my observation not rule of thumb, so proceed at your own discretion. **I would never take a chance packing a product outside my 1-quart bag that I wasn’t comfortable parting with**

When I’m flying from other countries back into the US, I usually check a bag on my return flights due to souvenirs and my liquids go in the checked bag home. However, if you are trying to avoid paying a checked bag fee you’ll need to adhere to the liquid rules for carry-on.

When traveling outside the US, review the guidelines for the airport and country you travel through and anticipate strict enforcement. Some International flights with connections require you to go through security checkpoint a 2^nd time.

Deodorants – The TSA’s rule stipulates any non-solid substances that spray, squeeze, or pour fall under the 3-1-1 rule. Deodorant included. Some roll-on deodorants are 3.5 ounces which would technically be above the allowed limit. Solid versus cream deodorants can be grey areas. By the rule, a solid deodorant doesn’t have to be in your 1-quart bag but gel and roll-on deodorants do.

The easiest option is to pack a travel size solid deodorant in a side compartment and not take up precious 3-1-1- space. I use an aluminum free deodorant brand, Lume, which at the time of my last trip didn’t have a solid version. I traveled with my 2.6 oz Lume cream stick in my luggage side pocket, and it cleared TSA. However, I also have a .75 oz travel size Lume cream tube which takes up minimal space in my 1-quart bag I plan to use for future travel. 

Shampoo/Conditioners – There are lots of travel sized products for sale or purchase reusable travel containers and fill with your own.  You can also consider non-liquid options that won’t fall into your liquid limits such as solid bar shampoos and conditioners. These go right in your suitcase, no pesky leaking and not subject to the 3-1-1 rule. Below are some solid bars I have purchased from Amazon. If you have color treated hair, be careful to research ones that won’t strip your color.

One thing to note – if you are truly pressed for space, deodorant, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, mascara, can easily be purchased at any grocery store upon arrival.

What you NEED versus what you WANT to bring are two different things

What are your essentials? (beyond prescription products)

Skin Care

• Cleanser
• Toner
• Moisturizer
• Sunscreen
• Other: Retinols, vitamin C, HCAs

Hair Care

• Shampoo & Conditioner (solid bars aren’t a liquid)
• One hair product/gel
• Hairspray if needed

Makeup

• Primer
• Foundation
• Concealer
• Blush (cream and powders don’t count as liquids)
• Powder
• Eyeshadow, Eyeliner, Eyebrow
  • Save space by using one shadow pallet and a brush for all 3 applications. Pack powder pallets properly to avoid breakage.
• Mascara (should be in the quart bag, if left out it could be flagged)
• Lipstick (solids do not count towards liquids)
• Consider a combo Lip/Blush stick like this to save suitcase space

Other Considerations:

     TIPS:

• Save up your samples!
  • I use Skinceuticals for skincare, Sephora for cosmetics and stock up on free samples with purchases. This not only helps with space but leaves me with less containers to bring home and unpack! Throwing out empties the last day of a trip gives such a feeling of satisfaction?
• Perfume – go to your department store and get some samples
• Save your “almost empty” products for trips
  • My Lume deodorant was running out so I saved it for my upcoming trip, It was enough for my time away and was one less thing to bring home and unpack.
• Contact Lens Cases
  • WOMEN – how much product do you need?
  • For a few bucks, purchase a pack of Contact Lens Cases, fill them with just enough product for your trip. Toss them at the end or bring them home.  I fit the below products in six contact lens cases for my 2-week trip.

Huge space saver AND leakproof

• 1 Case – Undereye cream and undereye concealer

• 1 Case – Face primer and CC cream

• 1 Case Retinol/Retin-A and Night serum product

• Both Compartments of 1 Case – Liquid foundation

• Both compartments of 1 Case – Daytime moisturizer

• Both compartments of 1 Case – Nighttime moisturizer

In addition to the contact case, I always bring a few single use moisturizer samples to make sure I have enough product.

Non-Liquid Product Recommendations; that can be packed outside of your 3-1-1- bag:

• Powder Sunscreen
• Solid Shampoo Bar
• Solid Conditioner Bar
• Tinted lip balm
• Lipstick or Lipstick/Blush Combo
• Makeup wipes