Curl cream, shea butter, edge control, and lace glue spray — if you’re traveling with your beauty arsenal, TSA’s liquids rules still apply.
An inconvenience for even the most seasoned jet-setters, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) throws away travelers’ personal items every day. And very often those belongings are for one’s beauty and hygiene routines. But what travelers usually find most frustrating is that they were either completely unaware that their item was prohibited from hitting the skies, or they forgot it was even among their packed belongings. Even worse, airport security agents can and often do toss prohibited items even if they were expensive to purchase.
Those traveling with commonly used beauty products for melanin-rich skin and textured hair may have culturally resonant questions about how to safely and smartly fly with their items. But as long as they follow the TSA’s guidelines for traveling with creams, gels, liquids, pastes, and aerosols, they’re less likely to risk having their products and hair tools tossed.
What Should Black Travelers Know About The TSA’s Liquid Rules?
A major factor is whether you’re placing your products in your carry-on or checked baggage. If the items will be in your carry-on, personal item, or pockets, they’ll need to abide by the TSA’s “3-1-1 rule.” Under it, travelers are allowed to bring up to a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams, and pastes. However, each item must be 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less.
Also keep in mind that things that are “creamy and spreadable” – including shea and cocoa butters, other skincare items, edge control, and even lace glue – must also abide by the 3-1-1 rule. Just make sure that if you’re taking something through airport security, that it’s travel-size and TSA-friendly.
Any larger personal care items you’re traveling with that are more than 3.4 ounces – such as body oils, containers of hair product, and cans of lace melt/bond sprays – will need to go in your checked bag. Using spill-proof bottles and containers and placing your products in a bag before packing them with your clothes can prevent mishaps.
With aerosols in checked baggage, “The total aggregate quantity per person cannot exceed 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces).” Additionally, “The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces),” per the TSA. The source further noted that “Permitted aerosol release devices (button/nozzle) must be protected by caps or other suitable means to prevent accidental release.”
What About Hair Tools?
Regarding hairstyling, barbering, and all other electrical tools, travelers should be aware of whether their items contain lithium batteries.
Hair clippers, hair dryers, hair straighteners, and curling wands with cords attached are allowed in checked baggage and carry-ons. Cordless curling irons and hair straighteners with lithium metal, lithium ion batteries, or that are gas or butane-fueled are generally “only allowed in carry-on bags.” Even still, those items must have a safety cover securely fitted over the heating element. Additionally, any “gas refills (spare cartridges) are not permitted.”
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