YES — Allowed in Carry-on Bags on United Airlines
Solid lipsticks, lip balms, and chapsticks are fully allowed in carry-on without size limits. Liquid lip gloss must comply with the 3-1-1 rule.
Can you bring lipstick on United Airlines?
Quick Answer
Yes — Lipstick is allowed in carry-on bags on United Airlines flights. Solid lipsticks, lip balms, and chapsticks are fully allowed in carry-on without size limits. Liquid lip gloss must comply with the 3-1-1 rule.
Also known as: chapstick, lip gloss, lip balm
What is lipstick?
Yes — Lipstick is allowed in carry-on bags by TSA. Solid lipsticks, lip balms, and chapsticks are fully allowed in carry-on without size limits. Liquid lip gloss must comply with the 3-1-1 rule.
Allowed In Cabin
Solid lipsticks, lip balms, and chapsticks are fully allowed in carry-on without size limits. Liquid lip gloss must comply with the 3-1-1 rule.
Allowed In Hold
Lipstick and lip gloss are allowed in checked baggage.
Airline & country baggage checker
Pick your airline or destination to see the limits that apply to Lipstick.
TSA & United Airlines Liquids Rule
49 CFR § 1540.111 — Aviation Security Authority
Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (§ 1540.111) dictates the 3-1-1 liquids rule for passenger cabin baggage. Containers carrying lipstick must be 3.4 fluid ounces (100 milliliters) or smaller by capacity. Larger containers that are only partially full are still prohibited in cabin baggage unless they fall under medical or infant care exemptions. Containers larger than 3.4 oz must be packed in checked luggage.
Security Checkpoint Screening Procedure
When passing through the TSA checkpoint with lipstick, place your travel-sized container (3.4 oz / 100 mL or less) inside a clear, quart-sized plastic bag. If standard 2D X-ray machines are operating at your lane, extract the quart bag and lay it flat in a screening bin. At airports equipped with modern 3D CT computed tomography scanners, you may leave your liquids inside your bag unless instructed otherwise by Transportation Security Officers. Medical liquids or baby nourishment exceeding 3.4 oz must be declared immediately prior to screening for manual inspection or explosive trace detection (ETD) testing.
Step-by-Step Packing Guide for United Airlines Passengers
Liquid, gel, or cream beauty products — including lipstick — must be in 3.4 oz (100 ml) or smaller containers and fit inside one quart-sized clear bag.
Sharp beauty tools such as nail scissors under 4 inches are generally permitted; check TSA guidelines for any bladed accessories.
Place fragile glass bottles inside bubble wrap or a padded cosmetics case to prevent breakage inside your bag.
Keep high-value beauty items (serums, perfumes) in your carry-on rather than checked luggage to avoid loss or theft.
Remove the liquids bag at the checkpoint; consolidate remaining beauty products in a separate organisational pouch inside your bag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Verified travel information
This document has been reviewed and verified by our travel reference editors. All statuses, notes and guidelines are checked against live security feeds from the TSA (Transportation Security Administration), FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and CBP (Customs and Border Protection).