RESTRICTED — Allowed with Conditions on American Airlines
Mascara is classified as a liquid/gel by the TSA and is subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule in carry-on baggage. The tube must be 3.4 oz (100ml) or less and fit inside your quart-sized clear plastic liquids bag.
Can you bring mascara on American Airlines?
Quick Answer
Mascara is restricted in carry-on bags on American Airlines. Mascara is classified as a liquid/gel by the TSA and is subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule in carry-on baggage. The tube must be 3.4 oz (100ml) or less and fit inside your quart-sized clear plastic liquids bag.
Also known as: liquid mascara, waterproof mascara, lash primer, brow gel, clear mascara, lash serum, eyelash glue, liquid eyeliner, gel eyeliner, eye makeup
What is mascara?
Mascara is allowed in carry-on with restrictions. Mascara is classified as a liquid/gel by the TSA and is subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule in carry-on baggage. The tube must be 3.4 oz (100ml) or less and fit inside your quart-sized clear plastic liquids bag. Larger quantities may be stored in checked luggage without the size restriction.
Restricted In Cabin
Mascara is classified as a liquid/gel by the TSA and is subject to the 3-1-1 liquids rule in carry-on baggage. The tube must be 3.4 oz (100ml) or less and fit inside your quart-sized clear plastic liquids bag.
Allowed In Hold
Mascara and all makeup cosmetics are fully allowed in checked baggage without size or quantity restrictions.
Airline & country baggage checker
Pick your airline or destination to see the limits that apply to Mascara.
TSA & American 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 mascara 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 mascara, 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 American Airlines Passengers
Liquid, gel, or cream beauty products — including mascara — 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).