Yes. Solid and powder makeup and lipstick have no size limit in carry-ons. Liquid, gel or cream makeup such as foundation and mascara must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less in your quart bag. All makeup is fine in checked bags.
TSA allows solid makeup and lipstick in carry-on bags without a size limit. Mascara and other liquid or cream cosmetics (foundation, liquid eyeliner, concealer) must be in containers of 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less in your quart-size bag. Powders over 12 oz (350 ml) must go in a separate bin for X-ray and may get extra screening.
Makeup is allowed in checked bags. Liquid makeup remover is a restricted toiletry under FAA rules: max 0.5 kg (18 oz) or 500 ml (17 fl oz) per container and 2 kg (70 oz) or 2 L (68 fl oz) total per person.
Checked against official TSA, FAA and government pages on . These are US rules unless we say otherwise; the TSA officer at the checkpoint makes the final call.
The rules in numbers
- Solid makeup and lipstick: no carry-on size limit
- Mascara, liquid foundation and other liquid/cream makeup in carry-on: 3.4 oz (100 ml) per container, in your quart-size bag
- Powders over 12 oz (350 ml) in carry-on: separate X-ray bin, possible extra screening
- Liquid makeup remover in checked bags: max 500 ml (17 fl oz) per container, 2 L (68 fl oz) total restricted toiletries per person
Packing tips
- Makeup wipes are allowed in carry-ons and don't count as liquids, so they can replace bottled makeup remover.
- Pressed powders, stick foundations and solid cream sticks save quart-bag space for the items that truly are liquid.
- Mascara tubes are small but still count as liquids; put them in the quart bag to avoid a bag search.
Outside the US
- UKGOV.UK lists mascara, lip gloss, creams and lotions as liquids, limited to 100 ml per container at most UK airports (some allow up to 2 litres). Source
- EULiquid and cream cosmetics must be 100 ml or less per container in one transparent bag of up to 1 litre. Source
Flying somewhere else? See the rules for the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.
Questions people ask
Does mascara count as a liquid for TSA?
Yes. TSA limits mascara to 3.4 oz (100 ml) per container in carry-on bags, so put it in your quart-size bag.
Do I need to put lipstick in my liquids bag?
No. TSA allows lipstick in carry-on bags without a liquids-rule limit; liquid lip gloss is a different story and should go in the quart bag.