Woman Shares Relatable Airport Problem for Beauty Lovers: ‘Stress’

For those of us who don’t like wearing the ‘airport dad’ cap, catching a flight can be a stressful experience.

Rushing through security, trying to find the right gate number, and meandering through crowds all contribute to pre-vacation strain, not to mention what is arguably the biggest stress-inducing factor of flying: the liquids rule.

Beauty lovers around the world will relate to the stress and anxiety triggered by the dreaded clear plastic bags at airport security. Many have experienced the heartbreak of their beloved beauty products being confiscated due to either being above the size limit, or because the bag is simply stuffed to full, so they are unable to close it.

One person who knows how stressful the experience can be is Dianali, known on TikTok as @dianaliofficial, who shared a video trying to close a resealable bag full of products. It is captioned: “I can’t believe the amount of stress this plastic bag has caused me.”

It’s clear Dianali isn’t alone in this feeling, as the clip gained over 104,000 likes and 1.2 million views since being shared on April 17. The video sparked many comments debating the correct way to pack your beauty essentials for airport security, and which products the rule applies to.

What Does the TSA Say?

The Transport Security Administration’s (TSA) website says that any liquids, gels, aerosols, creams, or pastes must be removed from your carry-on bag and placed into a clear, resealable bag.

The TSA adds on its website: “You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in the small bag and separating from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process. Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage.

“Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream or paste that alarms during screening will require additional screening,” the TSA website says.

In short, most of your favorite beauty products will have to fit into the bag, so be selective when choosing what to bring with you on vacation if you are flying only with a carry-on.

There are some exceptions to the rule for inbound international flights, subject to certain requirements, as the TSA says:

“You may carry duty free liquids in secure, tamper–evident bags, more than 3.4 oz or 100 ml in your carry-on bag if:

• The duty-free liquids were purchased internationally and you are traveling to the United States with a connecting flight.
• The liquids are packed in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag by the retailer and do not show signs of tampering when presented to TSA for screening.
• The original receipt for the liquids is present and the purchase was made within 48 hours.”

What Do the Comments Say?

The comments section was full of people sharing Dianali’s stress, as one wrote: “I started crying the other day when I was doing this.”

“The amount of makeup TSA has taken of mine, now I just always check in,” added another.

Other users reflected on their own experiences, as one shared: “I got into a whole debate with the security agent of whether mascara was a liquid.”

“You don’t need to put mascara in it! Lifehack to safe a space as it’s not liquid,” added a second.

Some admitted to taking risks to save their products, as one posted: “I literally leave it in my makeup bag every time and they never say anything.”