Cosmetics and the TSA

Absolutely! I am the wife of a retired airline pilot and travel frequently, both in the U.S. and abroad. 3 1/2 oz each container in a clear zip lok bag is allowed in your carry on. No problems with lipstick and mascara. When I travel and want to use my larger cosmetics, like cleansing cream, shampoo, etc., I double zip lok them and put them in checked luggage. Usually, I get the hairdresser to give me extra shampoo samples, etc., or buy the drug store items in small tubes, like toothpaste, etc. I put them in the very top of my carry on so I can pull them out easily when going through Security.

Yes if they are gels or liquid and you want to put them as carry on luggage, they count. They have to be in the quart bag and must be less than 3 oz.

Just want to throw out there that when we flew home last year from Heathrow, as we were heading in with our bags, a lady is there with her clear bags saying liquids of course, but also lipstick, mascara, lip balms...grrr...didn't have this issue flying from Canada over...so I'm standing off to the side trying to dig out my mascara and lipsticks/balm...honestly, I'm sure I missed something, and the scanners didn't really check, but just wanted to throw that out there if you are flying home thru Heathrow (and this didn't happen when we flew from Gatwick-Venice a few weeks earlier).

You can get A LOT of stuff - liquid foundations/facial creams included! - in these. I'd never get to fly if I didn't use these ;-) My (powdered) mineral make-ups go in these, any 'specialty' creams/potions (heels, eyes, small amts of sunscreen, hair products/gels/pomades) that come in huge containers and are waaay too large for a 2-3 week trip, and even earrings. Sometimes I use one for scented lotions (Bath and Body Works, etc). Just stuff those puppies in your sturdy quart bag! Always travel with at least one extra quart bag just in case yours has a blow-out. It happens...eventually. Keep it with your 3-1-1 stuff at the airport - THAT'S when your blow-out is guaranteed to occur :-( You can use them for pills, too 8^P

I heard my name! - or the word cosmetics, that is. Same thing! Yes, cosmetics should go into your quart bag. For me, this includes liquid foundation, concealer, lip gloss, and mascara. I am not sure what the rule is on powders, like eye shadow, blush, or loose foundation, but I stick them in there also just for precautionary reasons. No one is throwing away my cosmetics at security and have me getting off a place looking a hot mess! Not to piggyback off your question, Jim, but since I'm here: does anyone know about "powers" like eyeshadow?

monique, your powder eye shadow is neither a liquid or a gel. so it doesnt count. years ago, someone at work gave me a sephora card for christmas. i bought a $30 mascara. i didnt think to consider it a liquid. the tsa took it away.