Can you bring nail polish on a plane? Nail polish is a simple beauty item that is used by millions of women around the world every day. Traveling can often feel like a busy experience in which you don’t have enough time to get ready. As air travel resumes after a long hiatus with COVID-19, you may be wondering, if I don’t have time to do my nails, can I bring nail polish on an airplane?
According to the Transportation Security Agency (TSA), you may bring nail polish on the plane but of course under certain restrictions. If you don’t have time to get your nails done and need to bring nail polish on your flight, you may only bring 3.4 ounces or 100 ML/ per person. This limit is only for carry-on baggage. It is important that if you do plan to bring nail polish in your carry-on that you follow the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule.
TSA 3-1-1 Rule
The 3-1-1 rule refers to what each passenger may bring in their carry-on luggage. Each passenger is allowed to bring one quart-sized bag of gels, liquids, and aerosols on board. If you are bringing nail polish, you must abide by the 3-1-1. If not you will be subject to fines or to disposing of your nail polish while going through security points.
It is important to note, that although you are allowed to fly with nail polish, in accordance with TSA rules, the ultimate approval authority for all items brought on board are the security agents. A reminder that you will be asked to remove your quart-sized bag that contains your nail polish as you go through security. If you have TSA pre-check or CLEAR, you may not be required to remove these items from your luggage.
Carry On Luggage
If you are packing nail polish to bring in your carry-on, we recommend that you use a smaller size resealable bag. You can then place it in the bigger quart size to prevent damage in case your nail polish breaks. You may also consider cushioning the quart-size bag. This serves to minimize the impact as you roll through the airport and move your bag through the airplane cabin. Furthermore, please note that your quart-size bag must be clear. This is so TSA agents can inspect your liquids as you go through the security point.
It is imperative that you follow the 3-1-1 rule for your carry-on baggage. If you bring more than the allowed liquids or more bottles of nail polish, it can have consequences. TSA agents can discard or confiscate your items . Once you are through the security point, you can purchase nail polish at no limit at duty-free stores. However, we still advise that you separate your nail polish in a quart-sized bag. If you plan on purchasing nail polish, after going through security, make sure to plan ahead and have resealable bags.
Checked Baggage
Nail polish restrictions are vastly different when packing it in checked baggage. If you are packing nail polish in your checked baggage, there are no restrictions on the amount that you can bring. Packing your nail polish in your checked baggage is a bit riskier because you run a higher risk of breaking as. If not packed right it can break and cause a disaster on your packed items.
Nail polish already has a higher viscosity than other liquids due to its chemical structure. If you put it in your checked baggage, the cold temperatures in the cargo compartment may affect its consistency once you land. Make sure that you shake your nail polish bottle before using it for the best results.
Domestic Flights v. International Flights.
If you are traveling within the United States, then you are safe to use the TSA 3-1-1 rule. Most domestic flights do not have any additional restrictions on nail polish in addition to the ones published by the TSA.
International flights are a whole different beast, as many countries have restrictions on items brought onboard. Passengers in the past have reported that when traveling to different countries, TSA forced them to dispose of their nail polish due to international restrictions on nail polish. It is important that you check travel restrictions on your international flight to see if nail polish is allowed on the plane.
There might be customs points of entry in which your bags can be searched and you do not want to be found in violation of any port of entry rules. As it pertains to checked luggage, there are no restrictions on nail polish in your checked baggage if you are leaving from the United States. However, once you arrive at your final destination we encourage you to read the customs rules of the country that you are visiting. You may not be able to fly back with nail polish even in your checked luggage
So You Packed Your Nail Polish, What’s Next?
Can you paint your nails at the airport?
So you’ve managed to bring your nail polish on the plane. Now what is next? You may be wondering can I do my nails at the airport? Doing your nails after getting through security might be a better option than trying to paint your nails onboard.
There are many airport areas in which you can find some space to do your nails. Or if you have access to any airport lounge you may be able to do your nails there as well. As always, be sure to ask first if doing your nails at an airport restaurant or lounge is allowed. The scent emitted by nail polish is very strong and has toxins that can bother or make some of your fellow travelers sick.
If you are going to do your nails at the airport, we recommend that you bring materials to clean up in case you have some spillage.
Using Nail Polish Onboard
If you are rushing to the airport and managed to get your nail polish on the plane, in your carry-on luggage, you may want to paint your nails once you get on board. This again requires that you check the airline policies that you are traveling with. Some airlines may allow you to travel with nail polish on board but will not allow you to use your nail polish due to its toxic fumes. It may also pose difficult to do your nails if your flight hits turbulence.
Airlines like United, Southwest, and American Airlines will not hesitate to ask customers from refraining on painting their nails while on board. “United doesn’t have a formal policy on nail polishing in flight, but as a courtesy, we may ask customers to refrain from doing so for the comfort of their fellow passengers,” Karen May, a spokeswoman for United Airlines, told ABC News.
Post-pandemic travel has also heightened airline stewardess to compliance with all TSA rules. Previously, you could not be arrested for simply using nail polish on a plane. However, you can be arrested if you choose to not comply with flight crew directions.
Why is Nail Polish Toxic?
Nail polish fumes can be very toxic, particularly if not in a well-ventilated area. As we all know, airplane cabins recirculate air. This means that if you open a nail polish bottle, the fumes can recirculate to your fellow passengers. New aircraft circulate as much as 50% of airflow through the airplane cabin.
Specifically, nail polish contains several chemicals that make its fumes toxic if inhaled over a prolonged period. Many nail polishes contain the ‘toxic trio’-dibutyl phthalate(DBP), toluene, and formaldehyde. All of these chemicals are toxic. The trio is known to cause cancer, affect reproductive health, and inhibit the nervous system.
The European Union has banned DBP from cosmetic and personal care products. Australia has classified DBP as a dangerous chemical. If you are traveling to these parts of the world make sure that you check your nail polish prior to boarding it to avoid fines. The toxic fumes that nail polish emits are the main reason why airlines may not allow passengers to do their nails onboard.
Nail Polish Trouble
Just last month, American Airlines responded to reports of an unusual smell coming from the cargo compartments of one of their planes. The event took place at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, in North Carolina. The airport responded by sending five fire trucks due to the pungent smell, only to discover it was a bottle of broken nail polish. Nail polish is flammable due to the chemicals it contains. As discussed earlier, however, no one was hurt in this particular incident.
This is not the only time that bringing nail polish on the plane has resulted in an inconvenience for airport staff and passengers. In 2012, a flight en route to Houston, Texas, faced an issue that requiring law enforcement and the detention of the passenger.
After several times of being asked to stop painting her nails in-flight by flight attendants the woman refused. As a results the woman and two flight attendants got into an argument. The issue escalated between the group and by the time the flight arrived in Houston the woman was detained. She spent ten hours detained for using profane language; charges were later dropped.
“For the comfort of all our passengers on board, this practice is frowned upon and the customer will be asked to put away their polish,” said a representative from Southwest. He was involved in the paint-related police report in 2012.
Nail polish onboard planes has caused trouble in the past. We urge you to be mindful of how you pack this delicate item. If you follow the instructions of the flight crew you can avoid fines, jail time, and other unpleasantries.
Other Nail Tools
If you plan on brining nail polish on the plane, it is probably safe to assume that you might need other items. For example, you may be wondering if you can bring a nail polish remover. The answer is yes! You can bring nail polish remover as long as you follow the TSA 3-1-1 rule.
Nonetheless, nail polish remover also contains toxic fumes and its scent is very unpleasant. Similar to nail polish, if you use this onboard flight attendants may ask you to put it away. Nail polish remover is highly flammable so be careful if you pack it in your carry-on or checked luggage.
Alternatives to Nail Polish On Board
If you are feeling unsure about bringing nail polish on a plane, we have a couple of suggestions for you.
- If you did not have time to get your nails done, you can still bring nail polish to the airport. Once you get through the security checkpoint, you can paint your nails prior to boarding. After you finish, you can dispose of the nail polish instead of bringing it on board.
- Many airports offer spa services after their security checkpoints. For example, the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport offers three different spa locations at terminals A, D, and E. You can get your nails done at any of these locations. Some of the best airport spas are:
- London Heathrow
- LAX
- Hong Kong International
- Munich Airport
- Portland International
- If you have a long layover between flights, rather than bringing nail polish on a plane, you can search for local nail salons. Local nail salons often offer cheaper prices than getting your nails done at an airport.
No- Mess Nail Polish
Our favorite alternative to bringing nail polish on a plane, are nail strips. Nail strips are adhesives that you cut and shape to your nail and stick on. They require no drying time nor do they expel toxic fumes. They are fairly easy to use and to pack in your luggage.
Nail stickers are also similar to nail strips and are easy to use with no mess left behind. They come in different designs too, offering different colors and patterns.
Finally…
Our biggest advice is to make sure that you read all TSA rules and airlines restrictions.