Can You Bring Nail Polish On A Plane?

As we all know, the rush before boarding your plane can be chaotic. The last thing you may be thinking about is touching up your nail polish! 

However, if you are looking to fix your nails before you reach your special destination but wondering whether or not you can bring nail polish on a plane. Well, you’ve come to the right place! 

The short answer is yes! You can bring your nail on a plane if it corresponds with TSA regulations. 

To help you understand everything you need to know about bringing nail polish on a plane, we have created a detailed guide to all your queries. Let’s get straight into it. 

Does The TSA Allow Nail Polish On A Plane?

Under the TSA, if your nail polish conforms to the liquid rules; you are able to bring it on a plane. For carry-on luggage, your nail polish must be less or equal to 100ml/3.4oz. For checked-in luggage, there is no specified limit to nail polish. 

The TSA, or the Transportation Security Administration, is based in the USA and is a government-led agency that protects the transportation of passengers. Since 2001, the TSA has assured the safety of transportation freedom between commerce and people. 

As a whole, the TSA regulates the different items that can be transported by plane, determining what can and cannot be brought onto an aircraft using a meticulous screening process.

How To Pack Nail Polish For A Flight?

When bringing any liquids on a plane including nail polish, pastes, aerosols, creams, and pastes, they cannot be more than 100ml/3.4oz and must be stored in a clear quart-sized bag. These bags are only permitted for one per person. 

Likewise, the bags themselves cannot exceed 100ml/ 3.4oz, too. For instance, if you were to use a bag that is labeled 200ml/ 6.8oz, although the contents inside were less than 100ml/ 3.4oz; the TSA officials will still reject it. 

When traveling with nail polish, ensure that it is securely packaged in your checked-in luggage. 

This is because checked-in luggage can sometimes be handled roughly, putting your valuable contents at risk of breaking.

Do All Airlines Allow You To Bring Nail Polish On A Plane? 

While the TSA may allow you to bring nail polish on flights in the USA, other countries’ equivalent officials may not. 

Another thing to remember is that different airlines also have their own regulations of what is and is not allowed on their aircraft.

Therefore, before traveling to the airport, make sure to check the specific airline rules and regulations in regards to liquids and carry-on items. Generally, when you book your flights, you’ll receive an email detailing all this information. 

Can You Bring A Nail Polish Remover On A Plane?

Yes! The TSA authorizes bringing nail polish remover on the plane. Although similar to nail polish, you have to ensure that it permits the liquid allowance that is 100ml/ 3.4oz for carry-on luggage. 

However, it is important to remember that nail polish remover is highly flammable; therefore, there may be limits set in place regarding the volume of remover permitted.

Make sure to check the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) for more information regarding the approved volume of toiletry and medicinal items. 

Can You Use Nail Polish On A Plane?

Generally, the use of nail polish on a flight isn’t recommended. This is because some people can be sensitive to the strong odor of nail polish and/ or remover. 

In a statement produced by the FAA, they outline that while some items are permitted in carry-on luggage, this doesn’t mean they can be used on flights.

They go on to say that you should consult the flight crew before using another that produces a strong vapor or odor, this includes nail polish and remover.

This was evident in a 2019 case where Southwest Airlines issued an aircraft swap due to a worker taking illness. This is speculated to be due to the strong odor of acetone leaking into the cargo hold. 

Can You Bring Manicure Items On A Plane?

A Typical manicure kit can include items such as a nail file, nail clippers, tweezers, and a cuticle pusher.

This may include scissors, as well. However, most of these items contain sharp and potentially harmful edges which could be considered a weapon by the Security Officers. Below, we have detailed whether or not you can bring these items on the flight:

• Nail Clippers – These are permitted by the TSA. Although, it’s important to note that any sharp edges must be securely wrapped or sheathed to prevent any injuries sustained by passengers or luggage handlers. 
• Metal nail files – These are permitted by the TSA. Like the nail clippers, these too must be sheathed or securely wrapped when placed in carry-on baggage. 
• Tweezers – These are permitted by the TSA. Again, make sure to sheath or wrap any sharp edges to prevent anybody from sustaining any related injuries. 
• Cuticle pushers – These are permitted by the TSA. The same regulations apply here when it comes to any sharp edges.
• Scissors – These are permitted by the TSA. While there are no regulations to having scissors in checked baggage, for a carry-on bag, your scissors must be equal to or less than 10.16/ 4 inches from the pivot point. However, it’s important to remember that these items can still be confiscated regardless of whether they are meeting regulations. 

Final Thoughts

There are a lot of rules and regulations to remember whilst traveling by plane. From liquid allowances to sharp and pointy items, it’s important to follow these rules for a straightforward flight process. 

In short, while you can bring nail polish on most flights, you should always confirm with the flight attendants whether or not it can be used. Hopefully, this guide has informed you about bringing nail polish on planes.