Can You Take Hairspray on a Plane? [Yes, Size Rules Apply]
Yes, you can take hairspray on a plane. The main thing you need to be conscious of is the liquid rule, that it must be in a container less than 3.4 ounces or 100ml. Note, it is the size of the container that matters, not the amount of hairspray in it.
I’m not sure about you, but I find the varied approach to security checks at different airports confusing.
Take this week.
I left Melbourne Airport with Rex airlines for a business trip to Brisbane. When I got to the security conveyor, I was told there was no need to do anything. No shoe removal, no clear see-through bag needed for toiletries, not even my laptop needed separately.
However, when I came back the other way through Brisbane Airport (this time with Virgin) they wanted to check everything! Belt off, laptop out and coat off. Strange how things differ in the same country.
The one specific question they asked me was not about toiletries though it was about aerosols, they needed to be taken out and put in one of their little plastic tubs. After a debate the lady in front of my had with the security staff, it got me wondering, can I take hairspray on a plane?
In the rest of this article, I will share with the rest of the research I did about taking hairspray on a plane.
Can You Bring Hairspray on a Plane?
Yes you can take hairspray on a plane.
In hand luggage it is subject to the same rules as liquids and must be less than 100ml or 3.4Oz and you will often be asked to put it in a clear bag.
Larger hairsprays need to go into checked luggage, but there are a few minor restrictions that you can read in the next section.
Can You Take Hairspray in Hand Luggage?
Yes, you can take hairspray in and luggage, but it is treated as a liquid if you do, and therefore must meet the maximum liquid requirements, which means the container (not the liquid itself) must be less than 100ml or 3.4Oz.
Can You Pack Hairspray in Checked Luggage?
Yes, you can pack hairspray in checked luggage, but there are still a few rules that apply.
According to TSA guidelines, the total quantity of toiletries any person can carry cannot be more than 2 kilograms (70 ounces) or 2 litres (68 fluid ounces). The capacity of any single container must also not exceed 5 grams (18 ounces) or 500 millilitres (17 fluid ounces).
Any aerosols (which most hairsprays are) must also have their caps in place to ensure that, if pressure changes cause them to go off, the spray is controlled.
Good advice for protection of your own luggage as well!
Can You Take Full Size Hairspray on a Plane?
Yes, you can, but only in checked baggage, not in hand luggage and using the rules above.
If you take a full sized hairspray bottle through security checks, it is likely to show up on the scanners and will get confiscated.
Can You Take Travel Size Hairspray on a Plane?
Yes, you can take travel sized hairspray on a plane, as long as the container is under 3.4Oz or 100ml.
Please note, it is the size of the container that matters, not the amount of liquid left in the container.
You may also be asked to place the hairspray in a see-through bag to present at security, though this isn’t the case everywhere, especially as airports roll out three-dimensional CT scanning technology. This eliminates the need to remove aerosols, liquids and laptops from bags and significantly cuts down wait times.
Can You Take Aerosol Hair Spray on a Plane?
There are no specific restrictions on aerosols when flying, as they have been deemed safe, however they must meet the liquid, aerosol and gel rules applied by most airlines of being under 100ml or 3.4Oz.
Is Hairspray Considered a Liquid When Flying?
Yes, hairspray is considered a liquid when flying, and is subject to the same rules as any other liquid.
To take hairspray in hand luggage, it must be below 100ml, so bigger hairsprays will need to go in checked luggage.
Best Hairspray for Travel
There are some great recommendations of the ‘Best Hairsprays for Travel’ over at Stylecraze, but of all the ones on the list, this looks like it ticks all the boxes. It’s both small and non-aerosol, meaning it’s less likely to have the nozzle react to pressure changes.
- INSTANT FRIZZ PROTECTION: In just one spray, TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray protects against humidity and frizz. This hairspray instantly locks out frizz to provide all-day frizz control
- EXTRA HOLD HAIRSPRAY: TRESemmé Extra Hold Hairspray provides a salon-style finish and 24-hour hold for your hairstyle without crunch or stiffness
What to Read Next?
I hope you’ve got use out of this article and the research I’ve done.
Similar rules also apply to taking cologne or perfume on a plane, especially if the bottle’s shaped like a hand grenade!
You might also be wondering if you can still take your razor on a plane. We cover all types in this post.
AUTHOR – BEN REEVE
Reeves Roam, is a first-hand travel blog. The Reeves have lived in the UK, South Africa and Australia and have travelled extensively in Europe and Southeast Asia.
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Thanks – Ben, Becca and Gracie