Oh, you thought it was just the US? Bless your heart. Europe’s rules are almost identical, but budget airlines like Ryanair have been known to make passengers dump “any item with a lid.” I’ve seen a Slovenian security guard literally sniff a lip stain to determine its viscosity. It’s chaos.
In Asia, airports like Singapore and Tokyo are notoriously strict with the 3-1-1 bag. They’ll measure your lip gloss tube with calipers if they’re bored. Meanwhile, Australian airports seem to care more about your sunscreen than your lip products. (Go figure—excess sun vs. dry lips?)
My advice? Assume the worst. Pack your lipsticks in a clear bag, put it in an easy-to-access pocket, and prepare to argue only if you’re really attached. Otherwise, just smile and say “It’s a solid wax” with the confidence of a fraudster.
But wait—what about tinted balms and glosses?
Ah, the middle children of makeup. Tinted lip balms (like Vaseline with a hint of color) are almost always considered liquids. Why? Because they’re basically petroleum jelly, and that counts as a gel. Same goes for those big potted lip products you scoop with your finger.
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Glosses are a lost cause. They’re liquids, no matter how thick or glittery. If it comes in a tube with a wand, it’s liquid. No exceptions. I once handed over a Lancôme Gloss in a SpongeBob-shaped bottle, and the agent didn’t even smile.
And clear lip liners? Those are solids—don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. But be ready to explain what “clear lip liner” does to a bored guard. (Spoiler: they won’t believe you, but at least you’ll amuse yourself.)
