It's hard enough to look good after a long flight without having to worry about what the Transportation Security Administration thinks of your hair products, but alas, TSA regulations are nearly impossible to avoid. When you're packing up that beauty bag, make sure it's TSA-friendly to keep your travels as simple as they can be – starting with that hair dryer.

TSA Regulations on Hair Dryers

Here's the good news: The TSA permits travel with hair dryers in both checked luggage and carry-on bags, so feel free to take it on vacation with you. Keep in mind, however, that hair dryers can be clunky and awkwardly shaped, so they usually fit better in larger, checked suitcases. If you must stash one in your carry-on, consider investing in a mini hair dryer.

Regulations on Other Hair Products

Once you have your hair dryer situated, make sure to check on TSA rules regarding other beauty and hair products. Feel free to pack away the following items in either your carry-on or checked luggage, at any quantity:

  • Bobby pins
  • Electric razors
  • Hair clippers
  • Hair straightener (flat iron)
  • Laser hair remover

Liquid hair products, on the other hand, can fly in carry-on luggage only if they meet the TSA's liquids rule, which limits liquid products – as well as aerosols, gels, creams and pastes – in carry-ons to quantities of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less. These liquids must all be able to fit in one clear quart-sized bag. Make sure to follow this regulation if you're packing:

  • Hair gel
  • Hair texturizer
  • Hairspray
  • Shampoo

When you're going through security, separate your quart-sized bag of liquids from the rest of your luggage to help expedite the screening process. If you're unable to fit these liquids in 3.4-ounce containers, or you can't fit the containers in a single quart-sized bag, then pack them in your checked luggage instead. The TSA does not implement liquid limits on checked bags.

Other exceptions to the liquids rule includes duty-free liquids that were purchased internationally before traveling to the United States on a connecting flight. If you picked up some liquid hair products from an airport's duty-free section, you may pack them in your carry-on in quantities larger than 3.4 ounces if they meet the following standards:

  • You purchased the liquids internationally, and you're traveling to the United States with a connecting flight.
  • The retailer packed the liquids in a transparent, secure, tamper-evident bag.
  • The liquids don't show signs of tampering when presented to the TSA for screening.
  • You have the original receipt of purchase, and you bought the liquids within 48 hours of the TSA screening.