I don't know about you, but I NEED dry shampoo when I travel. I depend on it to clean, volumize, and freshen up my mane after flying so I can hit the ground running wherever I land.
However, airport rules and regulations make packing this staple beauty product seem risky (or at least that's what I used to think). You'll be shocked by how simple it is to fly with dry shampoo aerosol.
Here's my quick rundown of everything you need to know about bringing dry shampoo in your carry-on bag on the plane.
Dry Shampoo comes in both spray (aerosol toiletry) and powder forms, and I’m an expert on both. In terms of traveling, the powder form is completely unrestricted by airlines, but it doesn't offer the same “swooshing” effects that an aerosol does. If your hair needs a little more lift and volume after a long flight, the powder alone simply won't cut it. However, both forms do a solid job at eliminating excess oil and making you look like you haven’t been on a plane for five hours.
If you're anything like me, travel-sized liquids gels and aerosols are slightly triggering when it comes to passing through TSA (Transportation Security Administration) and respecting TSA rules in airports. Is Dry Shampoo Spray a prohibited item? A product that’s up to 3.4 ounces in size is totally acceptable in a carry-on bag, so there's no need to act sketchy as they rifle through your belongings. Keep in mind that all of your small containers must fit in a one-quart Ziploc bag, with only one bag per carry-on. If you can't get by without your full-size dry shampoo, no worries - just toss it in your checked luggage, and call it a day.
Before you go freshening up mid-flight, consider the passengers around you. No one wants to get blasted in the face by a dry shampoo stream from the next row over (I mean, unless maybe their hair needs it, too...). Now, if you choose to take your dry shampooing to the lavatory, bear in mind that airplane smoke detectors don't always agree with aerosols. Rumor has it, famous country singer LeAnn Rimes actually set off an airplane bathroom smoke alarm using dry shampoo! Learn from LeAnn - unless it's an absolute hair catastrophe, you’re better off saving yourself the potential humiliation and waiting until you've landed.
Check out now our ultimate travel packing tips.