What fits in a carry-on
TSA limits carry-on liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes to travel-sized containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item, packed in a quart-sized bag. Anything in a larger container goes in your checked bag.
Shampoo, conditioner, masks, leave-ins, gels and curl creams all count. A 3 fl oz mini fits as it is; a full-size bottle has to go in the checked bag or be poured into smaller bottles.
The minis the makers sell
PATTERN sells 3 fl oz sizes of its Hydration Shampoo, Cleansing Shampoo, Medium and Intensive Conditioners, Leave-In Conditioner and Curl Gel, so a whole wash day fits in the bag. OLAPLEX sells 100 mL travel sizes of its Nº.4 shampoo and Nº.5 conditioner. Curlsmith sells 3 oz minis of its Essential Moisture shampoo and conditioner and 2 oz minis of its deep conditioner, air-dry cream and style fixer.
Jessicurl and Innersense sell 2 oz sizes across their lines, Bounce Curl 1.5 to 2 fl oz, Briogeo travel and trial sizes of its mask and leave-in spray, DevaCurl 3 oz, Mielle 3.2 oz of its Rosemary Mint shampoo and leave-in, and Malibu C a 0.5 fl oz packet and a 3.4 fl oz bottle of its clarifying shampoo. Bouclème lists 100 mL sizes of its Curl Cleanser, Curl Conditioner, Intensive Moisture Treatment, Curl Cream, Curl Defining Gel and Super Hold Styler and a 60 mL Super Volumising Foam, and Cécred 2.5 fl oz travel sizes of its Hydrating Conditioner, Moisturizing Deep Conditioner, Clarifying Shampoo & Scalp Scrub and Moisture Sealing Lotion. The table shows every size each maker lists.
When the label says “oz”
Some makers print “oz” without saying whether it means fluid ounces or weight. TSA’s limit is about the size of the container, so with a jar or tube labeled only in ounces, check what the container itself says before you pack it.
Products we list in milliliters, fluid ounces at or under 3.4, or a packet are inside the limit as the maker labels them.
Minis or your own travel bottles
The table shows each size’s price on the maker’s store and the price per ounce, so you can see what a mini costs next to the full size. If you already own the full size, pouring it into your own bottles of 3.4 ounces or less does the same job.
Take the steps you actually use. If you co-wash, a mini of your co-wash and your styler may be all you need for a short trip.
What this list does not claim
We haven’t used or tested these products. Sizes, directions and prices come from each maker’s own page, and the carry-on limit from TSA.
Questions before your next wash
How big can travel shampoo be in a carry-on?
TSA allows containers of 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item, in a quart-sized bag. Larger containers go in checked baggage.
Does a half-empty full-size bottle count?
TSA’s limit is about the container’s size, so pour what you need into a bottle of 3.4 ounces or less rather than packing a large, partly used one.
Updated · The sources for this guide are on our Sources page. Report a changed detail.