Dan's Papers - Issue #4 - April 20, 2007

I'm a girlie-girl and the first to hold up my hand and admit it. I've always got a lip gloss in my bag or in my husband's pocket if I'm not toting. My Clarins clear liquid lip gloss is my number one pick.

But take a peek inside whichever bag I happen to be carrying, and one might also find a lip pencil, mascara, powder, blush and eyeliner. Oh, and I can't forget concealer for any unexpected pimples, blemishes or dark circles. I mean, isn't that a must?

Now put me on a plane, but bear in mind that I'm very organized and usually anticipate most circumstances, including lost luggage and flight detours. You can only imagine how utterly distraught I was, as a self-confessed beauty addict, when all of the rules about what one could carry on to a plane went out the window, or should I say into the cargo hold. What about my favorite shampoo that makes my hair shine like silk and fall just the way I like it? My lip gloss, surely they can't take my lip gloss. I would try to argue with airport security, with a tear in my eye, as said item was thrown, unceremoniously, into a large black bottomless bin.

Thank goodness the beauty gods have now finally spoken and things have eased up a bit. We are now permitted to bring some items onto a plane, but nobody ever seems quite sure about what those items are and what the procedure for "carrying" is. After taking a flight and wondering what I can and can't take, I thought I'd do a bit of research and pass the info along.

So here it goes. According to TSA (Transport Security Administration), travelers can now carry most makeup supplies and toiletry items onto a plan, as long as they are travel size. But this means that they must be in a container that is 3-ounces or less, and must fit easily into a one quart-sized clear plastic zip-lock bag.

Because of this new situation, harmony has now been restored. Women and girls from all over the world are once again primped and ready to meet boys, in-laws, pen pals and the like. They no longer walk through the terminal looking and feeling like they just woke up.

There are many products that are perfectly fine to bring on a plane, and many cosmetics companies have even taken flight with this notion, and now make airport approved versions of their products. At www.sephora.com, there is an entire section for us "beautyistas" with a comprehensive list of makeup and skin care products that are "airport approved".

Here are some of my favorite "airport approved" picks from their list and more. Cargo, Color Cards $24, the name is an oxymoron, because these flat packed color cards, 28 in all, come in a range of colors that appeal to all tastes. Benefit, Benetint Pocket Pals $18, are the most fabulous little pots of color that do double duty, both for cheeks and lips. Plus, the other end of the container is a clear lip gloss. Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation To-Go $16, is a great travel size product that will ensure you arrive at your destination looking flawless! Lola Cosmetics, Loves Lashes $25, this cake mascara is ideal for travel. Just wet the brush, rub into the mascara and apply to lashes. Caudalie Vingo Weekend Kit $50, is a complete beauty regimen for a weekend getaway and one of my favorite skin care lines. It includes beauty cleanser, beauty elixir, eye and lip creams, energizing moisture cream, shower gel and nourishing body lotions. All are less than 3 ounces.

Many perfumeries such as Stella McCartney, BVLGARI and Marc Jacobs are now producing travel perfumes. Also, many hair products are also being transformed with plane travel in mind. Frederick Fekkai had everything from gloss, hairspray, shampoo and conditioner. Also, check out the Oscar Blandi range of travel hair care.

Seems like all the rain dances I performed for the beauty gods have paid off. Not only are we now permitted to carry beauty products when venturing onto a plane, but they've also supplied us with many great products to take with us. Good things do come in small packages, and a clear plastic zip-lock bag. Even my favorite Clarins lip gloss cuts the mustard!