Can you wear make up for a passport photo?

If you are still uncertain about whether you are allowed to wear make-up before taking a passport photo, we are here to give you the concrete answer: Yes, you can wear make-up in a passport photo if you wish to, and it’s not against the official requirements of a passport photo. There are no particular passport photo make-up rules given by the government or official authorities to follow. However, “unwritten” make-up requirements for passport photos do exist, and if you break these rules, your passport photo might risk being refused.

Your passport photo must reflect your natural skin color, so don’t self-tan your skin the day before you take your passport picture, because you probably won’t be as tan when you need to show your passport to officers in certain situations. Moreover, don’t apply foundation that is too dark or too light with respect to your real skin color when you do your passport photo makeup.

Avoid base products with high SPF
Contouring
Matt eyeshadow and eyeliner
Take a valid passport photo with your phone at home

Avoid base products with high SPF

Actually, white cast on your face in a photo is way easier to happen than you think. And it’s one of the most common mistakes in makeup. White cast is caused by makeup products that contain SPF, such as sunscreen, primer, foundation, and facial powder. If you don’t want to end up with flashbacks on your face in your passport photo, use base products that have SPF under 15 or even without SFP.

Contouring

Contouring won’t appear clearly in a photo unless you contour your face with a very dark shade with respect to your skin color. We suggest you contour your nose and the outer side of your face with a light brown contouring powder to balance out your face shape. You can use a big, fluffy brush to blend out the contouring powder to create a more natural look.

Matt eyeshadow and eyeliner

You should always go for matte eye shadow to give your eyes a more defined look when doing makeup for a passport photo shoot. We advise you to play with only nude color tones such as brown, beige, light brown, semi-dark brow, or the like for eye makeup. Glitter eye shadow shouldn’t be used here. Another tip is to apply a bit of color to the outer V of your eyes, it will make your eyes look bigger. When it comes to eyeliner, it’s better to draw a thin eyeliner close to your upper lash line and a small wing at the end. Don’t draw cat eyeliner or exaggerate the wing!

Take a valid passport photo with your phone at home!

By using Smartphone iD app, you get a digital, verified, and conform photo. You can also order a printed version that will be delivered to your doorstep. The app has double conformity control by humans and software. In simple four clicks, you get a format that can be used for any official document. No need to study all the ICAO and State government rules by yourself and wonder if you have submitted an acceptable photo.

Use our online passport photo tool, Smartphone iD from the Apple or Google Play Store, or conveniently use our web app by clicking the "Take a Photo" button.

Try it out for free now.

Sources

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html

https://tsg.phototool.state.gov/photo