HOUSTON — If you need a new passport, there’s a social media trend you need to avoid. It's called “passport makeup” and it's putting travelers in quite a bind at the airport.
The trend started with makeup artists and other social media users going above and beyond their normal makeup looks to beat the harsh lighting of government photos.
That means full glam looks for a picture taken at Staples or CVS. However, here's the warning that hundreds of people are echoing online.
“They almost didn't let me on my flight because they said I don't look like my passport. This is why you should never do hot photos for your passport... because I don't look like this,” one traveler said in a video posted to TikTok.
According to federal regulations, passport photos must be an accurate likeness of the traveler. So even though makeup has the power to transform you, it also has the power to make you miss your flight.
What not to wear for a passport photo
According to the U.S. Department of State, you will want to follow these guidelines when getting a passport photo taken.
- Take off any eyeglasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses. If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with the application.
- You cannot wear a uniform, clothing that looks like a uniform, or camouflage clothing.
- Take off your hat or head covering. If you wear one for religious purposes, submit a signed statement that says it is religious attire worn daily in public. If you wear one for medical purposes, submit a signed doctor's statement that says you wear it for medical purposes. Your full face must be visible and your hat or head covering cannot cast shadows or cover part of your face.
- You cannot wear headphones or wireless hands-free devices.
- You can wear jewelry and keep on your facial piercings as long as they do not hide your face.
- Take off any face covering or medical mask so your full face is visible and the face covering or mask do not block portions of your face.