Wearing makeup is a touchy subject for passport photos. The general rule of thumb is no, and you should not wear makeup in your passport photo. However, there are some gray areas where the answer isn’t so clear. So if you’re planning on traveling soon, make sure you know the rules for passport photos—including can you wear makeup for passport photo.
The Rules for Passport Photos
So, let’s start with the basics: what are the rules for passport photos? When taking a passport photo, you need to make sure that your appearance meets certain criteria. For example, your hair cannot cover your eyes, your ears, or any part of your face. You also cannot have anything obscuring your face, including glasses, headphones, or hats. In terms of facial expressions, you need to have a neutral expression—no smile allowed. And finally, when it comes to clothing, you need to have a shirt with a collar that covers your shoulders.
Now that we’ve gone over the general rules let’s talk about one specific rule: no sunglasses or tinted glasses allowed. This rule is in place because border officials need to be able to see your eyes—and sunglasses get in the way of that. Wearing contacts is fine, as long as they don’t obscure your eyes in any way and they don’t reflect light. If you normally wear corrective lenses but can take them out for photos, that’s even better. And if you can’t take them out—for example, if you have permanent retainer lenses—you can still wear them in your passport photo as long as they don’t obscure your eyes.
So Can I Wear Makeup or Not?
Now that we’ve gone over the general rules for passport photos let’s talk specifically about makeup. The short answer is no—you should not wear makeup in your passport photo. However, there are some gray areas where the answer isn’t so clear-cut. For example, what if you normally wear corrective lenses but can take them out for photos? In that case, you can wear makeup as long as it doesn’t obscure your eyes in any way and it doesn’t reflect light.
How to ensure you look good in your passport photo?
When you travel, one of the most important things to have is a passport. This document allows you to cross borders and gain entry into new countries. However, in order to get a passport, you first need to have a passport photo.
This can be a daunting task, as there are strict regulations about what is and is not allowed in a passport photo. Here are some tips to help you make sure you look your best in your passport photo.
First, choose a neutral background and make sure there is plenty of contrast between your skin and the background.
Second, wear simple clothing that does not have patterns or logos. Third, make sure your hair is styled neatly and that your face is free of any obstructions like glasses or hats.
Finally, smile naturally – a genuine smile is always the best way to go!
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to wear makeup in your passport photo is up to you. However, if you want to be on the safe side, we recommend not wearing makeup. If you do choose to wear makeup, make sure it’s subtle and that it doesn’t obscure your eyes. And finally, remember to follow all of the general passport photo rules—including no sunglasses or tinted glasses.