How to Do TSA-Approved Passport Photo Makeup

Looking for the best makeup for your passport photo? TSA-approved passport photo makeup should enhance your natural features without making you look unrecognizable. While viral TikTok trends show heavy contouring and glam looks for passport photos, customs guidelines require a natural appearance. 

In this guide, we’ll cover how to apply TSA-compliant makeup, explain passport photo regulations, and show you how to take your own passport photo using the YouCam Makeup app.

Can You Wear Makeup in a Passport Photo?

Yes, you can wear makeup in a passport photo but it has to follow a few important guidelines.

Passport Photo Makeup Rules

• Keep it natural: Your makeup shouldn’t change or distort your facial features.
• Avoid heavy contouring: Contour or highlight that drastically reshapes your nose, cheekbones, or jawline can get your photo rejected.
• No dramatic lashes or winged liner: Avoid fake lashes and bold eyeliner that obscure your eye shape.
• Lipstick is fine, but keep it subtle: Go for neutral or natural tones that won’t throw off facial recognition.
• Skip the filters: Any retouching, airbrushing, or altering of facial features is a no-go.

In short, the goal is to look like yourself on your best day, not like a filtered version of you.

Why TikTok Passport Makeup Trend Isn’t TSA-Friendly

TikTok has been buzzing with tutorials showing how to beat your face for the ultimate passport glow-up—but here’s the catch: many of those looks are too glam to pass official standards. 

(Source: TikTok)

• These viral makeup looks often include:
• Intense contouring
• Heavy lashes and bold brows
• Oversaturated lip liners
• Skin-smoothing filters

While they might get you likes on TikTok, they could also get your passport application denied. Customs agencies like the U.S. Department of State require photos that reflect your real appearance for identity verification and facial recognition software.

Best Makeup for Passport Photos: Natural but Defined

Here’s a quick passport makeup guide to help you look polished, professional, and TSA-approved:

Complexion

• Stick with lightweight foundation or BB cream
• Use minimal powder to avoid flashback
• A bit of concealer under the eyes is fine

Eyes

• Use neutral eyeshadow (think soft brown or taupe)
• Tightline with brown or black liner if needed, but skip the cat eye
• Light mascara is fine—no falsies!

Brows

• Lightly fill them in to frame the face
• Avoid dramatic reshaping or going too dark

Lips

• Use lip balm or a nude lipstick close to your natural tone
• Skip anything too glossy or overly bold

How to Try Passport Photo Makeup with YouCam Makeup

Taking your own passport photo? Use YouCam Makeup to apply your makeup virtually and avoid going overboard with the aesthetics.

• Step 1: Download the YouCam Makeup app free on iOS and Android.
• Step 2: Open the app and tap “Photo Edit.”
• Step 3: Upload your passport photo or take a new one in the app.
• Step 4: Tap the “Makeup” category and choose which makeup filters you want to apply.
• Step 5: Adjust the intensity of each makeup element (foundation, blush, brows, lips) to keep your look subtle and passport-compliant.
• Step 6: Save your edited photo or use it as a reference for doing your makeup in real life.

Try With Your Photo

Why YouCam Makeup is the Best Editor for Passport Photo Makeup

• Real-time virtual try-on for natural makeup looks
• No filters or distortion, just realistic enhancements
• Adjust foundation, brows, lips, and eyeshadow to see what’s TSA-safe
• Works on both iPhone and Android and you can take your photo directly in the app

You can even simulate soft glam vs. no-makeup makeup and save the best version for your photo session.

How to Take Your Own Passport Photo at Home

If you're planning to DIY your passport photo at home, YouCam Makeup can help you get it right:

Tips to DIY Your Passport Photo

1. Use natural daylight: Position yourself in front of a window for even lighting.
2. Plain background only: White or off-white walls work best.
3. Center your face: Your head should be straight and facing forward.
4. Remove accessories: No hats, glasses, or jewelry.
5. Use YouCam Makeup: Capture your look while testing makeup in real time or you can edit your photos by adding a white background and enhance photo quality.

Once you're done, save the image and crop it to the correct 2x2 inch format using any online image cropper.

Get Picture-Perfect Passport Makeup with YouCam Makeup

Passport photos don’t have to be dreadful, and you don’t need to go bare-faced either. With the right makeup for passport photos, you can look polished and confident while still meeting TSA and government guidelines. Just remember: less is more, and real is required.

Before or after you snap your next photo, download YouCam Makeup to experiment with makeup that enhances your features without overdoing it.

About the Editors

The PERFECT Corp. Editorial Team

We are a team of experts on photo and video editing apps. Our goal is to deliver engaging content on everything from stunning selfie edits to eye-catching video effects. We cover the latest trends and share niche tips to help you master digital creation.

Passport Makeup FAQs