Taking a passport photo is always a challenging and even daunting task. When it comes to personal appearance for your passport photo, it’s important to present yourself well, as the passport will travel with you for a decade or more, and to adhere to the official rules and specifications. A frequent question that pops up is whether we can wear lipstick, or more generally, put on makeup for our passport photos. Well, there are different guidelines to follow depending on your country and your destination. In this guide, we will delve into this and give recommendations on how to get a compliant passport photo!
Lipstick for Passport Photos
Wearing lipstick is allowed in most countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and India, but you should still follow some specific requirements:
United States
The State Department of the United States gives no explicit rule against wearing lipstick, but it is recommended that you opt for shades that you regularly wear. Subtle, neutral shades are preferable as they do not change your appearance significantly.
United Kingdom
The UK’s passport service advises that applicants should look natural. Similar to the US, natural and subdued shades of lipstick are recommended, and you’d better choose shades that you often wear.
Australia
You should be careful dealing with photos for Australian passports as there is a recent legislation change stating that people should have their natural appearance captured and not “enhanced” with too much makeup, otherwise, your application can be rejected. So, choose the light lipstick shades to maintain a natural look.
India
Lipstick is permitted for Indian passports, but like in other countries, it is advisable to keep a natural appearance with subtle, light-colored lipstick.
Can I Wear Makeup When Taking Passport Photos?
Getting your makeup right for passport photos may be tricky, but generally, you can follow the guidelines for lipsticks:
United States
It is okay to wear makeup when taking US passport photos, and the officials even expect applicants to do so. Nevertheless, as the focus is on authenticity in biometric photos, you should make yourself look as natural as possible. Avoid heavy cosmetics and excessive facial shine to ensure your facial features are clearly visible.
United Kingdom
You are allowed to wear makeup in the UK passport photos but pay attention that this may complicate things. Recently, a model, with makeup for her passport photo, was refused entry to Malaysia because officials failed to recognize her while she was traveling barefaced. So, glam up if you must, but make sure your photo still says “It’s me” when you’re on the go.
Australia
As mentioned, the Australian authorities changed the regulations concerning passport photos recently. You are now required to present your natural appearance and should not “enhance” it with any cosmetics.
India
The Indian government has not given specific requirements on makeup for passport photos. But even so, you’d better make it as simple and natural as possible. Soft pinks, nudes, or light browns are usually safe bets.
Other Tips for Taking Passport Photos
Apart from makeup, there are a lot of stuff you need to consider when taking a passport photo, including your facial expression, clothing and accessories, the lighting setup, the background, and body-camera distance. The requirements of different countries are largely the same.
Facial Expression
As required by all countries, you should keep a relaxed and neutral face in your passport photo without a smile or a frown. Your eyes should be focused right on the camera.
Clothing and Accessories
You are advised to pick outfits that are not too light-hued or black in order to avoid blending with the background. Religious head coverings are allowed, but they should NOT cover your facial features, and furthermore, should be plain without any patterns (even small ones). As for accessories, you should remove caps, bands, eyeglasses, and other items that may obscure your features or cast shadows on your face.
Lighting Setup
The quality of your passport photo relies highly on good lighting. Ensure there’s enough light, preferably natural light, in your environment. Avoid stark shadows and prevent over- or under-exposure so as to keep your facial features visible.
Background
Typically, you should set up a white or off-white background for your passport photo. Thus, opt for a plain wall or even a whiteboard to meet that requirement.
Body-camera distance
As a rule of thumb, you should position the camera 1.5 to 2 meters (roughly 5 to 6.5 feet) from you, by which you can capture your head and upper body while leaving room for cropping and framing. Make sure that you are seated or standing straight, squarely facing the camera.
DIY Passport Photos at Home
The traditional way of taking passport photos is to visit a professional studio, which involves long waits and sometimes a hefty fee. As the digital era comes upon us, online passport photo generators have brought revolutions—we are free to DIY passport photos at home! With a few clicks, we can get a passport photo that both presents our beauty and meets the official requirements.
There are numerous products in this area for you to choose from. Here, we will show you how to generate a perfect passport photo with AiPassportPhotos in 3 quick steps!
Step 1: Take a photo by yourself with a smartphone or a digital camera referring to the tips we mentioned above.
Step 2: Visit AiPassportPhotos’ website. Choose the type of photo you wish to generate, such as a US passport photo, in “Select Document Type”.
Step 3: Upload your photo by clicking on the “Upload a Photo” button, and you can preview your processed photo in no time. Pay credits to download a printable template and print it at home or at printing stores!
Final Thoughts
Taking a passport photo can be a complex process, fraught with rules and specifications that vary from country to country, and involving issues concerning lipstick shades and makeup, clothing and accessories, etc. But with modern photo generation tools available on the Internet, you can easily DIY your passport photo following the tips in this guide and embrace a smooth preparation for your travel!
Dolores Xiao