There’s Another Viral TikTok Travel Trend That’s a Really, Really Bad Idea
Quick reminder: passport photos should look like you.
TikTok is a great resource for travelers—you can find hidden spots, travel hacks, and useful tips. But maybe don’t trust everything you see there—like the viral pillow trick that can get you kicked off a flight. And now there’s another new trend that’s making the rounds on the app: getting glam-ready to get your passport photo taken. This one can seriously slow you down at the airport.
Trend Fail
TikTok user Amelia Marni posted a video that received 3.5 million views. It shows her ready with makeup and hair done. Only this is for a passport photo with her friend using a flashlight to make it a photoshoot. She wanted a “hot passport pic.”
TikTok users are recommending “passport makeup” for photos, and you’ll find video after video on how to accomplish this. There is one BIG problem with this glam shot though: you may end up being unrecognizable if you don’t have similar makeup every time you cross a checkpoint.
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The sentiment behind the glam is understandable—I.D. photos are almost never flattering and most often than not resemble a mug shot. These also stay with you for years, so it’s not exactly something you can get rid of. But photos are used for identification purposes—your photo needs to look like you even after a day of long, tiring travels. When your face is too visually stunning or enhanced, you run a risk of not getting identified at airports.
Ask another TikToker Beth Gould, who was “humbled in Taiwan” because her passport photograph didn’t look like her. In the video, which garnered 6.7 million views to date, the Australia-based creator said that she had to go to the desk to get herself verified after the machine couldn’t confirm it was her photo on the passport.
Something similar happened to Alisha Marie last year when she was almost not allowed to board. She said, “This is why you should never do hot photos for your passport because I don’t look like this.”
Photo Requirements
Take a hint from influencer Heartlyn Rae. She amused her followers by lamenting how she got her passport photo taken with greasy hair. Someone commented that at least it’ll look like her when she’s traveling.
The U.S. Department of State has very specific requirements for a passport photograph. It needs to be a recent photo taken in the past six months, no selfies allowed, and no modification using apps, filters, Photoshop, or AI. Your face needs to be clearly visible, so hats or glasses are also not allowed.
The agency explains that you don’t need to apply for a new passport if your appearance has changed slightly (like haircut or aging). But you should get a new one if you have had a major facial surgery or significant weight loss or gain.
