When Passport Makeup Goes Wrong: TikTokers Share Their Stories

The use of Passport Makeup, though has become popular, especially among the youths who use TikTokers regularly, its negative impact seems to be giving TikTokers some issues especially when presenting their identities at public places like airports.

The trending Passport Makeup activity has brought positivity to beauty standards, enhancing inclusivity and diversity and helping more individuals embrace their individuality by being creative with their beauty routine. The following are some of the stories shared by TikTokers on how “Passport Makeup” had affected them in certain ways.

TikTokers and YouTube influencers were some of those who had negative experiences as a result of her Passport Makeup. Alisha Marie was nearly denied boarding the flight for not looking exactly like her passport photo. In a video posted on her TikTok and Instagram, she was crying and pleading for TikTokers not to do hot photos for their passport to avoid getting into embarrassing situations.

In Marie’s passport, she spotted long hair with bangs and makeup but this is a sharp contrast to her appearance in person where she sports shorter hair with a baseball cap. Several other TikTokers had jumped on her page to narrate similar experiences in different situations.

@Emmerzb, another TikToker who narrated her experience on Alisha Marie’s TikTok page, reported that she sported a ponytail while creating her Passport Makeup because she enjoys wearing a sweatshirt to the airport. She was also scrutinized for hours for looking almost different from the photo in her passport.

Other commenters on Marie’s page were surprised that her photo was even allowed on the passport in the first place as her bangs were long and covered her eyebrows. They thought that passport photos often come with strict requirements including the rule that states “Your hair should not cover your face”.

The United States of America and many other countries are often not restrictive and will allow passport holders to submit their photos, aside from holding a passport. The photo to be submitted must not be a selfie, and eyeglasses must be removed when taking them. The requirements also include a full face in view, no jewelry obscuring the face, and an accurate representation of skin tone.

This is the reason why it is important to understand the thin line between beauty and recognition. Since no social media filters are allowed on passport images, and passport holders must use neutral facial expressions with mouths closed and both eyes opened, there must be a limit to the use of Passport Makeup.

When using the “Passport Makeup” on TikTok, users must avoid the use of glasses, head coverings, and jewelry. It makes even more sense to use Passport Makeup features that will emphasize one’s natural skin tones to avoid creating doubt at places like the airport. Airport officials will likely not create complications when your skin tone appears lighter or darker on your passport as long as they are minimal and wouldn’t alter your facial identity in any form.