What Exactly Is the Passport Makeup Trend? A Full Breakdown

Bad lighting. Awkward facial expressions. Weird camera angles. We're all too familiar with these things when it comes to taking our passport photos. And unfortunately, what usually results is an unflattering pic that we're stuck with for the next decade. But what if we told you that there's a way to turn these dull pics into glamour shots?

Allow us to introduce the "passport makeup trend" that's all the rage on TikTok lately. (And no, it doesn't require a full face beat.) The new trend went viral after TikTok creator Georgia Barret shared a soft glam look for her own passport photo. And according to makeup artist Kasey Spickard, achieving this look is all about "defining and intensifying your natural features through contouring and brightening."

But how exactly do we go about applying this version of soft glam? Keep reading for a few simple steps on how to make that passport photo pop, curtesy of Spickard and Too Faced makeup artist Elyse Reneau, per Real Simple.

1. Contour, Contour, Contour

With passport photos, you don't really have the option to shoot from your best angle. So, Reneau suggests creating your own angles with contour.

Start by using a bronzer that's three shades deeper than your skin tone, which will allow you to sculpt your cheekbones, nose, chin and the crease of your eyes. (Spickard's recommendation? The Danessa Myricks Cream Bronzer, now available at Sephora for $26).

Next, to make those features really stand out, you can apply a powder bronzer from the same shade family on top. (You can get the ILIA NightLite Bronzer Powder from Sephora for just $34.)

2. Make Your Eyes Pop

Here's your opportunity to try another TikTok trend that'll accentuate your eye shape. You may have heard of siren eyes, one of the boldest eye looks to blow up on the social platform. And it's pretty simple to achieve.

NYC celebrity makeup artist Judi Gabbay told PureWow, “Siren eyes are a fusion between a fox eye and a cat eye. People have been loving this trend of liner for its elongated and sexy effect.”

LA-based makeup artist Amber Dreadon added, “It can be really flattering on everyone and make small or very round eyes look dramatically lengthened.”

All you'll need is a cream and powder bronzer nude eyeshadow to brighten the lid (you can snag this Eyeshadow Palette from the Sephora Collection for just $7), and eyeliner to elongate the outer corners of your eyes (get MILK Makeup's Infinity Long Lasting Eyeliner Pencil for $22).