Can I wear make-up in my passport photo?

Yes. GOV.UK's rules don't ban make-up. The photo must be a true likeness of you and unedited, so avoid beauty filters and skin smoothing.

Can you wear eyeliner in a passport photo?

Yes. Keep your eyes fully open and visible; nothing in the rules forbids eyeliner or mascara.

Can I use a beauty filter on my passport photo?

No. HM Passport Office rejects filters that add effects or make you look younger or older, and any editing of your face such as removing blemishes. Brightness and contrast changes are accepted.

Can I wear lipstick in a passport photo?

Yes. Keep a plain expression with your mouth closed.

Can I have a bindi in my passport photo?

A single coloured dot, yes. A temporary jewel or sticker bindi for a celebration isn't accepted.

Can you wear make-up in a passport photo?

Yes. GOV.UK's photo rules don't mention make-up, so foundation, eyeliner, mascara and lipstick are allowed, as long as the photo is a true likeness of you (GOV.UK: Get a passport photo). What HM Passport Office does reject is editing: its examiner guidance says photos are rejected if the face has been digitally enhanced, for example by removing blemishes or changing the size of features, and filters that add effects or make you look younger or older (GOV.UK: HM Passport Office photo standards (examiner guidance, March 2026)).

GOV.UK's photo rules and HM Passport Office's photo standards checked on 3 November 2026. Fees and rules change, so check the linked GOV.UK page before you pay.

An AI-made example of a UK passport photo of a woman on a plain light background — An example made with AI, not a real person: natural look, plain expression, even light.

Make-up vs editing

	UK passport photo	Source
Everyday make-up, foundation, eyeliner, lipstick	Allowed: no rule against it	GOV.UK: Get a passport photo
Heavy contouring or make-up that changes your face shape	Avoid: the photo must be a true likeness	GOV.UK: HM Passport Office photo standards (examiner guidance, March 2026)
Phone beauty mode or skin smoothing	Rejected: it changes your face	GOV.UK: HM Passport Office photo standards (examiner guidance, March 2026)
Removing blemishes, changing the hairline or features in an app	Rejected	GOV.UK: HM Passport Office photo standards (examiner guidance, March 2026)
Filters that add textures or effects, or make you look younger or older	Rejected	GOV.UK: HM Passport Office photo standards (examiner guidance, March 2026)
Brightness or contrast adjustments	Accepted	GOV.UK: HM Passport Office photo standards (examiner guidance, March 2026)
Black and white	Rejected	GOV.UK: HM Passport Office photo standards (examiner guidance, March 2026)

Tips for make-up in a passport photo

Go matt. Shiny highlighter and glossy foundation reflect the light and can look like glare or hotspots on the forehead and nose.
Keep eyeliner clean and your eyes clearly open: both eyes must be open and visible.
Wear your usual look. The photo is used to recognise you at borders for 10 years.
Turn off beauty mode, portrait effects and filters on your phone before you take it.
Use even light from a window in front of you, so you don't need make-up to hide shadows.

Bindis and tattoos

HM Passport Office accepts a bindi that's a single coloured dot, and permanent tattoos. It doesn't accept a temporary celebratory bindi made with a jewel or sticker (GOV.UK: HM Passport Office photo standards (examiner guidance, March 2026)).

Where Picproved helps

Picproved doesn't smooth skin or change your face. It checks the background, head size, eyes, expression and light, and can make the background plain where a document allows that. HM Passport Office still makes the final decision.

Or make it at home. Picproved costs £5.99 (free while we launch) for one person's photo in every size you need, and it checks the size, background, head size and face rules before you save. The office still makes the final decision. Make your United Kingdom Passport (online) photo

Questions

Can I wear make-up in my passport photo?: Yes. GOV.UK's rules don't ban make-up. The photo must be a true likeness of you and unedited, so avoid beauty filters and skin smoothing.
Can you wear eyeliner in a passport photo?: Yes. Keep your eyes fully open and visible; nothing in the rules forbids eyeliner or mascara.
Can I use a beauty filter on my passport photo?: No. HM Passport Office rejects filters that add effects or make you look younger or older, and any editing of your face such as removing blemishes. Brightness and contrast changes are accepted.
Can I wear lipstick in a passport photo?: Yes. Keep a plain expression with your mouth closed.
Can I have a bindi in my passport photo?: A single coloured dot, yes. A temporary jewel or sticker bindi for a celebration isn't accepted.