This 1 TikTok Travel Trend Is Definitely A Bad Idea
TikTok is full of creative travel hacks. Some of them are genuinely helpful, but others? Not so much. One of the latest trends making waves on the app is all about getting glam for your passport photo. It might sound fun, but this one could seriously mess up your travel plans.
The TikTok Travel Trend
It all started when TikTok user Amelia Marni shared a video that racked up 3.5 million views. She got her hair and makeup done like she was heading to a photoshoot. With a friend using a flashlight for perfect lighting, Amelia aimed for a “hot passport pic.” Now, that might sound tempting—who doesn’t want to look their best? But here’s the thing: passport photos aren’t meant to be glam shots. They’re for identification, and they need to look like you.
The TikTok Travel Trend Problem
The idea behind looking great in your passport photo is totally understandable. Most of us cringe at our I.D. photos. They tend to stick around for years, serving as a constant reminder that maybe we shouldn’t have skipped that extra cup of coffee that morning. But a passport photo isn’t just a picture—it’s a crucial tool for border agents. If you show up at a checkpoint looking like a different person, thanks to all that contouring and highlighter, you might find yourself in a sticky situation.
Just ask Beth Gould, a TikToker who was “humbled in Taiwan” because her passport photo didn’t match her real-life appearance. The machine couldn’t recognize her, so she had to go through a lengthy verification process. The same thing happened to Alisha Marie, who almost missed a flight because her “hot” passport photo looked nothing like her.
The TikTok Travel Trend Takeaway
While it’s tempting to go all out for a passport photo, it’s really not worth the hassle. Influencer Heartlyn Rae learned this the hard way when she took her passport photo with greasy hair. But you know what? At least she’ll look like herself when she’s traveling. So, the next time you’re getting your passport photo taken, rememer: the goal isn’t to look amazing—it’s to look like you.