Worried about how to style your hair for an ID photo?
Especially the dilemma: "Should I show my ears? Or subtly cover them with hair?" This is a very common concern.
As someone who has worked in hair and makeup for 7 years and run a photo studio for 10, having seen thousands of ID photos, let me clarify this for you!
To get straight to the point — tucking your hair behind your ears is advantageous in almost all cases.
(Please note: This advice is generally applicable, but if you are particularly concerned about your face shape or wish to avoid emphasizing certain features, you may consider alternatives.)
Why is it good to show your ears in an ID photo?
The most important thing is to convey a
"trustworthy and neat impression".
Exposing your ears clearly defines your facial contours, making your face appear sharper and tidier.
Conversely, if your hair covers the sides of your face, it can create shadows, making your face look constricted or giving a dull impression.
In fact, in the Japanese job market, there's even a term,
"mimidashi" (耳出し), which means 'showing ears',
indicating that hairstyles showing the ears have become a basic etiquette for job application photos. The same applies to Korea.
For civil servant photos, resume photos, and passport photos — showing your ears is the standard.
Hair Tucked Behind Ears: Before vs. After Before — Hair Down
- Shadows cast on the sides of the face
- Facial shape is obscured, creating a stuffy impression
- Disheveled hair gives the impression of an "unorganized person"
- May not meet photo regulations (e.g., for passports)
##### After — Neatly Tucked Behind Ears
- Facial contours are revealed, creating a neat and bright impression
- Clear jawline gives a sophisticated look
- Forehead + Ears + Jawline visible together boosts trustworthiness
- Meets all ID photo regulations
3 Essential Tips for Tucking Hair Behind Your Ears
- Tuck completely, but naturally from above the ear. Pulling it back too tightly can look unnatural.
- The key is to let it rest naturally over the upper part of your ear. Pulling it too taut can make your face appear wider.
- Taming flyaways is a must. If stray hairs escape after tucking your hair behind your ears,
- it can look messy. Before shooting, tidy up flyaways with hairspray or wax. This one step alone can significantly improve the overall finish.
- If you're concerned about your face shape (Alternative): If you usually think your face is large, or if you have a prominent jawline, rather than pulling all your hair back cleanly and losing confidence, we recommend covering about half of your ears. However, it's important to keep flyaways tidy while subtly covering your ears, so you don't lose confidence in interview or job application photos.
We particularly recommend tucking hair behind ears for these individuals:
- Job seekers: To give interviewers a neat and diligent first impression
- For civil service/government submissions: A clean photo that meets regulations
- Passport/visa photos: May be rejected if ears are covered
- Profile photos: For creating a professional image on social media, LinkedIn, etc.
