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Social media platforms are removing billions of fake accounts but even the real ones aren't authentic. Our endless pursuit of physical perfection has made our internet profiles shinier and smoother than our real-life selves have ever been. This obsession has reached a point where it has become the norm and you can't always tell how many filters the people you are seeing in your feed are hiding under.

As Rebecca Jennings pointed out in Vox, things get even more complicated when the bogeyman is not an anonymous evil fashion editor at a glossy magazine but average folks plumping their lips and touching up tiny flaws. Easy-to-use apps allow virtually anyone to participate in that same manipulation, giving the power to create the perfect digital version of yourself.

To highlight that you always need to retain a certain level of skepticism online, TikToker RIKKI has been producing videos that she calls the same as Bored Panda's article series, Insta vs. Reality. In these clips, RIKKI shows her own photos before and after editing them. Her honest uploads are generating millions of views and the buzz around them has gotten so loud that other people are joining in, creating sort of a new internet trend.

TikToker RIKKI shared photos of herself before and after editing them to remind people that social media is fake, and other users are following her example

@rikkisandhuu
Ahh they gradually get worse & worse! 🤪✨ #bodypositivity #filtervsreality #makeuptips #foryou
♬ soft spot - piri & Tommy Villiers
#1

Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

josephinelivinn Report

Xan A. Du
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We still seem to overlook the fact that even in the non-filtered image, she has a full face of makeup and what seems to be fillers in her lips. How about a true "reality"?

Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She got the makeup and fillers in the plane of existence that we all live on, also known as reality.

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RANDALL COLLINS
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How sad that we even have a post like this about women. Sad that the state of happiness comes from lying about what you look like!

Anton Collden
Community Member
1 year ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makeup would have the same effect, right?

Spinstapink
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

doesn't even look like the same person.

Verena Abt
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you ask a professional makeup artist or something, the result's just the same. She looks sweet either way. 🤷

BwookieCookie
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why tho?!? She ls so beautiful in the original anyway

Ceridwen Maree
Community Member
3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's prettier and more natural in real picture!!

Plutarch Heavensbee
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Sherri Cohen
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Social media is SO FAKE that I don't even trust if the "real" pic IS actually real :/

Miss Cris
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I see her prettier in the 2nd one, but it's only a personal opinion.

Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Botox isn’t lip filler. Botox just relaxes your muscle. Filler adds volume.

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A lonely Concorde
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate how social media does this we don’t need any of the editing it’s just so useless when you can use your natural beauty

Mari Bryant
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So she isn't even wearing eye makeup?

Mewton’s Third Paw
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I honestly have no idea. I think they’re claiming the makeup is part of the filter. That’s crazy if true!

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bookshellf
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

she is very beautiful naturally

Elsie
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How did she add makeup it's so perfect

Katy McMouse
Community Member
Premium
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is that white line above her upper lip? Seriously, I can't stop looking at it, trying to figure out what it is.

Plutarch Heavensbee
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Social media isnt fake. Women are fake. No man pressured you to look like the woman on the left.

Holly Stevens
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Don't even have to do makeup anymore, save so much time

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In the before-mentioned Vox piece, Rebecca Jennings also highlighted that "while many major celebrities have been 'caught' editing their Instagram photos, from Beyoncé to Lady Gaga to Victoria’s Secret models, others on the receiving end of a different kind of ridicule are figures who we’d probably like to think of as above such activities: people like Callista Gingrich, US ambassador to the Holy See, who has a habit of posting photos of herself and her husband Newt with faces as smooth as Renaissance-painting babies."

But the most fascinating examples, according to Jennings, are the stars of the messiest, most theatrical television shows in the world like Vanderpump Rules and The Bachelor.

"It isn't their [popularity] that makes their excessive Facetune habits surprising — reality stars are among the most traditionally shameless when it comes to activities like posting sponsored content for teeth whitening products and arguing with each other in the comments section."

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    #2

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    josephinelivinn Report

    bookshellf
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    confidence and happiness :) you can feel that fully from the right picture more.

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    #3

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Jenn Jackson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The amount of people not understanding the point is incredibly frustrating.

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    #4

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    breelenehan Report

    J Rob
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's not really an edited photo. Two different photos and she is posing differently.

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    No, it's the fact that these are the same people willing to reveal the worst moments of their lives on national television, many of whom have been naked, drunk, and/or arrested in full view of cameras. "Unlike influencers who built their followings online with heavily curated images, reality stars have no control over how they’re portrayed on TV," Jennings explained. "They sign away all of those rights before filming, and have no idea whether they’ll get the 'villain edit' or the “goofy edit,' reality-fan slang for the producers’ influence on the stars’ reputations."

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    "Yet a scroll through many reality stars’ Instagram pages will reveal many perfectly posed and heavily Facetuned images, as if the melodrama of their televised lives were but a distant memory. Reality stars are, whether they know it or not, the prime examples of what's becoming an increasingly prominent conversation among those with a social media account, which is to say, most people: the chasm between one's online persona and their actual life."

    #5

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Sowieso
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I really don't get it... Why would you 'expose' social media for the fake that it is, but keep participating in it? I mean, you do expose yourself as fake as well. And you keep re-enforcing impossible beauty stardards. While a lot of these people are actually pretty good looking without all of this nonsense?

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    #6

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Vonny
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    After scrolling thru a few of these, it hit me, 99% of the brunettes photo shopped pics look like they've turned into members of the Kardashian clan

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    #7

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    josephinelivinn Report

    ggus44
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This one just made a whole new face for herself.

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    You might ask why do we care. And that's a legit question. But these things can take a toll on you even if you're just an outsider, observing the whole charade.

    In 2019, Marika Tiggemann and Isabella Anderberg released a study called "Social media is not real: The effect of 'Instagram vs reality' images on women’s social comparison and body image." The research revealed that such images have the power to limit the impact social media posts have on our mental health.

    As part of the study, a group of women were randomly assigned to view one of three sets of images: "Instagram vs reality" images, the 'ideal' side alone, or just the 'real' side. When women viewed either the real or comparison posts, researchers noticed that the identification or complete avoidance of the 'perfect' images could prevent them from comparing themselves against impossible beauty standards, reducing the negative impact on body image and actually decreasing body dissatisfaction. 

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    So I guess these TikToks might be doing the whole internet more good than you, me, or even the people creating them realize.

    #9

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    josephinelivinn Report

    Mich
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why bother applying makeup to your face for a photo shoot, when you can apply it digitally

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    #10

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    A.J Milne
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    (Second picture) She looks like a cute nerd😋

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    #11

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    A.J Milne
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why would you do that, your beautiful!

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    #12

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Jamma
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Equally pretty. The one on the right looks like a great friend who is a high achiever as well.

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    #13

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    josephinelivinn Report

    Nicole Tomme
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love the one on the right because her smile looks genuine with the crinkled eyes. Making your eyes look wider and bigger often removes the look of a genuine smile which involves the eyes and mouth.

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    #14

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    josephinelivinn Report

    Zozo🤟
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She is gorgeous!!! Absolutely stunning without editing

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    #15

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    josephinelivinn Report

    Mich
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They both look badly photoshopped. She’s not sitting on that bench.

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    #16

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    breelenehan Report

    Wendy
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It’s so healthy and refreshing to see normal body rolls because they have been censored out of any ads and many people do not realize it’s perfectly normal for our bodies to look this way.

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    #17

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Wendy
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think she’s equally beautiful in both photos.

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    #18

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    A.J Milne
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't lie to yourself, the picture quality is not that good, but I can see that you're gorgeous

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    #19

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    josephinelivinn Report

    Jamma
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's just what bodies do. She's still thin.

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    #20

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Marie
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Natural facial hair on women is real. Editing it out makes it seem embarrassing, when 99% of the time no one cares in real life.

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    #21

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Glirpy
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Those eyelashes need to go. SOOOO creepy!

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    #22

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

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    #23

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Alex K
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    like a different person. even the eye color is changed

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    #24

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Suzanne Clark
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What is with the Blowfish lip look? I'll be gad when that goes out of style, which it will eventually.

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    #25

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    defining.fitness Report

    Glirpy
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No editing here. Just suck in your gut.

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    #27

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Zozo🤟
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The right one is so much better😄😄

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    #28

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    breelenehan Report

    Sheila Reinhard
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pulling your pants up above your waist, prevents muffin top.

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    #29

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Marie
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The left looks drained of color and flat.

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    #30

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    breelenehan Report

    Tim S
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So... smile? Is that the lesson here?

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    #31

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    #32

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    breelenehan Report

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    #34

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

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    #35

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Zozo🤟
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The right looks so much more natural and prettier 😄

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    #36

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    #37

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    #38

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

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    #39

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

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    #40

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    #41

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    #42

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Jackie Johnson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    So much cuter on the right. Looks very similar to an old friend of mine. Also, most of her edited photos she loses some of her dimples.

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    #43

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Jackie Johnson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She should just buy the lipstick she wants instead of photoshopping a color change every time. And maybe some face powder or oil blotting papers. No need for editing.

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    #44

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Jackie Johnson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Again, she should just buy the lipstick color she wants and put that on instead. She could just match one to her photo edits right at the store. Also, she should stop over lipsticking her upper lip. Looks as if she was bibbling koolade the same color as her lipstick.

    #45

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    A.J Milne
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I just realized that it's the same person in almost all these pictures😨

    #46

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Eden
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is one of the only ones w/o heavy editing.

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    #47

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

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    #48

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    josephinelivinn Report

    Jackie Johnson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No difference, just scootched her pants down. I think she's imagining she has a unflattering belly.

    #50

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    Jackie Johnson
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait, the editing is blending her tongue into her bottom lip, Weird!

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    #51

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

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    #52

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    #53

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

    #54

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    rikkisandhuu Report

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    #56

    Fake-Social-Media-Before-After-Rikkisandhuu

    breelenehan Report

    Ara Noguera
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish I had to try this hard to get a muffin top.

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