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No matter how beautiful and ‘perfect’ the photos on your Instagram feed might look, not all of them are real. Some are so heavily photoshopped, edited, and altered, it’s borderline ridiculous. I know, it sounds unbelievable that somebody would lie on the internet like this!

This is where the Instagram Reality subreddit comes in. It’s a community that finds and shames the most heavily photo-edited IG pictures. Check out their newest pics below and upvote the ones that blew your minds the most, dear Pandas. And read on for Bored Panda's interview with one of the moderators at r/InstagramReality, redditor Cluelessnumber7.

After you’re done scrolling down in disbelief, you might want to have a look through Bored Panda’s previous posts about the weird world of Instagram vs. Reality photos here, here, and here.

#1

He Forgot To Photoshop The iPhone Box’s Shadow

He Forgot To Photoshop The iPhone Box’s Shadow

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#3

She's 50 Years Old And Photoshops Herself To Look Like She's In Her Late 20s. Women, There Is Nothing Wrong With Looking Your Age. You're Not Expected To Look Like A 20 Year Old Forever

She's 50 Years Old And Photoshops Herself To Look Like She's In Her Late 20s. Women, There Is Nothing Wrong With Looking Your Age. You're Not Expected To Look Like A 20 Year Old Forever

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t-joensen avatar
varwenea avatar
varwenea
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks like neither of these photos from the more recent news videos. The aging on the "current" photo is exaggerated too to prove a point.

khairunisaasyikinnoordin avatar
nanashi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

there's a difference between a promo and candid shot.

brent_kaufman_18 avatar
Brent Kaufman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course. She doesn't Photoshop her pictures, the studio or whatever company does. Those people have a warped view of what real people want and what real people should look like. They are snakes looking to sell a false product.

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blugeagua avatar
blugeagua
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There should be no shame in getting older. We're all going to have to go through this. But thanks to the patriarchy, we've been brainwashed to think women should always look 20.

brent_kaufman_18 avatar
Brent Kaufman
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was it the patriarchy that sexualized women on Cosmopolitan magazine, or Helen Gurley Brown, that actually created this false view of women? If women fall for what these people do, then don't blame men for your inability to be and do what you choose. When will you decided to take responsibility for yourself?

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dragonfly_2 avatar
dragon fly
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is stupid. So there's an edited pic on the left (what year is this from BTW?) and extremely unflattering pic on the right. She is 51 goddamit and she is freaking gorgeous. And she looks better than most of the haters who can only hate on fake-compared pics of people more successful than them.

rusty_4 avatar
Susan Stead
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She rocks her age! She ought to be proud of it, not hiding behind a filter.

spikey-bunny avatar
Spikey Bunny
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think she is probably proud of her natural self, but the big companies hire her and she want to keep her "young looking" as long as they can. They want to get their money's worth. What a garbage world we live in. : (

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katieandjaredcoates avatar
Kisses4Katie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, this is why I freak out at 36. It's really not that bad, but they all make it seem like a wrinkle is the end of the world.

ashleylynn avatar
Ashasaurus rex
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is 50!!!! Friggin enough! Stop with the face altering for eff sake.

sfrench1989 avatar
Frenchie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OK. Buts that legit just a candid at the wrong moment. Her skin is still flawless. Also..who cares if she wants to use a filter? It is HER Instagram after all...

ammar_2098 avatar
sweetangelce04 avatar
CatWoman312
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks great naturally. I don’t understand the obsession with hiding that fact

kathrynbaylis_2 avatar
Kathryn Baylis
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do they all try to look 18? There’s absolutely nothing wrong with looking good for your age (which you will, if you’ve taken good care of yourself). Plus, if you’ve had a long career—-as an adult—-we can do the math.

nancybernard avatar
Nancy Bernard
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fifty is NOT old these days. I've been there, and I didn't have wrinkles or sagging, no one should unless they smoke and drink heavily or do drugs. When I was 50, I was guessed at least 10 years younger. Plastic surgery is the worst thing anyone can do, because you need to keep those surgeries up. Best to age gracefully, there is nothing wrong with wrinkles, I can think of things that are much worse, like losing your identity, looking like an alien, or a cat!

sj-dumond avatar
JD Lee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perpetuating the unattainable standard that women are supposed to remain 22-year-old sultry virgins their entire lives. Own the skin you're in ladies! Be the change.

point925l avatar
Douglas Campbell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She also seems to date guys about 20 years younger than she. Definitely infected by the Madonna vampire virus.

sandra_cesca avatar
Sandra Cesca
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shadows and a tense expression are a deadly combination. Nevertheless she's aging well.

ldao avatar
ldao
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not the best "pose" in the second one but in a natural pose I bet she looks just fine.

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Kookamunga
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

J. Lo looks like a lion that works at Sephora... (I have to credit Natasha Leggero)

ctodd1000 avatar
Catherine Todd
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At some point we all have to accept that we are OLD and there's no changing it. J-Lo is looking hard and haggard a lot of the time now, and it's too bad she photoshops herself to look like she's 20, 30 years too late my dear! Set an example for the rest of us... you keep in great shape and let your age and wisdom show! She has enough star power to make a difference in Hollywood, even to producing her own movies. You Go Girl! And get rid of the stripper stuff. You are too talented for that nonsense now. Set an example for your daughter, if nothing else.

flyingsquirrel1228 avatar
Emma M
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You’re aging there, Jennifer. Just accept it, and move on. Like Helen Mirren and Judi Dench

pseudo_puppy avatar
Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These are 2 totally different light qualities too. NO-ONE looks good in harsh midday sun.

heartagram_77 avatar
Sardonic Scribe
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All those pounds of makeup... so sad when women can't just accept the fact that growing older is natural.

dancingllama09 avatar
Todorokie-dokie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is probably going to sound horrible, but... props to her for great editing skills. Now, to sit back and let the downvotes roll in.

r_bekirova avatar
Ruma Walker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks beyond amazing for her age, no argument there, doesn't need the filters at all. However, she still pushes the filter game on Instagram way too much, trying to appear 20+ which is just imho stupid and superficial. You want to keep yourself relevant and appeal to the younger fans? We get it, it's business, but please don't set up unrealistic standards because exactly the young women who follow you are very impressionable. Not to mention - they don't have the money and resources you have to keep up the look.

kbush5168 avatar
Kim Bush
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Such thick makeup in the "older" pic only makes her look even older than she actually is

rebeccafiltopoulos avatar
Rebecca Filtopoulos
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

To her "defense" and the defense of most celebrities, pictures of them are constantly taken for promo, photoshoots, papparazzis, fans, etc, some with very harsh expectations on how they should look to sell, and some on which they have zero control on and can look very unflattering. The beauty standards of the movie and music industries are effed up, fans and haters comments can be effed up too, they are constantly judged on their appearance and we are shocked when they feel the urge to conceal their imperfections or their ageing?

ctodd1000 avatar
Catherine Todd
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

J-Lo is so talented and still presents herself as J-Ho. Why? She should be so far beyond that by now.

musiclady1949 avatar
Colleen Stadnick
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just a not so flattering picture on the right. She looks great IRL too!

trudyurq avatar
Jack Urquhart
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Toooo much c**p on her face. You can see how the color stops at her neckline

braines000 avatar
Ben Raines
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dumb question: How do they know who the person really is and that they're faking it?

carole_strawn avatar
Carole Strawn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I truly don't get the point of this. Do it for your own amusement if you must, but why post it? No one stays young forever.

verenaheis avatar
Verena Heisenberg
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Even though photoshop probably has done it's work in the left one, nevertheless it all depends on the angel and lighting .... beautiful in both pictures, such a classy women

merilynhorton avatar
Merilyn Horton
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like fraud to me: I actually thought she was still youthful and she looks no better than me.

aonghaisthelady avatar
Rosemary
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She is still wearing face-shaping make-up in the un-photoshopped picture. I wonder what she looks like with absolutely no make-up on at all. I am 78 - do not wear make-up - do not worry about the colour of my hair - but ask anyone in the street who sees me how old I am and the answer is usually "maybe 50?". And no, I am not fat or even plump, so my wrinkles are obvious. But I am proud of my wrinkles because I earned every single one of them.

nero1234 avatar
Dana Nero
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The first pic is from a video from twenty years ago when she dated pdiddy

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Mimi M
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's a beautiful woman, looks better as her real self.

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Mehmet Sayılır
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's always been so repulsive. Now pretending like a young makes her even worse!

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Lola
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

It’s hard to let go of your looks when you made your millions from it. It’s not like she can sing or act.

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Ryan Wilkins
Community Member
3 years ago

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She's a total phony with zero talent and integrity

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Amanda Sherland
Community Member
3 years ago

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Well, that's not really too bad. She smoothed her skin, didnt really change her features.

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Moderator Cluelessnumber7 explained to Bored Panda about the two main negative effects of heavily photoshopping photos. "The first? The unrealistic expectations influencers purport to their impressionable followers. The amazingly smooth skin, suddenly common almond shaped eyes, pouty lips, sharp jaw lines, slim hourglass shapes, and so on," they said.

"What’s being lost by just posting that photo for the masses is the time it took to pick the outfit, hunt down the right lighting, pick which hand to take the selfies with (yes, seriously), and that’s all before smoothing, refining, and resizing in Facetune. Without disclosing that, there is now a countless amount of people comparing themselves (and perhaps spending money to look like) a person who doesn’t exist," the redditor pointed out one of the dangers of influencers heavily altering their own appearance.

#4

Not Even Craters Are Safe From Mad Filtering

Not Even Craters Are Safe From Mad Filtering

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WilvanderHeijden
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually, it's the guy in the lower picture exposing another influenza madness. He is not the idiot here.

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#5

I Didn’t Know There Was A Wax Statue In Milan

I Didn’t Know There Was A Wax Statue In Milan

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#6

Shrunken Head

Shrunken Head

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Elizabeth Molloy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One hand tiny, other hand HUGE! I don't know what she was trying to achieve here, but it hasn't worked.

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"The second is one that many people don’t like to address—the insecurities of those who feel the need to edit their photos. They’ve been editing their photos for so long it could mean losing the validation from their followers, losing followers, and maybe losing sponsors if they came clean. So, they would rather enjoy the false fame, than risk losing it over integrity."

We also wanted to find out what steps could be taken to reduce the amount of photo-editing that people do online. "This is a very complicated question, but one step that we should fight for is to get rid of all filters that alter the shape, size, or proportions of anything to do with someone’s body," Cluelessnumber7 told us.

"Filters have become a crutch for so many people on Instagram that they now edit their still photos to look like their filtered Snapchat videos; adjusting their noses, tone of their skin, smoothing all blemishes, adding lashes in post," they said. "These filters, while fun, are surprisingly insidious. You don’t realize that you expect to look like the filtered version of yourself, until you attempt to take a photo without them."

#8

“No Filter” But Instagram Says Otherwise At The Top

“No Filter” But Instagram Says Otherwise At The Top

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Kate
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No filter but in addition to her eyes, somehow all the pores from her face and lines on her fingers have also disappeared.

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#9

I Thought People Had More Sense Than To Believe This Is Real, But She Popped Up On My Feed Because Friends Of Mine Shared Images Like This As "Goals"

I Thought People Had More Sense Than To Believe This Is Real, But She Popped Up On My Feed Because Friends Of Mine Shared Images Like This As "Goals"

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While there’s nothing wrong with putting an artistic filter on a photo to slightly change the colors, it’s easy to go overboard. A handful of changes can become a dozen which then become a hundred and soon enough, you’ve airbrushed yourself so much, you can’t even recognize yourself anymore.

According to Brooke Erin Duffy, an assistant professor at Cornell University studying self-presentation on Instagram, “Nobody wants to be called fake.” So deciding how much to edit your photos is a huge dilemma for influencers.

“Influencers very much feel they need to present themselves authentically while getting the best image possible,” she told The Guardian.

#10

The Mirror Always Seems To Expose These People

The Mirror Always Seems To Expose These People

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Mel Fairfeather
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Okay, wait. This one... I don't think it's photoshopped, or at least it isn't photoshopped much. Speaking as a pro photographer who DOES do retouching, but also works ALLLLL the angles, this one looks like she's sucking in and twisted so the reflection makes her look much thicker in the waist than what you see when looking from this angle. There's also something dark just behind her elbow in the reflection that makes her waist look thicker too. It's just a shade lighter than the dress. This one doesn't belong here, I don't think.

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#12

Can‘t Believe How She Thinks That’s Acceptable

Can‘t Believe How She Thinks That’s Acceptable

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Meanwhile, the Instagram Reality community moderators further shared their own thoughts about photoshopping pictures in a previous interview with Bored Panda.

According to them, Instagram users want to see influencers post natural photos of themselves, not something that’s been “edited to hell” and back. The mods remain optimistic that influencers will eventually realize that, especially with part of the global population still stuck at home due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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#13

The Original Has Finally Seen The Light Of Day

The Original Has Finally Seen The Light Of Day

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Kisses4Katie
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These women are really insecure. I'm not saying I'm not, but I don't try and fight it.

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#14

I Literally Have No Words...

I Literally Have No Words...

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Awia
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He is also a croatian wannabe celebrity. He did soooo many plastic surgery he doesn't even look like a human anymore. Google Neven Ciganovic

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#15

Blursed Rich Man

Blursed Rich Man

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The things that make people yearn to photoshop themselves into ‘perfect’ human beings are “insecurity, envy, and money,” as well as avoiding embarrassment because you think you might have hang-ups about some parts of your body or face.

However, natural photos have a lot of charm because they’re authentic, honest, and more people can relate to them.

#18

Don’t Compare Yourself To Photoshopped People

Don’t Compare Yourself To Photoshopped People

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#19

Ribs? Only For Dinner

Ribs? Only For Dinner

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#21

Oh My God

Oh My God

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#22

So What Now, Are We Supposed To Be Ashamed Of Our... Ankles?

So What Now, Are We Supposed To Be Ashamed Of Our... Ankles?

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#23

Had This Saved As Inspiration To Lose Weight When Struggling With An Eating Disorder. Now, I Can’t Believe I Never Noticed The Water Bending Around Her Waist

Had This Saved As Inspiration To Lose Weight When Struggling With An Eating Disorder. Now, I Can’t Believe I Never Noticed The Water Bending Around Her Waist

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troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This should not be a body standard to be inspired from, even if it was real

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#24

Eyes, Skin, Cheekbones... So Natural Looking

Eyes, Skin, Cheekbones... So Natural Looking

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#25

I Guess She Thought No One Would Notice Her Editing If She Blurred Out Her Surroundings

I Guess She Thought No One Would Notice Her Editing If She Blurred Out Her Surroundings

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#26

When One Person Posts The Edited Photo And The Other Posts The Original

When One Person Posts The Edited Photo And The Other Posts The Original

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#28

Jawline Looking Like The Hull Of A Ship

Jawline Looking Like The Hull Of A Ship

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#29

So We Gone Talk About That Leg Or Nah

So We Gone Talk About That Leg Or Nah

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#30

On Instagram vs.on TV

On Instagram vs.on TV

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Elizabeth Molloy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know people look different with and without make-up, but if you were going on TV, wouldn't you at least TRY and look something approximating your line image?

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#31

"Water" At Popular Instagram Location In Bali Is Actually An Optical Illusion. It's A Piece Of Glass Under An iPhone

"Water" At Popular Instagram Location In Bali Is Actually An Optical Illusion. It's A Piece Of Glass Under An iPhone

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#32

Armpits Are So Overrated

Armpits Are So Overrated

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#34

Burmese Influencer Claims Her Skinny Waist Come From Eating Healthy

Burmese Influencer Claims Her Skinny Waist Come From Eating Healthy

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#35

Are You Sure About The Non-Photoshop Part?

Are You Sure About The Non-Photoshop Part?

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#38

When I First Saw This, I Thought I Was Still Asleep

When I First Saw This, I Thought I Was Still Asleep

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#39

This Is Why Instagram Needs To Get Banned Like Tiktok

This Is Why Instagram Needs To Get Banned Like Tiktok

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#40

Bendy Grass Around The Waist

Bendy Grass Around The Waist

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Catlady6000
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At least this looks almost realistic. Her organs are probably still where they should be

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Note: this post originally had 84 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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