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The rise of selfie culture has changed the ways we perceive beauty beyond recognition. It has blurred the lines of what’s real and fake, of what’s natural and purely fictional. When heavy photo editing and filters came to social media, at first, everyone was just messing around.

Now, kids as young as ten are airbrushing their selfies with ready-made augmented-reality face filters that often sharpen, shrink, and enhance their faces and bodies. But the result is often anything but pretty. And now, many social media influencers are being busted for using these filters to alter their identities and create fake personalities.

It’s no secret that some go as far as pushing this fakery to its very limits, and this is where the community r/InstagramReality steps in. "It's unbelievable how some people get away with it while others don't!" the subreddit writes on its page.

Let’s see some of the worst offenders below, and after you’re done scrolling, make sure to check our previous posts on Insta vs Reality here, here and here.

#1

This Model Makes Herself Look Easily 25 Years Younger And It’s Crazy

This Model Makes Herself Look Easily 25 Years Younger And It’s Crazy

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wendillon avatar
Monday
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Geez the filtered version makes her look like she could be her own daughter.

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#3

Will Never Understand The Appeal Of Little Head Syndrome

Will Never Understand The Appeal Of Little Head Syndrome

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Bored Panda reached out to Erin Alyssa Vogel, a social psychologist and senior research associate at the University of Southern California. Her researches involve adolescent e-cigarette use, social media and digital health, and tobacco use disparities in the LGBTQ+ community.

“Influencers are under a lot of pressure to make themselves and their lives look perfect. Most people who use social media try to portray themselves in a positive light, by posting about good things that happen to them and posting their favorite photos of themselves,” Erin explained.

However, for influencers, the pressure to look perfect is even more pronounced, she said. “Their appearance is part of their brand. Face tunes and filters can help them achieve the perfect look. I wouldn't say face tunes and filters are 'addictive,' per se.”

“But when people get used to seeing only filtered photos of themselves, they may start to really dislike their natural appearance, and continue to use filters,” she added.

#4

He Has One Sky That Follows Him Around Everywhere He Goes. Amazing How Its So Consistent!

He Has One Sky That Follows Him Around Everywhere He Goes. Amazing How Its So Consistent!

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#5

My Friend Met This Girl And She Looks Nothing Like This

My Friend Met This Girl And She Looks Nothing Like This

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anne-karina avatar
Anne
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd thing that would be a good thing.. can you imagine looking like that.. You'd scare everyone..

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MacDudu
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The fact your friend went to meet someone who they thought looked like this is worrying.

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Ren Karlej
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would hope not! Poor woman can't be mentally healthy. I feel sorry for most of these people.

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Rebekah Krause
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don’t think she is trying to pass herself off like that.. right? It’s more trying to look “artistically“ like a bratz doll.. that was an IG trend for quite a while so I am assuming/hoping.

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Sonia Bailey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good job she doesn't look like that in real life - she looks like an alien intent on stealing your body.

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

Did they really expect to meet a human looking like that?

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DDmaybeandor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I just noticed the leg sticking out too. Does it taper the wrong way?

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

If only we could get an app that can return photoshopped faces to normal. Many awkward meetings would have been saved.

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13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Blackhole sun won't you come and wash awaaaay the raaaain

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Lizzie Tonks
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look at the leg it looks like plastic. What does she think she is, character from Monster High?

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CincyReds
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

ummm I would be very happy not look like this. Jesus, looks like an alien. How does she think she even looks good!

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cybermerlin2000
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks like she is going to go back to her spaceship and abduct people to defile with a rectal probing before going off to mutilate some cows

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Sabse
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It is also better that way. Otherwise he would be on Centauri Alpha 1 right now.

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alex
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

wait so did 2468 people actually think this was real!?

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Mihail Dragolov
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

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Simzabandz
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

no but this looks like the bride from corpse bride, check it out lol https://www.google.com/search?q=corpse+bride&rlz=1C1GCEU_enZA931ZA931&sxsrf=AOaemvLif_eT7jh3TDuquEio5ZhFs_qh6Q:1631718401546&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjL4cndoIHzAhXwR0EAHd3EDnYQ_AUoAXoECAEQAw&biw=1081&bih=423

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Faith Nicole
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What in the actual f**k was this alien thinking?! You gotta shrink your eyes down more to be more human like, and widen your face to match the top portion. Then people will believe aliens walk the earth in human form You ce down like this, and well- we can spot you thousands of miles away!

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Wednesday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope she doesn't look like that IRL. That would be creepyAF.

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ZEFCAT
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That leg...Is it comming in or is it going out?

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Christel Nellemann
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Noone looks like this. That is just a weird reprensentation of a twisted idea of beauty, has nothing to do with real humans.

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Arenite
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well thank god! I can see her walking down the street as everybody runs away screaming!

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Lindy Mac
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is not a person. Do not be fooled. That is a mannequin.

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Linn Shonta
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fake Barbie!! Why would someone actually want to look this way? So unnatural!🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️😵‍💫🤷‍♀️

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Cathy Carey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would hope not - she looks like an alien trying to look human

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Westmalle
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"My Friend Met This Girl And She Looks Nothing Like This" Really? Imagine she did.

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Sherry Harvey
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Of course she looks nothing like this. This person doesn’t even look human.

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funkybluegirl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would imagine that nobody (in real life), actually, looks like this.

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Naomi Cline
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I should hope not! Not unless she was in a Tim Burton movie world

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Flopsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Your friend is very courageous and I can only imagine he was pleasantly surprised

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Catherine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank goodness!! Though this would be a great Nightmare Before Christmas costume 😅

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Butternut DerpFarts
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I know the name of that filter. It’s called “outta this world alien queen”

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Rannveig Ess
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is mental illness, not beauty. It's criminal that social media allows this stuff. people need help, and they're not only hurting themselves by having an audience that feeds it but it effects other girls who really think this is how you ought to look and this is obtainable.

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Victor
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Which clothing store did you steal that mannequin from?

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Valley Girl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like someone returned one of those sex dolls for being defective.

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Lucia Lintnerová
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks nothing like this ... oh thank god! I mean this is creepy AF!

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Sue Knerl
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks like a feckin' alien. Her leg looks like a board.

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Mazer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It just shows how stressful it is for some people, our societies judge everyone on their looks. If you are not born beautiful, everyday life can be hell

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Sarah Tate
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well geez I hope not. I'd be calling an exorcist if someone looked like that in real life!!

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Nikki Sevven
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Literally no one looks anything like that trip to Uncanny Valley.

rens_1 avatar
Rens
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Monstrous, unless she's auditioning for a part in a Tim Burton film!

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VeryDarkMatter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If this thing would come at me in dark alley, I would run! Good, she does not look like that for real. I cant help but to feel sorry for this people. They have been brainwashed to meet beauty standards that actually turned them into ugly standards..

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StellaLehggs
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well yeah, she looks like a Tim Burton creation in this photo. If she looked like this in real life, something would be very, VERY wrong.

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matilda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Was your friend even surprised that she doesn't look like this? I would be relieved to be honest lol 🤣

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Pepper DeVoe
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ya think! What dummy would think she would actually look like this

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GaeFrog
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She would have looked beautiful without the scary editing...

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Bronwyn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks like Sally from Nightmare Before Christmas finally escaped for good and living in the city.

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Vicky Zar
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I she really looked like this I would call the MIB

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Ancsuri
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks like the child of barbie and that Momo thing...

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Hilary Mol
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Photographic proof that aliens have, indeed, landed on earth.

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Ivana
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, if she did you would have to take her to a doctor. I mean, it would make a cool looking doll but if you saw someone who looked like this in real life then it would be clear that aliens to exist.

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Leslie B
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks like one of those Bratz dolls my niece used to have.

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UncleRussian
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now when you say met you mean she found her somewhere of performed a Satanic Ritual

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A B C
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks nothing like... a manga character? Well good for her. The look on the photo is just gross to me.

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TmKhr
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do these people make themselves look so unnatural?? It's insane

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#6

Body Positivity So Strong It Caused A Tsunami

Body Positivity So Strong It Caused A Tsunami

yummmmmmmmmm Report

It’s no secret that the addictive face filters, heavy photo editing and other appearance enhancements that are so popular these days on social media often do more harm than good. “Filters help create and enforce unrealistic beauty standards,” Erin stated and added that “For many years, we've been exposed to airbrushed and highly edited photos of models and celebrities.”

“Now, with social media, we see filtered photos of our peers too. It's easy to forget that the other person's appearance is not actually flawless. We may compare our real appearance to other people's filtered appearances and feel worse about ourselves as a result. Also, if we only see filtered photos of ourselves, our natural appearance in photos may start to look strange and wrong to us.”

#7

What She Posts vs. A Screenshot I Took From A Video

What She Posts vs. A Screenshot I Took From A Video

monsterzombie88 Report

#8

She Can Touch The Sky With Those Legs

She Can Touch The Sky With Those Legs

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We also spoke to Helen Egger MD, a child psychiatrist and co-founder and Chief Medical and Chief Scientific Officer of Little Otter. “We’ve always had the challenge of images being filtered and doctored to make unrealistic measures for what beauty looks like,” she said. But filters on social media take it to the next level, “because it's not just seeing an image of a celebrity who is unrealistic and measuring yourself against that person, it’s measuring your real self against a pretend image of yourself.”

According to Helen, “Edited images receive positive reinforcement from likes and comments, which serve as a dopamine hit. You like the feeling and want to do it again, which feeds on itself.” Meanwhile, “Face filters use algorithms to reinforce a certain standard of beauty that is very narrow. It doesn’t support individuality, it supports conformity with what’s the standard of beauty, which is worrisome.”

“In some cases, this can turn into body dysmorphic disorder, in which you are convinced some aspect of your body isn’t good enough. It becomes a fixation, an obsessive worry that often leads to anxiety, social isolation, eating disorders and seeking out cosmetic surgery,” the child psychiatrist concluded.

#10

Tagged vs. Posted. She Actually Looks Really Good For 72 Y/O But Can’t Help Herself With The Photoshop

Tagged vs. Posted. She Actually Looks Really Good For 72 Y/O But Can’t Help Herself With The Photoshop

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#11

Intestines ? Never Heard Of Them

Intestines ? Never Heard Of Them

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#12

Saw This A While Back... Thought I’d Post It Here

Saw This A While Back... Thought I’d Post It Here

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#13

Makeup Is Truly Amazing. It's The Nose For Me

Makeup Is Truly Amazing. It's The Nose For Me

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#15

Don’t Understand How Someone Can See This As Anything But Straight Up Scary

Don’t Understand How Someone Can See This As Anything But Straight Up Scary

faevic Report

#16

When Your Shadow Looks More Realistic Than You. Seriously, Bellies Don't Need To Be Fixed

When Your Shadow Looks More Realistic Than You. Seriously, Bellies Don't Need To Be Fixed

auapld Report

#17

Came Across On Pinterest. It’s On A Clothing Website. When Your Arms Are Bigger Than Your Legs

Came Across On Pinterest. It’s On A Clothing Website. When Your Arms Are Bigger Than Your Legs

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#18

Iger Compares Editing Before And After

Iger Compares Editing Before And After

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#19

Claims It's All Makeup And Expensive Wigs

Claims It's All Makeup And Expensive Wigs

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#20

I Don't Even Know Where To Start

I Don't Even Know Where To Start

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#21

What Am I Even Looking At

What Am I Even Looking At

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#24

Does Anybody Else See The Purple-Ish Rectangle Around Her Head In Both Pictures? Also, The Proportions Just Seem Off

Does Anybody Else See The Purple-Ish Rectangle Around Her Head In Both Pictures? Also, The Proportions Just Seem Off

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#26

Aight

Aight

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Otter
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Hon? There's a roach crawling over your photoshopped belly..."

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#27

Excuse Me?

Excuse Me?

FrankieSaysRelax311 Report

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wendillon avatar
Monday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ma'am, I don't want to alarm you but you seem to have lost your bellybutton.

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#28

Her Eye Edits Make Me Uncomfortable

Her Eye Edits Make Me Uncomfortable

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13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That crack in her upper lip looks painful.

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#29

Spotted On Tinder

Spotted On Tinder

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#30

Instagram vs. Youtube, Ma'am, You're Lying To Yourself

Instagram vs. Youtube, Ma'am, You're Lying To Yourself

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#31

Finally Spotted One In The Wild On Tinder

Finally Spotted One In The Wild On Tinder

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Apachebathmat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I get the whole ‘in motion’ staged pictures but if you look at this one, there is only one thing she could be doing and that is cracking off a hard fart... and I salute her

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#32

He Has An Onlyfans Where I Can Only Assume He’s Photoshopped A Giant Dong As Well

He Has An Onlyfans Where I Can Only Assume He’s Photoshopped A Giant Dong As Well

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#33

She’s My Current Favourite From The Show She’s In But The Ig vs. Reality Isn’t Adding Up

She’s My Current Favourite From The Show She’s In But The Ig vs. Reality Isn’t Adding Up

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#35

Hard To Believe It’s The Same Girl

Hard To Believe It’s The Same Girl

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#36

Those Grocery Shelves

Those Grocery Shelves

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AB Games
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

how could anyone find such a bottom sexy or attractive??? what's wrong with these people?

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#38

Gray Halo All Aroun'! Or Floating Buttocks'?

Gray Halo All Aroun'! Or Floating Buttocks'?

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#39

I Absolutely Love This Brand And Have Bought From Them Many Times, But How Dare You Have Fingers That Bend? Feeling Like I Don’t Fit In With All My Joints

I Absolutely Love This Brand And Have Bought From Them Many Times, But How Dare You Have Fingers That Bend? Feeling Like I Don’t Fit In With All My Joints

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Sergy Yeltsen
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How the hell do you live with claws like that? It's horrific. How do you use keys, use electronic devices, cook, hell, change a tampon?

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#40

Photoshop? Filters? Surgery? Yes

Photoshop? Filters? Surgery? Yes

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Ritchat
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She lost 40 pounds after a gastric band operation and she got injections into her jawline, lips and forehead to shape her face. And make-up does the rest. So she actually looks like this now.

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Note: this post originally had 95 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.