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If a photo on Instagram looks too good to be true, it probably is. Even though the platform can be a wonderful and inspiring place, full of beautiful and artistic images, oftentimes it's misleading, too. Photography "tricks" and post-production dissolves the difference between real and fake. And some people try to make use of it, turning their looks into what they think society desires.

Eventually, it got so bad, a counter-movement emerged on Reddit in 2017. The community is called Instagram Reality, and it is dedicated to "exposing" these personas, trying to stop the spread of unreachable ideals and unrealistic expectations. To do so, it is posting side-by-side pics of how Instagrammers look online and in real life.

Bored Panda has already written about the subreddit (most recent articles here, here, and here), but it continues to dig out more and more... "specimens", so we gotta keep up; the pictures are getting more and more ridiculous.

#1

Found On A Dating App. I Am Genuinely Concerned

Found On A Dating App. I Am Genuinely Concerned

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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 as fake could "disrupt the comparison process," reducing the negative impact on body image and actually decreasing body dissatisfaction. 

#2

I Thinks She's So Beautiful Without The Photoshop. Body Dysmorphia Is Real

I Thinks She's So Beautiful Without The Photoshop. Body Dysmorphia Is Real

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

Why? She is soooo beautiful, she doesn't need this!

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

She is naturally very, very beautiful. The fake picture looks like an alien.

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Stille20
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

but here is the thing... does she get more followers with her fake face? Is it super messed up? Yes, but people respond to it.

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

there's nothing wrong with her I don't get the difference besides the filter color and how what she is wearing

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

In the real picture she has an exotic beauty. In the photoshopped one she just looks like every other photoshopped woman- fake and bland.

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

Hell I grew up with TWIGGY as a physical roll model.....just sayin

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

this pic sums up whats wrong with many woman and men in their 20s. She has been conditioned by the media and music videos to think she needs to look a certain way when really she is beautiful anyway in fact way more beautiful in the real picture. so sad.

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BM85
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I dont think this i PS, I think this is just different makeup (I hate the over lined lip btw) and better lighting, maybe a smidge of facetune but nothing drastic, she is beaut!

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

She looks uniquely pretty as a human being on the right. On the left, she looks like a generic barbie.

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

this isnt body dysmorphia. she just used different lighting and makeup. Looks exactly the same

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

Main difference is lighting. Left is lit with studio flashes, right with lamp bulbs. Photoshop here is not as bad as others in this topic

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

much, MUCh PRETTIER without photoshop. is she blind? or maybe has just a severe case of body/face dysmoprhia

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

On the right, she sorta reminds me of Audrey Hepburn. She doesn't need that photoshop!

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

I don't think anyone needs any filters or apps to make themselves look "beautiful."

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

Trying to join the common pout expressions..looking like a doll not a real live girl as she is

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

she so much better without the photoshop! damn... stop changing yourself

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

Really attractive ala natural! Beautiful facial features get lost with photoshop.

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

I'd rather date her normal self. N I'm not into girls!

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

We can all agree on that! She's incredibly beautiful this is absurd

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

I don't understand why this is second place and is considered body dysmorphia... Plenty of makeup artists do these kind of effects on their eyes and lips. To me it just feel like she is wearing makeup and that's all.

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

Active else instantly think 'It's Mal and Inara's daughter!' ? For reference: https://www.google.com/search?q=mal+and+Inara%27s&safe=strict&client=ms-android-google&prmd=visn&sxsrf=ALeKk00LChwo_1vFbLopvQouiKtAzAv2eg:1607662793060&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjIq8vNksXtAhVFrJ4KHQN9DfIQ_AUoAnoECAUQAg&biw=393&bih=680&dpr=2.75#imgrc=PqQ0UZQODTOSyM

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

She looks better on the right, honestly. I know she’ll probably never see this, but you look beautiful, girl! Sort of like Emily Deschanel and Gal Gadot had a baby.

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

So much prettier and real looking before the Kardashian special.

suzi63 avatar
Suzi Gauthier
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's more beautiful i real life. The Photoshopped picture looks like an alien.

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

You are stunning without any changes. My god why mess with perfection?

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

The one on the right looks more like someone I'd rather know. More natural and hence more attractive.

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

By using flash her origianl picture would be so much better than the photoshoped one.

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"Results suggest that the popular quote 'Comparison is the thief of joy'… has some truth to it," Renee Engeln, a professor of psychology at Northwestern University, writes for Psychology Today. "However, it seems to matter who the target of your comparison is. We may have more luck accepting our own bodies if we see more realistic and diverse representations of other bodies in our social media feeds.

"By following users who regularly challenge the frequent phoniness of Instagram posts, we can practice appreciating the diversity of human bodies and perhaps learn to appreciate our own bodies along the way."

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#4

Pores You Say?

Pores You Say?

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

So, so fake. While they're at it, should have changed her teeth and gave the other one a real Chanel pendant. Why not do it all?

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#5

A Beautiful 51 Year Old Woman Who Doesn’t Need The Facetune

A Beautiful 51 Year Old Woman Who Doesn’t Need The Facetune

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Mimi777
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everyone ages. It’s part of life. She’s still beautiful. And looks great for 51.

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#6

I'm No Doctor But Her Head Is Small

I'm No Doctor But Her Head Is Small

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#7

Photographer Trying To Claim That The Long Legs Are Only Due To “Angling”

Photographer Trying To Claim That The Long Legs Are Only Due To “Angling”

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#8

When The Mirror Lets You Down

When The Mirror Lets You Down

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#10

That Foot Said, “Mr. Stark? Don’t Feel So Good.”

That Foot Said, “Mr. Stark? Don’t Feel So Good.”

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

That's no foot!! That's a pirates stump!! Foot stumpin' all over the place, what is a boy to do?

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#11

Photoshopped A Lambo Logo On Her Honda, The Blue One In The Back Also Looks Fake

Photoshopped A Lambo Logo On Her Honda, The Blue One In The Back Also Looks Fake

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#13

A German Reality TV Star On Instagram vs. On TV

A German Reality TV Star On Instagram vs. On TV

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#15

Rtx On

Rtx On

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

If he would take of his shirt in front of me and look like that.. I think I'll run away... screaming...

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#16

Original vs. What She Posted

Original vs. What She Posted

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#18

Bro..... Seriously

Bro..... Seriously

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Kosh1k
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, there's overzealous use of filters and photoshop (Eerily bright teeth and skin). But you can tell it's the same guy, and it doesn't slip too far into "uncanney valley" territory.

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#19

Delusion

Delusion

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#20

The Only Photos She Posts Anymore Are Pictures Of Models With Her Face Photoshopped In Instead

The Only Photos She Posts Anymore Are Pictures Of Models With Her Face Photoshopped In Instead

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#22

I Genuinely Don't Understand This. She Does This All The Time. She Doesn't Even Slightly Resemble Herself

I Genuinely Don't Understand This. She Does This All The Time. She Doesn't Even Slightly Resemble Herself

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#23

2 In 3 Use Photoshop

2 In 3 Use Photoshop

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

Yeah... but which two??? If only someone could shine a light or something...

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#25

I Didn't See It Until The Direct Comparison

I Didn't See It Until The Direct Comparison

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#26

Her Billboard vs. A Pic From An Interview

Her Billboard vs. A Pic From An Interview

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#27

When You Get So Tan That Even Your Eyes Get Darker. (Summer 2018 On Left vs. Summer 2020)

When You Get So Tan That Even Your Eyes Get Darker. (Summer 2018 On Left vs. Summer 2020)

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#28

Her Promo Pic On Social Media vs. Photo From Her Promo Event

Her Promo Pic On Social Media vs. Photo From Her Promo Event

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

Oh god! That's just so sad. Too many wrong messages they're getting to young people, damaging their confidence and making them believe that flaws or ageing is something wrong.

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#29

She Has 217k Followers On Insta

She Has 217k Followers On Insta

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

She was actually on Greece's Next Top Model as a plus size model and she was actually pretty good. She knows how to pose and how to make beautiful expressions with her face. But this picture on the right is just... it just isn't her. I don't understand why they're doing this. She is a beautiful girl.

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Note: this post originally had 82 images. It’s been shortened to the top 29 images based on user votes.