Over the years, more and more famous people have taken over our screen time. Their luxurious lives and looks are sometimes hard to ignore, and oftentimes, their apparent perfection contributes to our personal insecurities.
Have you ever wondered why so many famous people look the same? Well, that’s because they all are aiming to achieve the “Instagram Face.”
Let’s be real, we all know what an “Instagram Face” looks like: smooth, shiny, wrinkle-free, filled lips, catlike eyes, and most importantly, fake.
The people we follow online are so used to selling this idea of perfection that, in addition to their plastic surgeries (which are fine, because it’s a personal choice), they use filters and Photoshop, which creates very unrealistic beauty standards that we try to copy.
Nowadays, filters are an intrinsic part of social media; every single app supports them. Moreover, we as consumers cannot stop relying on them. I truly don’t remember the last time I went through my friends’ stories and found unfiltered images. And I also commit the same sin, feeling insecure every time someone asks for an unfiltered photo.
Then, why is it such a significant part of our lives if we all know it is fake?
Unfortunately, we spend so much time on social media that our desire to fit in pushes us to be a copy of what’s trendy. We use the same filters, outfits, makeup, etc. to post to our homogeneous feeds, seeking to receive likes. We have lost our sense of identity, thinking that if we do not follow the algorithm, we will not be seen.
We have lost our sense of identity, thinking that if we do not follow the algorithm, we will not be seen.
Although I cannot speak for everyone, it is well known that social media affects how we see ourselves. Our dependence on filters and the rapid increase in plastic surgeries to mimic the aesthetically trendy “Instagram Face” are clear proof of it.
Nothing against changing our appearances; however, we must stop the naturalization of unrealistic beauty standards.
Although easier said than done, I’m here to give you some tips on how to stop comparing yourself and love your natural beauty.
- GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
Who says you have to be on social media 24/7? Life off-screen is full of cool things to do. You could go out with friends, meet new people, travel the world, and expose yourself to different lifestyles. Social networks show us only one type of beauty. In reality? We are all beautiful, but some types of beauty just happen to be trendy right now.
- CHECK WHO YOU FOLLOW
Go through your feed… do you follow accounts that support body positivity? Do the people you follow portray different shapes and sizes? Or are you only exposed to a homogeneous type of beauty? Be selective and follow accounts that help you practice self-love and acceptance.
- BE KIND TO YOURSELF
I know it’s hard not to compare yourself, especially if you’re one click away from finding a feed full of “Instagram Faces.” However, do not forget that what you are seeing is not reality. Real skin has pores, wrinkles, marks, different shades, and more. You don’t have to look like anyone else to be beautiful.
Please stop comparing yourself—you are beautiful just the way you are. Your online self, the one with filters and Photoshop, looks cute. However, she is nowhere near as beautiful as the real you.