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Some of the images people post online can range from cute to an utter spit in the face of photography. But there is a specific subset of absurd pictures where a person has decided that no one will notice the mountain of filters they have applied.
We’ve gathered some of the most egregious examples of “Instagram versus reality” on the internet. We also got in touch with Erin Vogel, PhD, Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center to discuss beauty standards and how they warp people’s perceptions. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and share your thoughts below.

#1

Thank You Tinder For The Incoming Nightmares Ill Have Tonight

Thank You Tinder For The Incoming Nightmares Ill Have Tonight

benkirby1992 Report

#2

Internal Organs? Never Heard Of 'Em

Internal Organs? Never Heard Of 'Em

Negative_Splace Report

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Nimitz
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's not healthy dude. Also, you're only lifting 25 lbs. Calm down

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#3

I’m Sensing A Filter

I’m Sensing A Filter

OriginalGSpot Report

Bored Panda got in touch with Erin Vogel, PhD, Assistant Professor at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and she was kind enough to share some thoughts with us on beauty standards, what causes them, where they come from and what people can do to change their mindset.

“Beauty standards are rooted in systems of power. People with privilege set standards that are not attainable—and maybe not desirable—for most people. For example, in the United States, many beauty standards are centered around White people’s appearances.”

#4

Omeone Needs To Come Take Their Moms Phone (In The Comments She Swears She Didn't Edit)

Omeone Needs To Come Take Their Moms Phone (In The Comments She Swears She Didn't Edit)

reddit.com Report

#5

Must Be Her Sister In The Car

Must Be Her Sister In The Car

illegalmemesforsal Report

#6

Nearly Had A Heart Attack When I Opened Tinder This Morning

Nearly Had A Heart Attack When I Opened Tinder This Morning

reknae Report

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“Advertisements, both online and offline, reinforce the idea that we need to spend money on products and services to look a certain way to be attractive and feel good about ourselves,” she shared. After all, if you constantly feel like your own body, hair or face is a problem, chances are you’ll spend money to “fix” it.

#7

One Of Those Whitening Ads Again

One Of Those Whitening Ads Again

reddit.com Report

#8

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!

BlurzIce Report

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#9

Photographer’s Page vs. Model’s Page

Photographer’s Page vs. Model’s Page

reddit.com Report

We also wanted to know if there were any other “sources” of beauty standards. “Traditional media and social media both play a role in setting beauty standards. When people with certain features (e.g., thinner or more muscular bodies) are consistently shown in the media, we collectively start to believe that those features are ideal.”

#10

Her Entire Profile Is Filled With These!

Her Entire Profile Is Filled With These!

reddit.com Report

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Lotekguy
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whatdoyoumean? That's not the least bit creepy. She'll look great in a coffin. The makeup job is particularly good for one who can't see her reflection in a mirror.

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#11

What She Lacks In Calves She Makes Up In Shoe Size

What She Lacks In Calves She Makes Up In Shoe Size

funpolicebendover Report

#12

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

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

afroqt Report

So we also wanted to hear her advice on what people can do to try and “shield” themselves from the constant bombardment of certain body types and looks. “Follow people on social media whose content brings something good to your life. Social media can be great for staying in touch with friends, making ourselves laugh, and learning something new.”

#13

Every Post Is This Weird Forced Laugh Pose And Soullessly White Eyes

Every Post Is This Weird Forced Laugh Pose And Soullessly White Eyes

lolita_babe Report

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María Hermida
Community Member
3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She reminds me of a silly joke my little students used to repeat all the time: "Have you ever seen a purple elephant hiding behind a flower?" When you answered no, they'd say: "that's because they are very good at hiding". Well, this "woman" is trying to hide behind the pizza. But she's not as good at hiding as the purple elephant.

Anywhere but Here
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have a sneaking suspicion this is a woman who is aging and terrified of the fact. Hard to explain how you can tell by the face but iykyk.

The Announcer
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One photo from home with her light ring made her eyes look good, so she just ctrl + c, ctrl + v

Colleen Glim
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How stale is that pizza that it’s standing upright next to “her” face

sweetrottenpeaches
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't know which is worse... Her face ot that "AC/DC" shirt... 😭

wuchi51
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The insane cackle that carried no mirth whatsoever but more than a fair share of panic and desperation

Oskar vanZandt
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Perfect illustration of the notion that one's smile doesn't reach the eyes (fake smiling).

ohjojo (you/your's)
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But don't her friends, who look at these photos, know this isn't what she looks like??

D J At Daycare
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's not eating pizza, That's the before and after acne treatment promo! Looking good Debbie!

Jaaawn
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fake laughs down the lens during the day, real tears fall down the shower drain at night.

David
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do you edit, then look at those and think, "Yeah, that's good, let's post it"? Also - here teeth have interesting lengths. Unless the filter that made them white also changed their lengths, they are kind of unusual.

laura lee
Community Member
3 months ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sad Millennial, you don't have to fake the live laugh love aesthetic anymore, gen z came and stopped all that nonsense. It's OK to be real now.

frank behnsen
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She’s holding that slice of pizza the wrong way round. AFAICT, you’re supposed to put the pizza’s salami side on yer eyes. It’ll give yer eyelashes that “natural sence” no one can resist.

G A
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like every photo you see of Scary Spice. Always got her f*****g gob open.

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#14

She Could Be An Olympic Swimmer With Those Flippers!

She Could Be An Olympic Swimmer With Those Flippers!

AndreasBerthou Report

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G A
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Another one who changes colour as well as proportion part way up

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#15

Same Person - Instagram & Screenshot On Television

Same Person - Instagram & Screenshot On Television

reddit.com Report

“If you notice that you’re constantly comparing yourself to other people on social media and feeling bad about yourself, it might be time to follow some new people. There are plenty of body-positive people of all shapes and sizes on social media. Find someone relatable. Their content might be uplifting when you’re struggling with the pressure to look perfect.”

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#17

You Have Got To Be Kidding Me

You Have Got To Be Kidding Me

scorpiopath Report

#18

I Finally Found One In The Wild

I Finally Found One In The Wild

thelittleEcho Report

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G A
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not sure even the sea is real in this one...looks like Pete Burns mated with a heron and a clown.

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However, setting those standards aside, we also wanted to hear her opinion on the sorts of images seen here. After all, beauty standards are one thing, but some of these are so overly edited that there is no way they look “good.” “We spend a lot of time on social media, and we adjust to seeing and using filters!” she shared.

#19

Those Proportions Though

Those Proportions Though

slm81 Report

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“Many people who edit their images may be trying to fit a certain ideal that seems normal and desirable on social media.” Unfortunately, if you spend too much time just looking at edited photos, you end up with a skewed idea of what human beings look like. So if 90% of the people you see are on Instagram, the photos here are not that far from the norm.

#22

New Picture vs. Picture From 2020

New Picture vs. Picture From 2020

Nahareeli Report

#23

I’m Speechless

I’m Speechless

dg_hj25 Report

#24

Found This Random Ig Model And I'm Genuinely Terrified

Found This Random Ig Model And I'm Genuinely Terrified

Crazy_Slice Report

#26

When Your Head Is Thrice As Large As Your Thigh

When Your Head Is Thrice As Large As Your Thigh

reddit.com Report

#27

We’ve Got Another Member Of The Pea-Head Squad. His Head Compared To His Hands...i Can’t

We’ve Got Another Member Of The Pea-Head Squad. His Head Compared To His Hands...i Can’t

okay_but_what Report

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Kalikima
Community Member
Premium
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do people make their head smaller? What is supposed to be the attraction to that?

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#28

I Really Thought At First Glance This Was A Sims Freeplay Edit

I Really Thought At First Glance This Was A Sims Freeplay Edit

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G A
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone appears to have lost all touch with ŕeality

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#29

Photoshop Skills Level Above 1000

Photoshop Skills Level Above 1000

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Otto Katz
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's sad about this one is he's really a good looking guy! No reason to do whatever it is he did to that picture. instagram-...32537b.jpg instagram-vs-reality-best-pics-8-66a3636a8029c__700-66ad9ee32537b.jpg

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#30

She Claims Her Body Is “Natural” And All “Genetics”

She Claims Her Body Is “Natural” And All “Genetics”

wolfxiwtf Report

#31

Whitest Teeth In The West

Whitest Teeth In The West

thelostdemon Report

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Aviation Panda
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This reminds me of the friends episode where Ross gets his teeth over-whitened and tries to hide it on a date

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#34

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

#35

I Was Shopping Online When I Saw This Dress... And Those Shoulders

I Was Shopping Online When I Saw This Dress... And Those Shoulders

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#36

It's Like A Mask

It's Like A Mask

maxowl95 Report

#37

Someone’s Learning On Ms Paint

Someone’s Learning On Ms Paint

Captaincadet Report

#38

Skipped Leg Day, Forever

Skipped Leg Day, Forever

Douchecanoeistaken Report

#39

Holy Hand Difference, Batman

Holy Hand Difference, Batman

galwithgoats Report

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G A
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I thought it was only teenage boys who developed one arm bigger than the other?

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#40

The Caption Says It’s Not Photoshop, But... How?

The Caption Says It’s Not Photoshop, But... How?

bringthesnacks Report

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PeepPeep the duck
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think the ocean begs to differ 😂 it’s so fluffy around her perfectly round butt

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#41

Scarred Me A Little Bit, Not Gonna Lie

Scarred Me A Little Bit, Not Gonna Lie

Malow Report

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G A
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, if your going to edit your pics, at least make yourself look good....

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#42

Her Ig Profile Picture vs. A Screencap Of The TV Show She's On

Her Ig Profile Picture vs. A Screencap Of The TV Show She's On

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G A
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think anyone is going to try the old "she looks better in real life" comment on this one. Looks like she was slapped with a wet fish.

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#44

Ok These Are Getting Ridiculous

Ok These Are Getting Ridiculous

_IssaViolin_ Report

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

And when she sits around the house, she site AROUND the house.

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#49

Someone Call An Ambulance

Someone Call An Ambulance

velmazing44 Report

#50

Aging Really Shouldn’t Be Something We’re Ashamed Of

Aging Really Shouldn’t Be Something We’re Ashamed Of

reddit.com Report

Note: this post originally had 70 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

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