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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

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

I’d rather not. Better stay away from toxic emissions of burning plastic.

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DEW
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How does someone look at this and then put it out? With her blonde/white hair and white background she looks creepy. Those eyes and those teeth. She's going to know your face off.

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Mia C
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get this. At some point one has to look at this and think "this doesn't look right" before posting it

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Nonna_SoF
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fun fact: She can't use nail polish remover or she'll dissolve.

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

Relax. It’s “Minnie Headroom” – just another influencer on DicDoc. }B^>

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HappyShannon12
Community Member
5 days ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Isn't that a big ole wedding ring on her finger? She is on Tinder?

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Danish Susanne
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am the only one who found her teeth makes her look like she has a hare in her pedigree?

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Erick L.
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yikes, can't decide between the mouth and the eyes but something's wrong with this face.

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Jerome Lenovo
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

- We have found a witch may we burn her? - Burn her! - How do you know she is a witch? - She looks like one - Bring her forward - I am not a witch - But you are dressed as one - They dressed me up like this - We didn't! - And this isn't my nose it's a false one - Well? - Well, we did do the nose - The nose? - And the hat but she is a witch - Burn her! - Did you dress her up like this? - No - Yes - Yes, a bit she has got a wart - What makes you think she is a witch? - Well, she turned me into a newt - A newt? - I got better - Burn her anyway - Burn her!

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Shelley Dawson
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The thing is if the person who posted this thinks it's attractive and normal, what does she expect from responders.

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Bill Swallow
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

... Anyone else remember that Twilight Zone episode where the woman goes back to the department store to return a Thimble, only to find out she's really a mannequin who had been out on Holiday? She was more on the right side of the Uncanny Valley than this 'person'.

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Paul Brown
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry, but how can someone look at this and think to themselves, yeah, this looks awesome!

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David
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's like when you see a doll on the store shelf and the box says it is (famous person) and you stare at it like... "Well, I seen how they were TRYING to make it look like (famous person) but it looks more like an alien impersonating (famous person)"

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Major Harris
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"i'm a barbie girl, in a barbie world. life's fantastic when your plastic...."

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Granny's Thoughts
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who are these people that are so miserable with themselves they need to fake it, and so poorly? Sad.

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Whoopdeedoo
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Eye bleach or unsee juice? Your choice, both free of charge.

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Cat_Whisperer
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks at filter option and decides “I want to use all the things!” And then the internet sh!t its pants.

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Slap Shot
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This must be a joke. No one, I mean no one would think that they look good in this atrocious photo!

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Glen Ellyn
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah, sure. That's what she actually looks like. Yep. Uh huh. 🙄 Who does she think she's kidding? Oh, yeah. She's kidding only herself. 🤦🏻‍♀️

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Lena Flising
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My childhood Barbie in the 70's looked more life-like than that...

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JL
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Like Barbie had a kid with a store mannequin, then had its soul sucked out.

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Nina
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Unsee juice please! This is nightmare fuel 😵‍💫

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Sam Lin
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looks like some kind of poorly made counterfeit Barbie doll.🙃

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Petra Schaap
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

and to think she probably looks real cute on a normal photo...

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Julian
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm am thankful she managed to get that ring in the pic so I can concentrate on that.

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Dani M
Community Member
1 month ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dragon glass. We need an obsidian dagger for this one

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#2

Internal Organs? Never Heard Of 'Em

Internal Organs? Never Heard Of 'Em

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Nimitz
Community Member
1 month 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

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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)

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#5

Must Be Her Sister In The Car

Must Be Her Sister In The Car

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#6

Nearly Had A Heart Attack When I Opened Tinder This Morning

Nearly Had A Heart Attack When I Opened Tinder This Morning

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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

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#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

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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!

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Lotekguy
Community Member
1 month 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

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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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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

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#14

She Could Be An Olympic Swimmer With Those Flippers!

She Could Be An Olympic Swimmer With Those Flippers!

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G A
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1 month 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

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“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

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#18

I Finally Found One In The Wild

I Finally Found One In The Wild

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G A
Community Member
1 month 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

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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

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#23

I’m Speechless

I’m Speechless

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#24

Found This Random Ig Model And I'm Genuinely Terrified

Found This Random Ig Model And I'm Genuinely Terrified

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#26

When Your Head Is Thrice As Large As Your Thigh

When Your Head Is Thrice As Large As Your Thigh

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#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
1 month 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
1 month 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
1 month 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”

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#31

Whitest Teeth In The West

Whitest Teeth In The West

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Aviation Panda
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1 month 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

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#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

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#37

Someone’s Learning On Ms Paint

Someone’s Learning On Ms Paint

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#38

Skipped Leg Day, Forever

Skipped Leg Day, Forever

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#39

Holy Hand Difference, Batman

Holy Hand Difference, Batman

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G A
Community Member
1 month 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?

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PeepPeep the duck
Community Member
1 month 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

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G A
Community Member
1 month 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
1 month 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

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-
Community Member
1 month 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

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#50

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

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

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

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