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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

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

If she doesn't have a can opener she can use her chin.

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

Nonsense! That woman doesn't eat canned food! She lures children into her candy house and tries to cook them in the oven

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

Filter? That's more like ChatGPT: Imagine me 40 years younger, as an anime character.

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

To me, the woman in the picture to the right looks waayy better than that stoopid dollface on the left. Yes, aging is an issue for many of us. It changes our looks – and it’s this fool here who says “often times for the better”. Sorry kids, but who on E****h would w**t to date a piece of teenage gibberish? I surely won’t. Guess I am what they call a grumpy ol’ b**mer. Wrinkles are like your futile attempts at ironing out something *you* m*ll*n**ls consider bad. Lemme tell you something: it doesn’t fücking work that way. So there.

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

She's AC not bad looking, just never had the mindset that aging gracefully is actually respectable.

Dogcat vet (retired)
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Second pic looks a lot better though. First one looks like a cake decoration

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

At this point finding a random photo online would've been a better time investment

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

Ma'am, please put down the mouse and slowly step away from the Photoshops...

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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)

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!

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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

#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

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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

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

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#51

Found In The Wild On Instagram

Found In The Wild On Instagram

olivia-annabelle Report

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#53

Found One In The Wild - I Am Flabbergasted

Found One In The Wild - I Am Flabbergasted

chantoi Report

#54

When Your Eyes Are So Piercing, They Burn Holes In Your Hair

When Your Eyes Are So Piercing, They Burn Holes In Your Hair

reddit.com Report

#56

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

HVACery Report

#57

Totally Realistic Proportions

Totally Realistic Proportions

nunuvurbiznez Report

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

Why does his shirt look dirty? Why are his pants see-through? Is he scratching his butt or holding a tiny air-pump in his hand to inflate his pants with? Why is he sitting on air?

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#59

Noses Are Clearly Overrated...who Even Needs Them?

Noses Are Clearly Overrated...who Even Needs Them?

keyneem Report

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#60

The All New Curved Iphones

The All New Curved Iphones

reddit.com Report

#61

When Blurring Your Wrinkles, Don't Forget To Blur Your Reflection Too

When Blurring Your Wrinkles, Don't Forget To Blur Your Reflection Too

Magistraliter Report

#62

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

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

fatincomingvirus Report

#63

Yup Nothing To See Here

Yup Nothing To See Here

reddit.com Report

#64

Croatian Singer. Yes This Is The Same Perosn

Croatian Singer. Yes This Is The Same Perosn

reddit.com Report

#66

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

#67

Watch Me As I Stand On A Narrow Ledge With My Perfectly Clean Bike On A Wet Day

Watch Me As I Stand On A Narrow Ledge With My Perfectly Clean Bike On A Wet Day

Captaincadet Report

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

Looks like she's going to fall off that backdrop.....

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#68

Never Skips A Leg Day, Just Skips The Right Leg

Never Skips A Leg Day, Just Skips The Right Leg

_1000papercranes_ Report

#69

You Think She Might Look A Little Different Irl?

You Think She Might Look A Little Different Irl?

yoshiwot42 Report