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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

#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

Add photo comments
POST
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.

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

No, I know this woman. She looks exactly like this. I see her in the window of the local department store all the time.

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

Be careful, they might ask you for a donation to their mega church.

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

She has made herself look like she cut off the head of barbie and transplanted it onto her body! This horrible. All of her color has fallen from her face.

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

So far, he's happy with the beta version. Upgrade coming soon.

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

CEO of a sex puppet factory presenting their newest model.

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My!
Community Member
3 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This makes me think of Charlie Chaplin's Tramp in Modern Times. In that movie, I felt like the whiteface was too much. The Tramp interacted with too many people, and it just looked weird to me. This just looks weird in the same way.

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

It looks like she photoshopped a photoshop of someone else’s head on a differently photoshopped body.

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

Maybe he married a mannequin? Would love to see the unedited copy.

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

Hello, Barbie…….i was expecting a person…

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

Perfectly okay (well alright, for some folks). What’s wrong with an empty bucket? }B^>

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

If her face is now that color, what happened to her neck? It looks sort of normal skin color.

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

I wonder if he actually looks at these pictures and wonders "who the heck is that next to me?"

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

With AI, it's going to get worse. I'm tempted to set up a profile with deliberate but subtle AI errors and see if anyone notices. But it's unkind. There are genuine people out there. They don't deserve to be messed with.

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

I've seen pictures of those life sized silicone dolls that look more real

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

Did he marry a mannequin from "After Hours"? Dear god.

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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

#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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#16

My Friend Met This Girl And She Looks Nothing Like This

My Friend Met This Girl And She Looks Nothing Like This

ConversationMotor536 Report

#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

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

#20

No Face Texture

No Face Texture

OpnerOner Report

#21

That Is One Giant Hand

That Is One Giant Hand

Leathermos 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

#25

Do Male Ig Models Count?

Do Male Ig Models Count?

reddit.com 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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#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

Winston_Churchill Report

#29

Photoshop Skills Level Above 1000

Photoshop Skills Level Above 1000

reddit.com Report

#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

#32

Pants For Stick People

Pants For Stick People

NoCommunication5431 Report

#33

Jeebs

Jeebs

throwawarRAqwertyuio Report

#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

saithesti Report

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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

#40

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

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

bringthesnacks Report

#41

Scarred Me A Little Bit, Not Gonna Lie

Scarred Me A Little Bit, Not Gonna Lie

Malow Report

#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

reddit.com Report

#43

You Can Barely See Her Nose

You Can Barely See Her Nose

Matthiaszzz Report

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#44

Ok These Are Getting Ridiculous

Ok These Are Getting Ridiculous

_IssaViolin_ Report

#45

This Edit Seems Off

This Edit Seems Off

reddit.com Report

#46

This Guy's Instagram Is A Goldmine

This Guy's Instagram Is A Goldmine

reddit.com Report

#47

Econ 101

Econ 101

reddit.com Report

#48

Hi Humans

Hi Humans

ClinicalIllusionist Report

#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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#52

Intestines ? Never Heard Of Them

Intestines ? Never Heard Of Them

ccupcakesrfun Report

#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

#55

"Professional" Photoshoot, Very Odd

"Professional" Photoshoot, Very Odd

albino__bambino 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

#58

Same Person… Wow

Same Person… Wow

ThePandaShow1990 Report

#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

#65

She Can Touch The Sky With Those Legs

She Can Touch The Sky With Those Legs

GalacticKitty 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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#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

#70

Rib Removal? Nah, Photoshop

Rib Removal? Nah, Photoshop

reddit.com Report