ADVERTISEMENT

“All that is gold does not glitter,”—J.R.R.Tolkien wrote in The Lord of the Rings. The opposite is also true: not everything that shines is gold. And it’s something that we should keep in mind in our modern world which is dominated by the internet and social media.

We’re constantly bombarded by seemingly ‘perfect’ photos of people on Instagram but a lot of the images are heavily photoshopped. The Instagram Reality subreddit is dedicated to collecting the most retouched IG photos and we’ve collected some of the freshest examples of what not to do to your pics. Scroll down, upvote your faves, and read on for our earlier in-depth interviews with the subreddit’s moderators.

When you’re done looking through this list and if you want to see more examples of mindblowing Instagram photoshops, check out Bored Panda's previous articles about the Instagram Reality subreddit right here, here, and here.

#1

I'm So Glad This Greek TV Host Has Her Own Personal Cloud That Follows Her Everywhere She Goes

I'm So Glad This Greek TV Host Has Her Own Personal Cloud That Follows Her Everywhere She Goes

mathaiaus Report

Add photo comments
POST
Marcellus the Third
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe the cloud is the actual star, and the fact that the girls all look similar is a coincidence? IDK don't watch Greek tv.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#3

Damn He's Ripped

Damn He's Ripped

Unknown_Gamer944 Report

Add photo comments
POST
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ripped all right. Ripped his arm straight out of a magazine page.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

The Instagram Reality moderators previously told Bored Panda that the coronavirus quarantine had slightly increased the subreddit’s membership but the amount of edited and photoshopped photos that people upload hasn’t decreased much during the pandemic.

The mods told Bored Panda that what people want to see are natural photos of influencers and celebrities, not done up and “edited to hell” images. “The influencer is going to realize that, I’m sure," the mods said about how they expected popular IG users to react to being stuck at home during the lockdowns which are now being eased or ended all over the world.

ADVERTISEMENT
#6

Found One In The Wild. I Bet She’s Never Late With Those Legs

Found One In The Wild. I Bet She’s Never Late With Those Legs

Naniibananii Report

According to the Instagram Reality team, “insecurity, envy, and money” are the forces driving some people to photoshop their pictures so heavily before uploading them on social media. That and wanting to avoid embarrassment because of real or imagined imperfections.

What can start out as a few simple edits or adding some minor filters can eventually lead to major photoshopping. And that creates a huge difference between how the person looks in real life and how they present themselves online.

To be fair, most of us try to show the best sides of ourselves to people. But there’s a rather obvious line between that and turning yourself into a completely different individual online.

#8

Such A Pretty Sunset :)

Such A Pretty Sunset :)

moclen Report

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

This Is... A Lot To Take In

This Is... A Lot To Take In

unknown Report

#11

Where's The Nose?

Where's The Nose?

matty111222 Report

#12

Well That's Something New

Well That's Something New

FaceInTheSpace Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lynn Donovan
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I used to admire this lifestyle. Beauty gurus in their big mansions, youtubers turned millionaires, "influencers" with their pretty hair and make-up always on point. And then I realized how tiresome their lives were. All the fakeness of it. I don't want to live a life where it takes me 20mn to post a photo so people I don't know and I don't care about click a button that magically makes me "worthy". The lack of self-esteem, the level of body dismorphia they suffer, the sadness they must feel every morning looking in the mirror and failing to see the true beauty in themselves. I'll pass, thanks. I left this world of consumerism and found myself a new dream: owning a piece of land to grow my own vegetable garden. It was truly a breath of fresh air.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

The Face Of A Ps3 Character

The Face Of A Ps3 Character

killerjags Report

#16

Turns Out Those Organs Did Exist After All

Turns Out Those Organs Did Exist After All

shiroyagisan Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#19

Post vs. Profile Picture.

Post vs. Profile Picture.

Elphaba78 Report

Add photo comments
POST
RaroaRaroa
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She looks so much better in reality. Do some people go for the extra large, square forehead look?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

This Fake Influencer Likes To Pretend She’s Rich, Constantly Posting Pictures Like That With Captions Like „short Trip To Clear My Mind“.

This Fake Influencer Likes To Pretend She’s Rich, Constantly Posting Pictures Like That With Captions Like „short Trip To Clear My Mind“.

Elisa-Allin-666 Report

#22

This Girl Has A Disney-Themed Account, For Her ‘Travels’... Most Of The Pics Are Like This

This Girl Has A Disney-Themed Account, For Her ‘Travels’... Most Of The Pics Are Like This

SofyB Report

#23

A$$ So Phat Even The Car Had To Make Space

A$$ So Phat Even The Car Had To Make Space

DomingoJoe Report

#24

Why Do Women Want To Look Like This??

Why Do Women Want To Look Like This??

unknown-persons Report

ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#25

Who Needs Organs Anyway?

Who Needs Organs Anyway?

JoSQ9725 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Tracey Hirt
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do people do this? Do they think anyone finds a 12-inch waist attractive?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

I Think We've All Wondered What She Really Looks Like

I Think We've All Wondered What She Really Looks Like

Ebby1369 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I have always wondered (I saw this person on another panda thread) she actually has really nice real life proportions it must be so hard for people with body dysmorphia and or low self esteem (I mean my self esteem isn't great as I'm a heavily scarred from various surgeries etc and im not exactly fit, but i can own it)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Profile Pic On Twitter vs. Still From Interview

Profile Pic On Twitter vs. Still From Interview

medianfold Report

#29

Such A Beautiful Home

Such A Beautiful Home

unknown Report

#30

This Can't Be Just "Angles"

This Can't Be Just "Angles"

oireachtas Report

Add photo comments
POST
EA
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Her eyes are at different levels! What on earth happened to the original photo

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#31

Literally A Different Person Every Single Photo

Literally A Different Person Every Single Photo

laisdavid Report

Add photo comments
POST
EA
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She’s paid all that money on plastic surgery, completely altering her body. And still not happy, otherwise why would you photoshop every picture to oblivion

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#32

Armpit? I Don’t Know Her

Armpit? I Don’t Know Her

eileen_likeacholo Report

Add photo comments
POST
Gilda
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I didn't know my armpits were a source of shame now they are coming for earlobes next

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#33

I’m Sorry But His Edited Nose On The Left Literally Looks Like It’s Going To Collapse

I’m Sorry But His Edited Nose On The Left Literally Looks Like It’s Going To Collapse

ulabadula Report

Add photo comments
POST
Val/Malibu/Dante/Bob
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, some peoples lips just kinda naturally part? Like mine?? So, i don't see the need for the hate??

Load More Replies...
Mad Mar
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Dude is so fake. I refuse to buy his products and anything with his name. Just normal people doing makeup is nice for normal people's faces. Not aliens or plastics. An SIstaaaaaa don't forget in real life ya gotta wash it off eventually. Someone will see what's hiding. This is insecurity and need for constant approval in all these pics.

Amy Pattie
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow he must be so good at makeup even his individual eyelashes are identical.

starhunter64
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

is he eating one of those fake edible lip candys? no? then what up with that?

Al Reilly
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Going after the Michael Jackson look on the nose I think!!

Jenifer Halpern
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Are there seriously people alive who do this!? You need to get a grip!

Sandra Gomez
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This guy creeps me out badly. I'll never buy or watch his garbage

Debster
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bleach and he'll end up like MJ and he was fukcing hot before his surgeries.

2BFunny
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They need to realize that they are far more stunning on the right, blessed with the perfect nose

Pseudo Puppy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is James Charles. A guy, who identifies as male. He is a makeup artist. He demonstrated his skills, by doing "how to do your own makeup" tutorials on youtube - which of course meant doing makeup on himself. As a result, he was the first male spokesperson for Covergirl. Just like men across many nationalities and cultures, including anglo-christian straight men in history.... he just happens to like wearing makeup. :)

Load More Replies...
Sandy Feuerbacher
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So.........THIS is a Male, Female? Bet " IT" doesn't EVEN KNOW!!!!! What a SAD, SAD WORLD IT'S BECOMING!!!!!!!!!

Blackheart
Community Member
4 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Hafida
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I respect each one, I only don’t understand why men wear make up.

Niko Alarcon
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some men just like to feel pretty... in my case its usually to get my eyelashes out of my eyes [mascara] and for cosplay.

Load More Replies...
Luisa Vasconcelos
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, who is this person ?!?!? I like his / her jaw. Lokks so androgynous that I don't even know if is a he or a she. Beautiful

Cathelijne van Weelden
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The nose is not photoshopped but this is make up and overlighting a picture... I think it is called contouring in the make up world

Jayne Kyra
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yea, no. This has been long since debunked to be mere "contour". Each and every one of his before and after images has been enhanced.

Load More Replies...
View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#34

I Posted The Left One Yesterday And People Were Not Believing That The Hair Don’t Belongs To Her

I Posted The Left One Yesterday And People Were Not Believing That The Hair Don’t Belongs To Her

halbmondkatze Report

Add photo comments
POST
.gas.
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I were not believing that Bored Panda don't thinks grammar check is important.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

Note: this post originally had 61 images. It’s been shortened to the top 34 images based on user votes.