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“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

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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.

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    #3

    Damn He's Ripped

    Damn He's Ripped

    Unknown_Gamer944 Report

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    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.

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    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.

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    #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

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

    I guess she took this picture on Tatooine, that's why the two suns ...

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    #9

    This Is... A Lot To Take In

    This Is... A Lot To Take In

    unknown Report

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

    Omg. His hip has a boner. That’s a photoshop first

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    #10

    I Have No Idea What This Is...

    I Have No Idea What This Is...

    mimiczx 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

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    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.

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    #13

    She Looks Better Without It Though....

    She Looks Better Without It Though....

    elic11 Report

    #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

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    #19

    Post vs. Profile Picture.

    Post vs. Profile Picture.

    Elphaba78 Report

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    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?

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    #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

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    #25

    Who Needs Organs Anyway?

    Who Needs Organs Anyway?

    JoSQ9725 Report

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    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?

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

    Body dismorphia is a real thing (on a side note, I really don't know if I spelled dismorphia right, auto correct can't even find it)

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

    Yeah, no she doesn't :)) She's had a lot of surgery, granted. But she does not have that breast - waist - hip ratio. No one does, you physically can't unless you've been wearing a corset since you were 10 years old and all your internal organs have shifted position

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

    This reminds me of a documentary Thin about anorexia and bulimia, a sad reality

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

    And for lunch today, I had a pea. I'm stuffed. Will probably skip dinner!

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

    But...but...does she really think that ANYONE anywhere will believe she looks like this?

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

    Clearly there are some deepseated issues. How does she rationalize this?

    i0ana
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She is actually that skinny! Not a influencer,tho ☺

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

    People that live in this UNREALITY WORLD - have some MAJOR ISSUES!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

    You see this cream? Shrank my hips in seconds. Buy the hip shrinker now and use code 'Fake model' for 50% added to your price!

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

    200 years into the future giant aliens will abduct these women and use them as barbells. There are many similarities between the two after all.

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

    Can’t wait until she’s 50 and we see what photoshopping will do to that body.

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

    this is what makes little girls like me feel like they should starve themselves and feel like they arent enough. pls everybody show your true self its unhealthy!

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

    One bottle of vanishing cream 29.95 second one free with shipping and handling 22.95. Money back guarentee if they can still see you simply return wth 25,00 shipping charge,

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

    Especially if your trying to sell something and make us feel like s**t

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

    Trying to be as skinny as children is effed up. Trying to be as skinny as children to be attractive? Who are you trying to attract like that? It's the fetish of young young girls who happen to also have large chests and plump bottoms. It's weird when you think about it. Like the whole "baby woman" aesthetic that many people try to emulate from the example of Arianna Grande and Cheryl etc. It's obviously very pretty but it's so weird when you break it down. Large baby doll eyes, pure smooth baby soft skin, plump baby pouts, big baby heads on tiny little bodies. And yet these same women will be like "I'm a sexy boss woman". It's a strange vibe.

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

    No, that is Bianca Dragusanu. She has a lot of plastic surgeries and she also starves herself...

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

    In all honesty that's Bianca Dragusanu (google her) and she is plastic enough with a tiny waist anyway

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    #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

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    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)

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    #27

    Profile Pic On Twitter vs. Still From Interview

    Profile Pic On Twitter vs. Still From Interview

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    #28

    This "Makeup Artist" Advertising Her Work...

    This "Makeup Artist" Advertising Her Work...

    genericpurr3 Report

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    CatWoman312
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stop with the whitewashing! There’s so many beautiful women in the world yet they want to bleach their skin to look white. You’re beautiful just the way you are. Your skin is beautiful too. It’s sad they feel that they have to do that

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    #29

    Such A Beautiful Home

    Such A Beautiful Home

    unknown Report

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

    She looks like a stalker hovering outside someone's house.

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    #30

    This Can't Be Just "Angles"

    This Can't Be Just "Angles"

    oireachtas Report

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    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

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    #31

    Literally A Different Person Every Single Photo

    Literally A Different Person Every Single Photo

    laisdavid Report

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    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

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    #32

    Armpit? I Don’t Know Her

    Armpit? I Don’t Know Her

    eileen_likeacholo Report

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    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

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    #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

    #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

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    .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.

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    #35

    She Doesn't Even Look Like The Same Person

    She Doesn't Even Look Like The Same Person

    ManSpaniel_ Report

    #36

    The Model Who Denies Any Photoshop And The Case Of The Disappearing Glass Cutout!

    The Model Who Denies Any Photoshop And The Case Of The Disappearing Glass Cutout!

    real_yarrr_shug Report

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

    I'm Publishing A Story On Google Docs Called: "The Model That Denies Any Photoshop". Who Wants To Be In The Story?

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    #37

    Your Story vs. Your Friend's Story

    Your Story vs. Your Friend's Story

    frogcoffeegirl Report

    #38

    I Have Seen This Girl Here So Many Times And People Alway Wonder What She Looks Like Without The Makeup And Editing. Well, Here It Is

    I Have Seen This Girl Here So Many Times And People Alway Wonder What She Looks Like Without The Makeup And Editing. Well, Here It Is

    SunnyCarol Report

    #39

    You Can’t Even Tell

    You Can’t Even Tell

    sharkattacc Report

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    #40

    Found On Twitter... All The Replies Are Girls Saying They Wish They Looked Like Her

    Found On Twitter... All The Replies Are Girls Saying They Wish They Looked Like Her

    Iyndonbainesjohnson Report

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

    Probably she also wishes to look like that. That's facebook filter, I have it too. Ridiculous.

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    #41

    Instagram vs. Youtube Video

    Instagram vs. Youtube Video

    meowmix265 Report

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

    give me an F! "F!" give me an A! "A!" give me a K! "K!" give me an E! "E!" what's that spell?... FAKE!

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    #42

    It’s Like That Episode Of Friends When Ross Wears A Whitening Strip For Too Long Before His Date

    It’s Like That Episode Of Friends When Ross Wears A Whitening Strip For Too Long Before His Date

    KittyGurl212 Report

    #43

    It's Only "Makeup"

    It's Only "Makeup"

    PekingSaint Report

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

    and some tape.. and a lip plumper.. and your collar bone moved out of the way

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    #44

    Gasping For Air

    Gasping For Air

    magadget Report

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

    What is the point of working hard to be that fit and then alter your photos to look like c**p.

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    #45

    Ol' Peg Leg Just Having A Candid Moment While The Pavement Slips Into An Alternate Reality

    Ol' Peg Leg Just Having A Candid Moment While The Pavement Slips Into An Alternate Reality

    86486753o9 Report

    #46

    The “Reality” Pic’s Shadow Looks Suspicious

    The “Reality” Pic’s Shadow Looks Suspicious

    Gigoeee Report

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    #47

    Real Life vs. Instagram.. I Appreciate Her Leaving In The Dandruff Though

    Real Life vs. Instagram.. I Appreciate Her Leaving In The Dandruff Though

    strangeboutique Report

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

    Cool tattoo. She's got a great face, her eyes pop and her smile is genuine. Not sure why she's give that up.

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    #48

    How She Looks vs. What She Posts...bruh

    How She Looks vs. What She Posts...bruh

    unknown Report

    #49

    I Just Can’t Anymore

    I Just Can’t Anymore

    brownbeanjuice Report

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

    I wish people who stop writing half sentences like "I Just Can’t Anymore". That means absolutely nothing.

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    #50

    She Uses Stickers To Coverup The Mess Of Her Photoshopping Skills

    She Uses Stickers To Coverup The Mess Of Her Photoshopping Skills

    daddysgirl466 Report

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

    Why on earth do women think that a HUGE butt is attractive? I'm asking for real.

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    #51

    From A Shop On Instagram. Toe Knuckles Are Apperently Not Ideal

    From A Shop On Instagram. Toe Knuckles Are Apperently Not Ideal

    That1Chick_Tori Report

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

    Well, I can sympathise with that!! Stubbed my toe this morning and it's so swollen and shiny that it doesnt have an obvious knuckle either! 🦶😲🦶

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    #52

    A Certain Designer(70) Seem To Really Be Enjoying The Blur Tool!

    A Certain Designer(70) Seem To Really Be Enjoying The Blur Tool!

    DumplingWithLegs Report

    #53

    I’m Pretty Sure Your Mask Isn’t Supposed To Look Like That.

    I’m Pretty Sure Your Mask Isn’t Supposed To Look Like That.

    HoldParanoia Report

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    #54

    He Claims To Be One Of The Best Jocker Cosplays And He Has More Than 1k Followers On Instagram. The Tattoos... I Can't...

    He Claims To Be One Of The Best Jocker Cosplays And He Has More Than 1k Followers On Instagram. The Tattoos... I Can't...

    _korbi Report

    #55

    She Even Edits The Waist Of Her Own Mom On Mother's Day

    She Even Edits The Waist Of Her Own Mom On Mother's Day

    blipblopnotarobot Report

    #56

    What Are Skin Pores? What Are Armpits?

    What Are Skin Pores? What Are Armpits?

    SaliDay Report

    #57

    Remember That Girl A While Ago That Apparently Had A Rib Removed? Turns Out She Uses Filters As Well

    Remember That Girl A While Ago That Apparently Had A Rib Removed? Turns Out She Uses Filters As Well

    butterbly Report

    #58

    Well I Guess Having A Totally Different Person In Your Instagram Account Is Normal Today

    Well I Guess Having A Totally Different Person In Your Instagram Account Is Normal Today

    SlapThatArse Report

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    Fred and George Weasley
    Community Member
    4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this was meant to be for a post about how much instagram filters change your appearance, not idiotic fakery

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    #59

    Why Anyone Would Try To Sell A Product With Pics Like This Is Beyond Me

    Why Anyone Would Try To Sell A Product With Pics Like This Is Beyond Me

    nousernamegenerator Report

    #60

    What She Posted vs. A Video Screenshot

    What She Posted vs. A Video Screenshot

    MsLunaValentine Report

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    #61

    Is It Just Me Or Is The Background Fake?

    Is It Just Me Or Is The Background Fake?

    reddit.com Report

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

    Of all the places to photoshop yourself...a Sunglasses Hut?

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