On Instagram, she demonstrates how without filters, influencers would be… unrecognizable

An obsession. Filters and editing applications have invaded social networks to the point of not knowing what (really) stars, influencers, and other virtual friends look like. They refine the silhouette, lift the buttocks, erase cellulite, wrinkles, acne, and stretch marks, and even more, to reach a fantasized ideal of beauty, contrary to the body positive movement which advocates acceptance. self. As summer approaches, we tell you everything about these applications that transform ordinary mortals into beauty queens.

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In 2019, Chinese influencer Your Highness Qiao Biluo becomes the laughingstock of the web as the filter she uses for her videos is deactivated on the social network Douyu. The one who pretended to be a young woman in her twenties, whose physique met in all respects the criteria of beauty desired by society, was in reality 58 years old (this is not, however, a defect) and absolutely nothing like its virtual twin. In France, it’s the show “And if we met? “, allowing virtual lovers to see each other for the first time, which caused a stir. In question ? The photos sent for weeks by the candidate Giulia to her dear and tender Pierre, a bit retouched shall we say, at the origin of this sentence breathed by the young man during the said meeting: “P *****, c ‘is hot “.

Filters and retouching applications, which are multiplying at breakneck speed, have the ability to transform a person, from head to toe. A real dictatorship of appearance has taken hold in recent years on social networks, to the point of speaking of “Snapchat dysmorphia”, dysmorphophobia being defined by the Larousse dictionary as an “exaggerated concern expressed by someone about the unsightly appearance of all or part of his body, whether this fear has an objective basis or not”. And it looks like a vicious circle, with a multiplication of complexes, especially among the youngest, which themselves lead to an increase in medical and cosmetic surgery procedures.

With summer approaching, therefore, it is not a question of talking about ‘summer body’, but of showing how much these filters can change the appearance of a person, whether their name is Kim Kardashian or Giulia, and impact self-esteem. Because if some are easily identifiable, others let a doubt intrude on the real or misleading nature of certain shots. Refining the silhouette, hiding cellulite and stretch marks, looking younger… the deception of filters is endless. Better to be wary of appearances.

Lose seven pounds in one click

If the Skinneepix application has counted in recent years as one of the ‘best’ for losing weight with a simple click (seven kilos more precisely) there are now dozens of them. Perfect Me is one of those programs that sculpt a silhouette without having to go through the sport box. Among its many features, it offers “a thin waist”, “long and beautiful legs”, but also “construct[re] abdominal muscles”. Just that. Same fight for RetouchMe, a variant, whose promise is unequivocal: “a unique body and face retouching service whose excellent rendering is of such high quality that no one will suspect that your photo has been retouched”. This is the problem, and even more so with the approach of the so-called swimsuit test which will push many women to compare themselves to these misleading clichés which abound on social networks.

For several months, voices have been raised on social networks to denounce the dictatorship of appearance induced by filters, and to appear natural. An approach followed by many celebrities, including Alicia Keys or Ashley Tisdale, and adopted by a host of users. But more than that, many Instagram accounts are now pointing the finger at these misleading filters, unmasking those who regularly use them, or revealing behind the scenes of a ‘perfect’ photo. This is what the journalist and content creator does Danae Mercer, whose account is full of ‘before/after’ shots to allow as many people as possible to become aware of the ‘power’ of these filters and applications. She does not stop there, since she also reveals the tricks used by influencers to give the illusion of a flat stomach, rounded buttocks, or a refined waist.

Other accounts, like @beauty.false for example, pin the retouched photos of celebrities or influencers who no longer hesitate to embellish themselves on social networks, or honor those who turn out to be authentic. We discover the dupes of a host of retouched personalities, hiding all of their complexes, and probably more, to the point that they all end up looking alike. Accounts that multiply to make it possible not to forget that social networks have (often) nothing to do with real life.