Social media platforms like TikTok are spinning out trends faster than Beyoncé can churn out a surprise album. And sure, some of it is fun – who doesn’t love a good viral dance move? But there’s one trend that has experts and layman alike raising their eyebrows: the rise of beauty filters.
These beauty filters warp reality into a shimmering illusion that’s out of reach. With more people using platforms like TikTok to showcase their best selves, the boundary between actuality and digital deception is becoming dangerously blurry. Acne disappears, eyes become unnaturally large, and cheekbones ascend to impossible heights — all with the tap of a finger. Even if you’re not on TikTok, the ripple effect of these digital beauty standards is inescapable. And while the tech might be cool and it can feel fun and harmless to play around with them, these filters are silently rewriting our standards of beauty, impacting both our self-image and our mental health.
TikTok’s “Bold Glamour,” which can make anyone look like a Hollywood A-lister, is the latest and most realistic looking beauty filter we’ve seen yet, embodying the ever-widening chasm between online glamour and offline reality and sparking much-needed conversations about our perception of beauty and the potential fallout of these digitally modified standards.
Are We Buying into a Digital Illusion?
This “Bold Glamour” trend is selling us a one-way ticket to perfection, but it’s really just a hyper-real, digital mirage. The real kicker is that it’s subtly telling us that our unfiltered, real-world faces just don’t cut it. So, every time we slap on that filter, we might unknowingly be feeding this beast of unrealistic beauty expectations. And that, my friends, is a dangerous game to play.
Mental Health in the Filtered Age
We can’t sweep the psychological impact of these filters under the rug, either. Comparing our real, unfiltered selves to the high-def, glossy versions we see online can mess with our heads – especially for teenagers. It can lead to feelings of not being enough, or even trigger more serious issues like body dysmorphia. As Dr. Renee Engeln, professor of psychology at Northwestern University, told NBC News, “We’re going to see psychological consequences. It’s one thing to compare yourself to some famous, beautiful person — it’s another thing to compare yourself to an extra beautiful version of yourself that doesn’t exist in the world anywhere.”
Let’s Hear It for the Real Faces
Now, for some encouraging news. Despite the widespread use of these filters, more and more people are standing up and saying, “Hang on a minute, this isn’t right.” From everyday users to big-name influencers, there’s a rising wave of folks promoting a #nofilter ethos. The goal? To show off the real, natural beauty that lies beneath the digital façade – and to remind everyone that our worth isn’t tied to a perfect TikTok face.
Bridging the Digital-Reality Divide
Look, I’m not suggesting you should throw your phone into the nearest river. But let’s try to redefine our relationship with these filters. They’re fun tools for creativity, not our personal beauty yardsticks or measures of our worth. If we champion authenticity and self-love, we can start closing the gap between this digital illusion and reality, and create a healthier, more realistic beauty culture.
While filters like “Bold Glamour” can be a kick, adding a dash of digital sparkle, it’s important to remember they’re just that – a playful, creative tool. They can’t and shouldn’t measure your worth or define your beauty. Embracing our natural, unfiltered selves is not just a path to healthier self-esteem, it’s also a critical step towards reshaping beauty standards for the better.
So, let’s navigate this online world with a pinch of caution and a boatload of self-love. Sure, let’s enjoy these snazzy digital tools. But let’s not forget to celebrate our unfiltered selves, too. After all, our real-life beauty beats any filter, any day
Kae Burdo
Kae Burdo is a queer and poly Oklahoma-based freelance writer and digital marketing professional with over a decade of experience in alternative sexuality and relationship education and advocacy. Their passions include travel, sour beers, international politics, the vast range of human sexuality, cross-stitching, intersectional feminism, and technology and startups. Follow them on Twitter @kaeburdo.
