It is now widely acknowledged that Instagram photos aren't always what they seem, thanks to the available filters and editing programmes people turn to to preen themselves.
From programmes that can slim limbs, nip in waistlines, alter bust and booty size, as well as filters that smooth skin and remove blemishes - there are so many options out there that can alter your appearance to what you deem is 'perfection'.
Not to mention that many use clever lighting tricks or simply position clothing or the camera carefully to ensure they maximise what they have.
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And now, some social media users have called themselves out, by posting side by side snaps on Bored Panda, to show Instagram versus reality. In some cases, the altered or well angled photos look so unlike the original, it might as well be a different person.
One woman showed how by simply changing where she positioned the top of her leggings, she could make her waist and hips appear slimmer and smoother.
She looks fabulous in both snaps, IOO, but by sharing it, she's shown women that you can make yourself look different on social media and not to believe everything you see. We applaud the honesty.
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And it wasn't just this social media user that fessed up to her Instagram vs reality photos.
Another shared her filtered and unfiltered face that had been made up with glittery eyeshadow. She admitted that back in 2017 she'd heavily photoshop all images of her face, as she felt it was the only way to be accepted on Instagram. Now, she urges people to love themselves as they are.
She wasn't the only one to admit to her filtered made up images either, as another bared her real skin next to her filtered skin to dramatic effect.
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A fourth social media user wanted to prove how powerful a good pose was. One image shows her poised and sitting upright with her legs crossed and arms bent and pulled backwards, whilst the other shows her slumped, with legs and arms relaxed.
The two poses were made seconds apart, but the difference they make is astonishing, and just goes to show that whilst many look flawless on Instagram, they are just like everybody else in reality.
This woman is stunning in both photos, but it's refreshing to acknowledge how much difference a simple pose can have.
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Another poster explained that her friend, a model, posted "unflattering" pictures online of herself too to prove that she's not perfect and she doesn't care that people can see the real her.
The post on Bored Panda read: "My Friend Is Absolutely Stunning And Does Professional Modelling, But She Does Post Unflattering Photos To Prove That You Don't Have To Be Perfect To Be Beautiful And To Show That Every Body Has Flaws, Even If You Can't Usually Tell!".
Another poster explained that her friend, a model, posted "unflattering" pictures online of herself too to prove that she's not perfect and she doesn't care that people can see the real her.
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The post on Bored Panda read: "My Friend Is Absolutely Stunning And Does Professional Modelling, But She Does Post Unflattering Photos To Prove That You Don't Have To Be Perfect To Be Beautiful And To Show That Every Body Has Flaws, Even If You Can't Usually Tell!".
Going on to prove yet the same point, another Bored Panda poster showed off two snaps of her posed and un-posed with very different results.
The Instagram model said "you are more than just your body".
The photos serve as a valuable lesson to all that not only is no-one flaw-free, but also that looking perfect on Instagram won't change us in reality.
So remember, next time you put yourself down after viewing "perfect" social media snaps, they aren't always what they seem.
Featured Image Credit: PexelsTopics: Life News, wellbeing, Real