If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably seen countless “perfect” pictures: flawless lashes, sculpted lips, and those picture-perfect backgrounds. Sure, sometimes they’re just a lucky shot, but more often than not, the photos are heavily edited…sometimes in ways that are a little…well, over the top.
Today, we dove into r/InstagramReality to bring you some of the best examples. This subreddit exposes the truth behind those too-good-to-be-true pics, showing how reality often doesn’t match the Instagram version. Keep scrolling, you might be surprised, amused, or even a little horrified.
#1 Nice Car And ..
No longer a human.
Image source: BrooklynFly
#2 She Claims She Has Good Genetics 🙄
Image source: VieleAud
#3 Girl There Ain’t No Way
Image source: travelator
As of October 2025, a staggering 6.04 billion people across the globe were online, that’s about 73 percent of the world’s population. Of those, 5.66 billion, or nearly 69 percent, were active on social media. Just imagine that: billions of people sharing, scrolling, liking, and commenting every single day. With so many people plugged in, the online world has become a massive stage where everyone wants to be seen, noticed, and remembered. Social media has turned into a mix of creativity, expression, and sometimes, pure chaos.
#4 Girl, That Filter Especially Those Edited On Lashes Got Me Wheezing 😭
I really don’t know if she famous or not as much as she likes to propound.
Image source: hornyspiritualist
#5 Woman In Her 40’s Desperately Trying To Be A Teenaged Boy
Image source: Hairy-Emu-7517
#6 Her Fans Will Say It’s The Lighting And Angles
Image source: Lenaiscool__
And with so many people posting, there’s no shortage of different types of users. Some share raw, unedited snapshots of their lives, while others prefer a touch of editing to “enhance” their posts. Then there are those who go full-on professional, crafting content like it’s straight out of a magazine. And of course, there are the over-the-top edits that make you do a double take, sometimes so absurd it’s hard not to call them out. The spectrum is endless, and it’s fascinating, messy, and often hilarious all at once.
#7 That Chin…
Image source: CreepazoidFitzsimons
#8 Ummmmmm
Image source: fiveton
#9 Reality Show Contestant Looks A Lil Different On Social Media
Image source: scarscar13
But with perfection seemingly expected online, how can anyone stay authentic while keeping up? To understand this better, we spoke with Ankita Chopra, a plus-size model with nearly 22,000 followers. She says, “Being authentically yourself is a choice. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.” Ankita believes that true authenticity comes from sharing the real moments, the struggles, and the joys, without bending yourself to someone else’s standards.
#10 This Is The Worst One Yet
Image source: puremalana
#11 Her Friend Uploaded The Pics Before She Got A Chance To Edit Them
I swear these are not two different people.
Image source: Puzzleheaded_Wait962
#12 Her Photo vs. Her Live
Image source: claireclairey
“When I first started posting, it wasn’t strangers, it was people close to me who told me not to share my real self. ‘Try losing some weight,’ they’d say. ‘Maybe edit your double chin…there are apps and filters.’ It hurt,” Ankita recalls. But instead of giving in to that pressure, she made a conscious decision to stay true to herself. She knew that her story mattered and that there were countless other women facing the same judgment online.
#13 What’s Going On With Her Teef
It’s a unrecognizable singer…
Image source: Darcys_Tears
#14 Posted A Day Apart🥺
Image source: ForsakenContest8398
#15 Can’t Take The Filters Outside
Image source: kangalbabe2
“I didn’t want to put out a false image of myself. I wanted to show the world who I really am. I know other women out there were facing similar ridicule, and I wanted to be a voice for them. It’s okay to take your time. It’s okay to enjoy life, to dance, to embrace yourself, even if you’ve gained a few kilos. Confidence doesn’t come from perfection; it comes from self-acceptance.”
#16 Come On…
Image source: mangomelliii
#17 I Finally Found One In The Wild😃
Image source: teabaobuin
#18 This Is Getting Out Of Control!!
Idky people think they’re tricking people into believing that the filters are really them. Especially on Facebook where the people you’re friends with are typically people you’ve met IRL. This girl made a new Facebook and all the pics posted are insanely filtered. I had to go to her old fb to find an unfiltered pic.
Image source: Lumpy_Square_2365
Ankita has always prioritized transparency with her audience, and she believes that’s the key to connection. “I share the good, the bad, and the in-between. I don’t try to hide anything or fit a mold. That honesty is what resonates with people: it’s real, it’s relatable, and it builds trust.”
#19 They Haven’t Aged A Bit In 4 Years!
Image source: NurseToasty
#20 This Makes Me So Sad, She’s So Pretty But I Don’t Know How Anyone Could Think This Is Real
Image source: heyladswhatsup
#21 The Fact That All 3 Of These Photos Are From The Same Post, Yet The Editing Is So Vastly Different
Image source: slm81
Beyond sharing images, she uses her platform to have meaningful conversations. “I discuss real issues that women like me face, from body image to mental health, to everyday struggles. Social media isn’t just about likes or followers, it’s about connection, understanding, and sometimes even giving someone the courage to be themselves.”
#22 Randomly Found On Facebook
Image source: cornflakegirl87
#23 What Is This???
Image source: Amazing-Brick-4101
#24 The Audacity
Image source: litrlym1ne
In conclusion, Ankita beautifully wraps up why authenticity matters: “The world doesn’t need another filtered, photoshopped image. It needs real people, real stories, and real moments. Being yourself online isn’t always easy, but it’s powerful. It’s inspiring. And ultimately, it’s freeing.” Her journey reminds us that social media doesn’t have to be a perfection contest: it can be a space for truth, creativity, and genuine connection.
#25 She Decided To Stop Japanese-Fishing
Image source: Ok-Breakfast7186
#26 All Her Photos Are Like This. She’s 57
Image source: BrownBobbies
#27 TikTok vs. Fan Photo
Image source: Amazing-Brick-4101
These posts really highlight just how far some people go when it comes to editing their photos. From exaggerated filters to heavily retouched features, it can be hard to tell what’s real anymore. While some edits are harmless fun, others can create unrealistic expectations for beauty. It’s a reminder to take social media with a grain of salt and not compare ourselves to what we see online. Authenticity often gets lost in the pursuit of perfection. What do you think: are these edits harmless, or a bit too much?
#28 She Is Notoriously Known For Editing Her Ig Photos. Pic On The Right Is Last Weekend, Pic On The Left Is What She Posted Today
Image source: dietlasagna33
#29 Somethings Off
Popped up in my instagram feed a few times and i decided to check out the account because something looks extremely off putting about this like the editing and some people actually believed it wasn’t edited..? I’m not sure if the likes are botted or not but for me i think what throws me off is how incredibly small the nose is in comparison to the eyes and the nose looks extremely edited, and her eyes look like she extended the sclera to make them look a lot larger.
Image source: Important_Sleep_911
#30 Finally Found An Unfiltered Photo Of Her
I always knew her photos were filtered af, and have been super curious to figure out what she looks like. Finally saw her in a tagged photo (last photo attached).
Image source: Ill-Pin4500
#31 The Filters Temporarily Gave Up
Image source: ResolutionIsAlan
#32 Genuinely Did Not Recognize Her In This Video Until Her Filtered TikTok Video Was Played Over Top
Just why? She’s already pretty af unfiltered :(
Image source: SqueakyCheeseCurds48
#33 Instagram vs. Dating Show
Image source: superginseng
#34 Billionaire Princess, Surprised She Hasn’t Been Featured Yet
Image source: OppositeFrequent4905
#35 Ma’am You Are 54, You Are Fooling No-One
Image source: infantile-eloquence
#36 Reality vs. Instagram
Image source: CheeseToTheMacc
#37 This Famous Influencer
Their video vs what they look like.
Image source: Amyfrye5555
#38 This Woman Is In Her 60s
Image source: Princess_Coldheart
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