40+ Influencers Who Went Above and Beyond in Photoshop, and Invented a Totally New Version of Themselves

A little photo editing can be fine. However, it’s important not to lose your true self and become someone you’re not. Some influencers and social media users end up doing just that! Here are a few examples…

Picture yourself scrolling through your Instagram feed when you suddenly come across a woman who looks really unusual! Yikes! You would be taken aback, right? It seems like having unrealistic body shapes online might be the new trend. Or maybe the latest fashion is wearing shoes that are bigger than your thighs!

The Less You Have, the Better

It can be fun to show off, but be careful not to make a fool of yourself. One influencer learned this the hard way when he posted on Snapchat that he would never sit in the economy section of an airplane, all while actually sitting in economy!

Economy Is Not for Me!

This funny situation reminds us to think before we post—especially if we want to avoid being called out by internet trolls!

This guy likely lives by the motto, “The more unrealistic, the better!” After all, who cares about body proportions these days? With Photoshop available, looking realistic doesn’t seem to matter anymore.

Something Seems Off

Isn’t being famous all about showcasing the best version of yourself, even if it’s edited? All jokes aside, it seems this guy took that idea a bit too far.

Forget all the graceful ballerinas you’ve seen before! This one will really surprise you. A side-by-side comparison shows the original photo posted by the photographer on Instagram next to the influencer’s edited version.

Not Your Average Ballerina!

It’s shocking to see the beauty and body expectations people set for themselves. Enough is enough! It’s time for everyone to start loving themselves for who they truly are!

There is nothing to be ashamed of wrinkles. After all, aging is a normal part of life. However, if you want to smooth out those wrinkles for a quick selfie, that’s okay too! We’re not here to judge.

Photoshop Your Reflection Too!

Just remember, if you choose to use Photoshop to remove your wrinkles, don’t forget about your reflection in the mirror—especially if you’re trying to promote an anti-wrinkle product!

We don’t know about you, but this clearly edited photo reminds us of the Friends episode, “The One With Ross’ Teeth.” In this episode, Ross tries to impress his date by whitening his teeth.

Blinding

Unfortunately, he leaves the whitening solution on for too long, turning his teeth an almost blinding white. They are so bright that he can’t even have a full conversation with his date until the lights are turned off. While many people want bright white teeth, we can guarantee that no one wants them to glow in the dark!

Many people want beautiful, bright eyes, and that doll-like look is popular. However, this woman took it a bit too far. Her edited photo is so extreme that it makes our eyes hurt from looking at it for too long.

Not Born This Way

She might have been inspired by Margaret Keane’s “Big Eyes” paintings, but the way she changed her features is so drastic that you have to double-check to see if you’re looking at a real person!

The world is beginning to realize the issues with fake promotions and heavily edited photos, making it the perfect time to appreciate our natural features and textures. Seeing flawless, smooth, hairless, and wrinkle-free skin all over the internet can be both misleading and exhausting.

Texture Is Beautiful!

These comparisons serve as a reminder to stop judging ourselves against unrealistic beauty standards and to embrace who we really are. Having textures is a part of being human, and it is something to celebrate.

These days, most of the photos we see on social media are edited so perfectly that it’s hard to know what’s real. Take this photo, for example.

Asia or Africa?

Apparently, adding animals into pictures has become a trend. Unfortunately, this woman couldn’t tell the difference between an African elephant and an Asian elephant. But honestly, that’s not the main issue. The real question is: why did she feel the need to Photoshop elephants into her photo?

Unrealistic beauty standards have reached a whole new level lately. It’s no longer just about having smooth skin or being thin; now, the trend is having no visible ribs at all. The idea is to shrink the waist to such an extreme that it would be impossible for organs to function properly.

Ribs Don’t Lie!

This is alarming, and we can’t support this harmful look becoming normalized. These kinds of standards are likely to affect young, impressionable minds, causing them to struggle with self-esteem and feel unhappy with their natural bodies.

Have you ever thought about how strange it would be to see a real-life Slenderman? Well, take a look at this photo — this guy’s limbs are so edited that you might forget he’s an actual person.

Stick Figures Deserve Clothes, Too!

It looks like even stick figures want to try out new pants! It really makes you wonder if a “real human” would want to buy these skinny jeans after seeing posts like this.

This picture might not be as extreme as some of the others, but it’s easy to spot for anyone who loves catching Photoshop mistakes. While many of us admire eyes that seem to look deep into your soul, it’s not as impressive when it turns into a Photoshop fail.

Piercing Eyes

All jokes aside, though, it would be cool if we could actually have eyes that could pierce through anything!

Here’s another example of someone who went a bit too far while editing her photo. We’re pretty sure the original selfie was just fine, but this edited version looks like an exorcised version of Elsa from Frozen.

Exorcised Elsa?!

Keep your kids away from this double-braided Elsa because it seems she couldn’t “let it go” with the Photoshop, ending up over-editing her face. On a positive note, the snowflakes and beanie are nice touches!

Edited images of celebrities are everywhere these days. However, it’s quite disheartening when the modifications are so drastic that the celebrity looks almost unrecognizable. It’s a reminder of how far the obsession with ‘perfection’ and unrealistic beauty standards can go.

Beauty Delusions

This pursuit of an impossible image not only sends out a harmful message but also adds unnecessary pressure on people, making them feel they need to meet these unattainable standards. This side-by-side comparison of a popular Chinese celebrity is a clear example of how much these edits can change a person’s appearance.

Imagine if you could change your face as easily as you choose your outfit each day. Would that be exciting, or would it take away what makes you unique?

Same Girl

Some people on social media are taking Photoshop to extreme and unusual levels. While many young girls try to look older, this particular woman has done the opposite, editing her pictures so much that she appears to be only 12 years old.

Prepare to be surprised by yet another example of a ‘rib hater.’ It looks like being anatomically unrealistic is becoming a common beauty standard. While some editing can be fine, it shouldn’t go so far that you lose your true self.

Someone Doesn’t Believe in Anatomy

It’s not right to reject the features you were born with! People should embrace who they are, regardless of their size or shape. Today, many influencers have taken photo editing to unhealthy extremes, which can even worsen issues for those struggling with body dysmorphia.

It’s difficult to see why some people would ruin their well-defined faces for no real reason. Instead of looking more attractive, this guy became a joke online. Even men aren’t safe from the harmful effects of unrealistic photo editing.

Hi There

He actually looks like a good-looking man without all those filters and strange changes. Seriously, why would anyone do that to themselves, especially on a dating app? It’s like he wanted to turn his Sims character into a real person.

Today’s beauty standards seem to accept just about anything, as long as you don’t look like a real person. It’s almost as if there’s a trend encouraging people to transform themselves into dolls. These two individuals, who probably played with Bratz dolls when they were younger, clearly made a pact to become versions of those dolls in real life.

Barbie & Ken

The photos they post are so heavily edited and blurred that they make you do a double-take. You can’t help but wonder if they can even move their faces at all. It’s as if they’ve undergone an intense round of Botox, leaving their expressions frozen and unnatural.

If you’ve ever thought about what Chester the Cheetah, the official mascot for Cheetos, might look like as a person, here’s a glimpse! In all honesty, this could have been a beautiful picture if the woman hadn’t edited it so much.

Chester, Is That You?

Everything in this photo is pushed to the extreme, from her exaggerated body features to her oversized eyes, and even the background looks overly enhanced. However, she did forget to apply fake spray tan to her right arm, which stands out.

We don’t know about you, but the moment we laid eyes on this photo, it instantly brought back memories of our childhood. Do you remember when our parents and relatives would play the classic game of “I’ve Got Your Nose”? It was always a funny moment that made us laugh and giggle. Well, it looks like someone played that game with this influencer when she was little and just never gave her nose back!

I’ve Got Your Nose!

Looking at her face, we can’t help but wonder if she can even smell anything. If she can’t smell, then how does she manage to taste anything? It’s quite puzzling! Perhaps she should consider finding a new nose somehow, maybe by using Photoshop or another editing tool.

Okay, let’s forget everything you learned in biology class. Apparently, ribs are no longer needed to protect your organs—at least according to some influencers. Who needs ribs, right? Joking aside, this is just another example of today’s unhealthy beauty standard: having the smallest waist possible.

Having Ribs Is So Last Year

It’s both sad and disturbing to see so many photos being edited to such an extreme just to fit into social media’s beauty ideals. This obsession with appearance is not only unrealistic but can also be harmful to people’s self-esteem and body image.

The obsession with unrealistically airbrushed skin and age-inappropriate features has really stopped being funny. This picture perfectly illustrates that trend! While we can’t completely blame influencers for this, as the world seems obsessed with such unrealistic—and often harmful—beauty standards, it’s still a troubling issue.

‘Half’-Hazard!

It’s disheartening to see how many people feel pressured to alter their appearances to fit these expectations. If you’re going to give in to peer pressure and share a photo like this online for everyone to judge, you might as well do it properly, Kimmy! After all, no one truly wants to see a half-airbrushed face.

We all know that using photo editing and Photoshop to enhance images for advertising and selling products is completely normal. However, we rarely hear about companies going so far as to increase a model’s bust size to sell padded bras or stretch legs to promote skinny jeans.

Mrs. Incredible, Anyone?

Take Ali Express, for example. This is an online retail service that sells denim skinny jeans on its website. For some reason, they decided it would be a good idea to stretch the model’s legs to the point that she started to resemble Mrs. Incredible from The Incredibles. This kind of extreme editing can be quite misleading and doesn’t reflect reality at all.

When it comes to Instagram, many users focus on editing their photos until they look perfect. Today, there are tools available for everything—from making your nose smaller to removing a double chin and even smoothing your skin until it looks completely flat. But what happens when you edit your photos too much?

Sketch Artist

This is a perfect example. What could have been a truly beautiful picture ended up looking more like a portrait. Seriously, this woman edited her face so much that the photo could easily be mistaken for a drawing. Good luck dealing with the comments, dear!

We shouldn’t judge people who edit their photos; it’s perfectly fine to do so. If reducing the size of your tummy by an inch or two helps boost your confidence, then go for it. A little touch-up could be as simple as adding some color to your lips or contouring your cheeks to create a more defined look.

Thumbs Up

Many people use the texture tool to fix uneven skin tones, and it’s easy to see why makeup techniques like highlighter and contouring are so popular. However, the edits this Instagrammer made with the texture tool might not have turned out the way she wanted.

Aging is a normal part of life, not a flaw, as scientists and activists around the world often say. However, many people don’t see it that way. Anxious middle-aged men and women spend thousands on anti-aging creams and serums, all in the hope of looking even a day younger.

Skin Vanishing Cream

To take advantage of this worry, companies create serums that claim to make you look 10 years younger. Since they can’t find an older person who looks like a 20-year-old after using these products (which isn’t surprising), they turn to editing tools. This often results in images that make these women look like plastic dolls instead of real people.

When someone learns a new skill, they often feel excited to share it with their friends—or even the whole internet. For example, if you’ve been trying out new eyeshadows and have mastered liquid eyeliner, you might think of yourself as the next big makeup artist. Or if you’ve been working out and seeing great results, you could start to feel like a fitness goddess.

You’re So Vain

However, while we completely respect this enthusiasm, we’re a bit confused about why this particular social media influencer decided to edit her face to remove wrinkles, while leaving the rest of her untouched. You are beautiful just the way you are, with or without wrinkles! It’s so important to embrace every part of yourself, as they all contribute to what makes you uniquely you!

What is our body mostly made of? Bones? Organs? Blood vessels? All of the above? These are essential parts of who we are. However, this Instagrammer seems to believe that organs shouldn’t matter at all.

Do You Even Need Organs?

It’s as if she thinks that working out for a day can magically shrink her stomach to the point where she looks completely unrecognizable.

Seriously, people? Have we really reached a point where we feel the need to edit our biceps? We can’t help but wonder if this influencer knows that you can still be a fitness role model even if your followers can’t see every muscle and vein. In fact, we’d actually prefer it that way. There’s really no need to Photoshop someone else’s arm onto your body just to promote a certain type of protein powder.

Bodybuilder Arm

If you’re going to edit your photos this much, at least be consistent! Otherwise, you’ll end up getting called out, just like this. Let’s hope she has learned her lesson since then! Embracing our true selves is much more powerful than trying to fit into a perfect image.

People often use background editors when they take a great picture of themselves, but the background doesn’t really fit. For example, you wouldn’t want people to focus on a dirty bench behind you that has been soiled by resting pigeons.

Trespassing Photobomb

This Instagrammer had the same idea. In her quest for the perfect background, she decided to Photoshop herself onto the hood of a Nissan 370Z. It’s certainly an interesting choice, to say the least!

For women, photo editing often means making their bust size larger or their waist smaller to fit certain beauty standards. But what about men? While many people believe that men don’t edit their pictures in the same way women do, this guy proved that assumption to be completely wrong.

Imposter Alert

He focused so much on enhancing his shoulder muscles and lats that he overlooked the fact that his back didn’t quite match the rest of his body. It’s a little awkward, but we still give him an A for effort!

Let’s be honest—this social media influencer looks stunning in both photos, whether she’s wearing makeup or not. However, it’s surprising to see just how many filters, editing tools, and makeup products she used to create the perfect Instagram selfie.

Instagram vs. Reality

At the end, what truly matters is that this young woman feels beautiful no matter what. Whether she has just rolled out of bed in the morning or has put on her glam for a night out, confidence is key. Looking at the smile in the far-right photo, it’s clear that she feels great about herself, and that’s all we really want to see!

One of the most concerning things is seeing just how much celebrities edit their photos. This can make their fans feel like they have to look that way to be considered beautiful. When we compare the original photo on the left to the edited version by Kim Kardashian on her Instagram account, the differences are striking.

Fake Surgery

It’s not just about her bust, her curves, or even the dress zipper (why did she feel the need to remove that?). Just look at how much her face has been altered; even her jawline appears completely different. If only celebrities like the Kardashian-Jenner family could embrace themselves for who they truly are, maybe their fans wouldn’t feel the pressure to change their own bodies so drastically.

It looks cute, right? It’s surprising to see how many people edit their faces to look like dolls. However, if this makes them feel confident and self-assured, then more power to them!

Asian Editing 101

This lovely woman shows us how she turned herself into a life-size doll with flawless, porcelain skin. We must admit, we’re actually quite impressed by her transformation!

Take a look at this woman—she’s absolutely beautiful and has amazing curves! Despite that, she still felt the need to edit and smooth out her shape. While there’s no judgment here—toward her or anyone else—we just wish she could see how stunning she already is without the edits.

Embrace All Your Curves

It’s hard to believe that people still look like their true selves these days. Social media has really changed our perception of what is considered acceptable, and it’s unfortunate to witness.

If you’ve been editing your pictures for as long as you can remember, that’s probably the only version your followers know. But when they see you in person, it might be a different story. You might need to take a shower, get a manicure, and fix up those eyebrows.

Find the Similarity

Will that be enough for TV, though? Remember, the camera used for live shows is a DSLR or mirrorless, not a beauty filter! So, when people see you on live TV the same day you posted that stunning Instagram photo, they might notice the differences. And that’s perfectly fine, but just be ready for that moment!

We absolutely love the holiday season, but we’re not too fond of editing photos to the point where someone looks like a doll. If this is her way of embracing the Christmas spirit, maybe she should try a more natural approach. Honestly, if we got a postcard like this, it might give us quite a shock!

Getting Festive

We absolutely love the holiday season, but we’re not too fond of editing photos to the point where someone looks like a doll. While we appreciate creativity, whatever look this woman was trying to achieve just doesn’t quite hit the mark for us.

This curvy influencer nearly pulled off her dramatic hourglass look, and she almost had us convinced. However, she made the mistake of posing in front of a reflective surface, and that was her downfall. Reflective surfaces, like mirrors and windows, give away the truth every time!

Nearly a Done Deal

While the obvious lesson here could be to embrace your natural look and avoid editing your body, we know that’s not something everyone is ready to do. So instead, if you’re going to use photo editing tools, it’s best to stay away from mirrors or reflective windows when taking pictures, especially at night.

Who else remembers playing The Sims? We sure do! It was so much fun creating characters and making them interact when we were younger. Even though that game is a bit old now, it feels like there’s a new version of “simulating” ourselves going around today.

Sims in Action

All you have to do is edit your photos so much that you end up looking almost like a character from a video game—totally unrecognizable and far from reality. We hope you catch our sarcasm because, honestly, this girl’s edited look is more unsettling than impressive.

People often use filters and edit their photos to make their eyes look brighter, and we’ve all gotten used to seeing that on social media. But what’s harder to accept is when someone outright lies in their posts, like in this one.

Gone Too Far

The car shown isn’t a Lamborghini, and that’s completely okay—most of us don’t have the luxury of driving high-end sports cars. But you don’t need to lie about it. It’s better to be honest and appreciate the car you actually own, even if it’s not extravagant. At the end of the day, as long as it gets you from place to place, that’s what really counts.

There’s nothing more disappointing than seeing a delicious meal on the menu, ordering it, and then receiving something that looks completely different when it arrives at your table. The feeling is same when you come across someone online whose appearance doesn’t match their photos.

April Fools!

While it’s natural to want to look good, there’s a limit to how much you should change your image. If you edit your photos to the point where you don’t even look like yourself, you’re only deceiving yourself in the end. It’s far better to embrace your true self!

Who doesn’t want to have abs? They’re a clear sign that someone is in great shape. However, the truth is that not everyone can easily achieve that look because getting abs requires a lot of hard work and commitment.

Rock On!

In today’s world, where we often seek quick results, it’s tempting to look for the fastest way to get what we want. But adding fake, rock-hard abs to your photos is not the right answer! It’s much better to focus on healthy habits and be proud of the progress you make over time.

J-Lo is a stunning and talent woman, but like everyone, she is only human. We all have our flaws, and as we age, our faces begin to reflect our life experiences and the passage of time.

Own Your Age

Therefore, we believe it would be better for her to embrace these changes instead of trying to edit herself to look perfect. After all, perfection isn’t realistic, and celebrating our imperfections can inspire confidence in others.

In this photo, the only ones that truly look real are the adorable little dogs. As for the two men, it’s hard to tell who has been edited more. Everything from the tan on the man on the left to their eyebrows and eyes seems like it was worked on by someone who doesn’t have much experience with Photoshop.

One Big Edited Family

If that’s the case, they definitely deserve a refund because they both end up looking a bit ridiculous. Meanwhile, those poor dogs are showing the same confused expressions we had when we first saw this picture!

We understand that these days are hard and that travel restrictions are really affecting many of us. Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures, so it’s understandable that not being able to do it freely has been challenging.

Take Me to Rome

Because of this, many people are sharing throwback photos from happier times. We totally get this trend—who wouldn’t want to remember those joyful moments? However, we find it puzzling when people choose to Photoshop themselves into places they’ve never actually visited.

Social media has changed how people view brands, making them more important than ever. This focus isn’t limited to just high-end fashion brands; it also includes popular and trendy companies.

Millennial Culture

When it comes to coffee, Starbucks is definitely the most famous coffee shop. We understand why people want to share photos of their daily orders from this brand. However, what we don’t understand is why some people seem to spend so much time doing this. Isn’t there something better they could be doing with their time?

At this point, it’s clear that men also use Photoshop to feel better about themselves. Often, this means making their muscles look bigger to impress friends, both male and female.

Muscle to the Power Infinity

Some guys might claim they’ve never skipped a gym day to explain their overly muscular photos. In this case, it seems like this man couldn’t handle the fact that his friend, who has become his rival, had bigger arms. So, he decided to pump up his biceps as much as possible!

When you’re out on a date, taking romantic selfies is a big part of the evening. This couple managed to snap some lovely moments together, but when it was time to share the photos online, they posted them at different times.

Five-Year Challenge

The guy’s picture on the far left is the original, and it looks really great. However, the woman’s version on the far right has been edited quite a bit. While she still resembles herself, the changes are noticeable and a bit excessive.

You’ve spent hours watching tutorials and applying layer after layer of makeup, but you still can’t get that natural skin look. Thankfully, there’s technology available to help you create the image you want.

Faux Kate Olsen

This woman seems to be a big fan of Kate Olsen because she looks quite similar to her. From her eyes and skin tone to her nose and even the t-shirt, everything appears heavily edited when you look at the comparison photo on the far left. It makes us wonder if she can even recognize herself!

If you think this photo is just like the others on this list that have been photoshopped, you’re wrong. Yes, this woman’s waist, tummy, and curves have been edited, but that’s not what catches our attention.

Thumb War

What really stands out are the shapes of her thumbs. They don’t look like twins or even sisters; they seem more like distant relatives! It makes us curious about whose thumb she borrowed so unfairly.

As we reach the end, it’s a good moment to take a look at the most edited photo of the year. This woman’s Instagram is filled with stunning images that draw in her audience, thanks to her bright blue eyes and neat ponytail.

Edit of the Year

However, in the picture on the far right, it seems like she might have woken up on the wrong side of the bed. Perhaps she forgot to smooth out her cheeks and jawline this time. It shows that there’s only so much Photoshop can really do in real life.