Can using filters affect our mental health? Plus new beauty from Pat McGrath and Isamaya Ffrench
EPISODE 41
Are we doing too much when it comes to filters and other shape-shifting tools that help us change how we look to everyone else?
Facetune’s been around since 2013 and is probably the most popular app for changing your looks because it allows you to simply erase issues and features you don’t like, or enhance them. When checking out reviews in the app store I was actually surprised that a makeup artist said that she relied on it a lot to make her clients feel better about her posting them on her Instagram. I totally get it, but at the same time, as a photographer, I’m always concerned with showing my clients as themselves.
Yes I do a tiny bit of retouching if there’s active acne or my client’s gone for the wrong tone of foundation, because I’m not trying to make them look bad, but I’m nervous about anyone who asks me to remove wrinkles or perceived flaws. Mostly because, if you change how you look online, how will people react when they finally meet you in real life?
Also, if the face you’re putting out into the world is flaw-free and perfect, how do you really feel when you go to bed at night? When you’re in front of the mirror, washing the debris of the day away, it’s just you and that mirror. Are you talking to yourself with kindness and acceptance, or is your inner voice ridiculing you because you don’t look anything like that Instagram post you uploaded this morning?
I think what makes Instagram potentially more damaging is the fact that simply more people have Instagram around the world – it’s the second most popular app with around 50% of adults in the US using it on a daily basis. Within seconds of going into your Stories you can access thousands of filters to turn yourself into literally anyone, or anything.
Joe Rogan, AKA the richest podcaster on the planet, spoke on this recently when he shared an image that was supposedly of a teenaged girl, but was actually Joe himself. His daughter had taken a photograph of him and then with a few tweaks had turned him into someone much younger, prettier and a completely different sex.
Now, I’m definitely not voting for Joe Rogan when it comes to the understanding anything about women department – I’ve rolled my eyes countless times at his often ignorant comments both on his podcast and also during his commentary of women’s fights in UFC. I love watching women fight MMA but I’ve frequently heard Joe and his male colleagues commenting on the womens’ appearance, something they never do when commenting on men’s fights. So yeah, I definitely don’t rate Joe Rogan’s opinions on pretty much anything, but the fact that he’s so disturbed by how much filters can change us is probably a sign that perhaps, we’re going too far.
But, in the grand scheme of things, is it really a big deal? I ran a poll recently on the BeautyMe Instagram Stories and 84% of you said we’d gone too far, while the remaining 16% told me to chill. At the end of the day, it’s just a filter added to a photograph, although I’ve noticed more and more people use them to actually film themselves talking, moving etc while using a filter. I mean, surely it’s my prerogative if I want to look a bit brighter/more radiant if I’m doing a video at 8am?
An article that I read last week on Women’s Health argues that filters are affecting our mental health. In it, the writer, Kristina Rodulfo says that even though she loves her natural pout, once she starts scrolling through often-filtered faces she begins to make a checklist of things she could change about herself. She also points out that as everyone’s screen time has gone up, we’re all that much more susceptible to spiral out of control when it comes to unrealistic expectations of our lives, and our looks.
As we’re all spending more time scrolling, we are seeing more, but also being seen more. If we’re not prepping for the next Zoom, we’re FaceTiming with loved ones or posting a selfie, all of which can involve many of us doing some kind of tweaking to look ‘appropriate’.
This quote is from the article:
“There’s a well-established link between social-media usage and psychological concerns,” says Peace Amadi, PsyD, an associate psychology professor at Hope International University in California. “Instagram has been tied to anxiety and depressive symptoms, but also to concerns such as anxiety related to physical appearance, increased body dissatisfaction, and lower self-esteem.” And now that we’re spending more minutes on these platforms, “we can assume these concerns have not only remained but increased,” Amadi says.
What’s even more interesting are the stats that Facetune’s parent company, Lightricks, has released. Apparently, as social distancing began around the world, Facetune reported a usage increase of 20%, with people spending 25% more time on editing their pictures.
I can definitely see why there could be cause for concern and I think it’s about just being realistic and trying to be diligent when it comes to how we think about and talk to ourselves. Before I go, I wanted to share another Facetune review with you, which perhaps sums up where it could go:
The reviewer says: I’m eternally grateful for this app, I look like a complete stranger.
But, as Dr Amadi says: ‘nobody glows, sparkles or has perfect abs 24-7 in real life.’
Image via Hypebeast
Isamaya Ffrench x Byredo Colour
Isamaya Ffrench is known for her distinctly unconventional approach to makeup. She creates her own trends and pushes and blurs the boudnaries between what we accept as pretty and ugly, which is why she’s seen more as an artist that works with makeup, rather than ‘just’ a makeup artist. Ffrench first hinted about the collab back in October 2019, but this week saw Byredo sharing three otherworldly videos capturing conversations between Gorham and Ffrench. From what they’ve released so far, I think it’s going to be one of the most exciting and refreshing beauty launches in a while, thanks to the forward-hinking minds of Ffrench and Gorham.
Image via Supreme
Pat McGrath x Supreme
Well what else is there to say? If you’re a self-confessed beauty addict and you’re also aware of global fashion leaders, then you’re probably considering adding yourself to the list to purchase makeup queen Pat McGrath’s exclusive new shade, called SUPREME, for… Supreme! I’m kinda stuck on this one, mostly because I’ve always resented Supreme’s use, (or should I say, robbery?), of artist Barbara Kruger’s iconic work. The now legendary Supreme logo, featuring a rounded white font on a red background, was undoubtedly inspired by Kruger’s work from the 1980s. Kruger is known for her extremely dry and witty commentary on modern life – I Shop Therefore I Am is one of her creations as is Your Body is a Battle Ground. The common thread throughout Kruger’s work is the strong, almost headline-like white on red, very similar to what many ‘red top’ papers in the UK use on their covers.
With a 26 year history, this lipstick will be Supreme’s first beauty collaboration and is therefore destined to end up in the baskets of the dreaded re-sellers, who may well go on to sell it for ten times the amount it actually goes on sale for. I think working with Pat McGrath was a very intentional, well thought out move as, within the world of beauty, Pat’s line is one of the most hypebeast-worthy. Although the lipstick was rumoured to be on sale online August 20th , it’s still not available for purchase at patmcgrath.com as I write this. I’ll keep checking in! I definitely think this is the first of many for Supreme, as it tries to extend its reach into the beauty cupboards of the hypebeasts amongst us.
Links
Article on filters affecting our mental health on Women's Health
Isamaya Ffrench x Byredo Colour
As always thank you so much for listening; do please like, subscribe and review and feel free to let me know what you thought of this episode over on Instagram @beautymepodcast.