CAVEAT: As an experiment, I decided to upload (or download) a face app—Face App, in fact. I played around to give you some examples of what this post is about. I did not want to use the images from the people that I’ve seen on Social Media who change their images. For me, it isn’t ethical—and so, I used my face to prove my point. Read on and have a few laughs on me—okay?
I love being on Instagram. It’s downright fun. And, despite the continuous parade of political posts, I also enjoy Facebook. And lest we not forget YouTube because I have an absolute blast filming wig reviews on my Channel.
Thumbnail Image for my Color Comparison Video Review about Summer Heat by The Wig Company! No blurs. No filters. Just different lighting.
In fact, one of the reasons I love social media is that I can get a great look at products—both in photographs and videos. It’s a wonderful aspect of the medium to showcase real results or a real person.
Especially with the mature demographic? Or is it.
Now. As a genuinely curious nosey individual, I like to get a good look at how—let’s say a skincare product or a wig, works on the women showcasing these items and products. And, at times, I find many images and little videos a bit daunting.
I’ll tell you why.
It seems that filtering and blurring and enhancing images have become quite popular in influencer and reviewer lands. And, as an influencer of sorts, myself, I abhor the use of photo enhancements.
Please influencers–don’t piss on my leg and tell me it’s raining. And don’t morph your real images into a scary version of Influencer IT clowns! I cringed when I saw this photo of me. That smile is so freaky. But the best thing is my turkey neck is on full-display. Ya think people won’t notice that? I like the photo on the left better–especially since my little fang is peeking through!
Don’t get me wrong. I’ve changed saturation on clothing that I’m showcasing simply because the lighting at the time of photographing can be a bit naturally filtered—especially early in the morning when I’m snapping pics before leaving for work. I’ll use the sharpening effect to get a more defined result.
Here’s a photo I posted on Instagram to showcase the Lilly Pulitzer Wynne Maxi. I did use the saturation effect to show the true colors. But no filters!
Another photo using the saturation effect in order to get a better idea of the vibrant colors in the shorts and the top! No facial enhancements or filters!
But I never touch the face.
The face is sacred to me. Jowls. Lines. Freckles. Fish lips. Crossed eyes. Facial scars. It’s the mélange of imperfections that make me…. well, me! And yes. I’ll be honest. Aging can be daunting. Not gonna lie. I’ve said it before and will say it again. If I had the funds, I would find the best plastic surgeon, check myself into NY Hospital for Special Surgery and let the knife do the walking. Its more organic to have the skin pulled and lifted then sewn back vs. needles with synthetic fillers injected into the skin. Or at least that’s my humble opinion.
But let’s get back to the subject at hand. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to find truth in influencer advertising these days. A great skincare product—especially at our pro-age stage of aging, is a treasure. While we aren’t looking for a miracle to erase the effects of aging, we can all admit we’re looking for a product that’ll hydrate and plump up the skin a bit. Something that’ll work well either under makeup or alone. And we don’t need to alter our image to get the point across!
On the left, is an image of me that was taken exactly one year ago. Two days before Oona and Sam’s wedding. I was sitting on their front porch. No makeup. Only moisturizer. Oona and I were ready to get spray-tanned for the wedding. The photo on the left is one of my all-time favorites because it’s makeup free, I had a great sleep the night before, I was excited to be with my daughter and future son-in-law and I was happy. The image on the right. It’s downright creepy. I look about 14 years old. But the sad thing is that I’ve seen images of women on Social Media, in their 50’s and upwards that have morphed themselves into looking 14 and it is laughable and sad at the same time!
Same with makeup. We don’t want a foundation that will showcase every wrinkle and crevice. We want a lightweight foundation with a good amount of coverage to hide redness or age spots while not giving notice to said crevices.
Another delightfully creepy photo. The left-side photo is from Oona’s wedding day. It was taken after my makeup was applied. We went with a very natural look and the makeup artist was perfect in her application. Estetica Designs also gifted me with the Alden wig so it was a great fake head of hair atop a non-filtered, non-blurred, non-enhanced face. And check out my turkey neck! It’s epic! On the right is me with lighter skin and a darker neck. I look like a freak!
I also don’t want to look like a Bratz Doll either. And I don’t want to see anyone else looking like one!
I‘m sure you’ve seen the Bratz dolls.Huge lips. Non-existant nose. Big made up eyes and totally plastic! And feminists were offended by Barbie? I’ve got news for you….
Oh look! It’s me! With a Bratz make over! The nose couldn’t be made smaller but I DO look completely plastic! This is so shallow. And I, as a deeply shallow individual find THIS too shallow!
Believe me. It takes a while and a number of photos to come up with just the right one when showcasing products. But eventually you get that great shot and don’t need apps!
And although the image on the left, isn’t the most flattering one of me (but it’s better than my eighth-grade photo), I prefer it to the Bratz (oh God what an offensive name for a doll) look!
Is that too much to ask for? I think not.
The public ain’t stupid. These photos are of Jennifer Lopez. Jennie-From-the-Block will be 51 next week. She’s got a bangin’ body, she does. But that photo on the left is enhanced and played with. The photo on the right hasn’t been enhanced or photoshopped. And that’s a good thing because it shows her in that lighting that we all dread! She’s beautiful and gorgeous and she took a lot of criticism for that photo on the left!
And I cringe and shake my head in creepy disgust whenever I see a woman, of the mature demographic, who has lit-uh-ruhl-ee used either Photoshop or other “enhancement” technology to not only erase any semblance of aging—such as lines and loss of gravity, to turn herself into a blurred mirage of a modern-day version of Dicken’s Ghost of Christmas Past!
This image of The Ghost of Christmas Past from Muppets Christmas Carol looks more realistic than some of the blurred images I’ve seen on older influensers. I kid you not! One in particular blurs herself to the point I always think my screen is dirty!
Look. I have bad eyesight. Very bad eyesight. To the point that my husband is driving me to work and back these days due to my issues with light-sensitivity. Add to that, I’m working at a computer eight hours a day—in fluorescent lighting, which is horrific, only to take the occasional ladies-room break.
If you are of the age to remember this guy, Mr. Magoo, you might want to move to the side of the road when I’m driving. I’m Ms. Magoo!
I’m also wearing an eye patch on my bad eye—and so, I’m working with one good eye. Any images of an over-filtered face are freaking me out because I think “Is it my eyes, or does she appear that cloudy in life?”
I tell you, I’m a timeless beauty and with the eye patch and mask, I have a face that could stop a clock. But at least I’m not using a damned filter!!!
You are losing face with me. And that is not good. It is a learned disrespect that also brings a loss of trust. And a loss of trust is, quite possibly, one of the worst things that can happen.
I rest my case. Trust IS important!
And please—stop with the not-so-cutesy animal ears and faces. It’s fine for teens and kids but adults? No. Just. No.
Celebrities love doing this shit—and they look ridiculous.
Oh those Krazy Kardashians. It doesn’t matter WHO you are. These filters look ridiculous when anyone over 17 uses them!
Anyway, probably the single most insulting thing that happened to me while morphing various images of myself came in the form of making an attempt to enhance a photo of me from my eight-grade school portrait.
How ugly was it? Well, remember Pat from SNL? This was Pat’s reaction upon seeing my eighth-grade photo!
It is, hands down, one of the saddest, awkward, downright ugliest photos ever taken of a 12-year old girl and I still have PTSD over the fact my mother never made an attempt to try to get me to look pretty. So, I tried doing it myself.
I uploaded the pic to Face App. Low and behold the “male” icons showed up at the bottom of the app! Can you believe it? I was so ugly that Face App mistook me for a boy. I hope my mother is looking down from Heaven realizing how she traumatized me with cutting my hair so short and not trying to pluck my unibrow.
Look! Face App thought I was a boy! A BOY!! How freaking insulting and sad is that. And yes, I’m still traumatized!
Anyway, 53 years later , after altering my image, I finally look like a girl.
Quite possibly the ONLY altered image of my face I’ll ever be happy with. Mostly because I resemble, in an incredibly loose way, my comic book icon..
…Archie’s girlfriend, Veronica Lodge. I always wanted to look like this. Yeah. I was an odd kid!
All kidding aside. We need to be happy with who we are and what we look like. Yeah. I was ugly as fuck as a pre-teen. But you know what? I was a late bloomer. A very late bloomer. And perhaps that’s why I’m comfortable in my aging skin these days.
Seriously. You can take a great photo in good lighting and when you know your good angles. Nobody needs to enhance the bejesus out of their face. (except perhaps if they have a bad eighth-grade portrait) Our aging process is a privilege!
But—a high school classmate, Pete D’Alia said it all “…..eventually everyone you want in your life will see behind the curtain. I’ve made my peace with it.” Great words to remember!
Peace. Namaste. And be true to yourself. Don’t lose face. You are loved as you are!