TikTok is a popular short-form video app with over 1 billion monthly active users. It allows users to create and share 15 to 60 second videos, often set to music. The app first launched in 2016 but saw meteoric growth in 2018 and 2019. Today, TikTok is especially popular among Gen Z, with over 60% of its users between the ages of 10 and 29.
TikTok offers a variety of filters and effects that allow users to enhance or alter their appearance in videos. In recent years, certain filters have become wildly popular for making users appear more conventionally attractive. These beauty filters smooth skin, enlarge eyes, slim face shape, and enhance other facial features. As these filters have taken off in popularity, some have raised concerns about promoting unrealistic beauty standards, especially among young users. However, many defend them as simply a fun tool for creativity and expression.
One filter, in particular, that has been heavily discussed is the TikTok “hot” filter. This seemingly subtle filter evens skin tone, makes eyes brighter, and gives an overall glow-up effect. In this article, we’ll explore the origins, impacts, and controversies around this popular TikTok beauty filter.
What is the TikTok Filter that Makes You Look Hot?
The TikTok filter that is most well-known for making users look more attractive is called “Bold Glamour”. This beauty filter smooths skin, makes eyes look bigger and brighter, enhances cheekbones, and plumps lips. It gives an airbrushed, doll-like effect that many consider to be flattering.
Bold Glamour slims the face shape, sharpens jawlines, whitens teeth, and brightens under eyes. It evens out skin texture, minimizing the appearance of pores and blemishes. The filter also adds a subtle glow or shimmery effect to the complexion. Dramatic eyelash enhancement is another key feature of Bold Glamour.
Some examples of how Bold Glamour enhances facial features include making eyes appear larger with an eyeliner-like effect, boosting the color and saturation of the lips to make them look fuller, lifting cheeks for a contoured look, and smoothing the appearance of the nose.
History of the Filter
The filter on TikTok that makes users appear more conventionally attractive first appeared in 2019. It was officially called the “Beauty” filter and used facial tracking technology to smooth skin, brighten eyes, accentuate cheekbones, and thin jawlines. The technology behind this and similar filters was developed by FaceTune, an Israeli company that creates photo and video editing apps (https://www.wired.com/story/augmented-reality-beauty-filter-tiktok-instagram/).
Since its introduction, the beauty filter has been updated and refined by TikTok. In 2021, an enhanced version called “Enhance” was released, providing even more dramatic modifications to facial features. TikTok also began testing a custom version in 2021 that allowed users to control the intensity of the effects (https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230301-the-problems-with-tiktoks-controversial-beauty-filters). Despite some backlash and concerns about promoting unrealistic beauty standards, especially among young users, the beauty filter has remained one of TikTok’s most popular effects.
How the Filter Works
The filter that makes you look hot on TikTok works using advanced face mapping technology. It analyzes the geometry and landmarks of a person’s face, and then enhances and modifies facial features in real-time based on ideal proportions and symmetry 1.
Specifically, the filter maps key points on the face such as eyebrows, eyes, nose, lips, and facial outline. It then references an internal database of faces considered conventionally attractive to make subtle alterations to the symmetry, proportions, and textures of the mapped face 2. This can include enhancing cheekbones, smoothing skin, whitening teeth, enlarging eyes, plumping lips, and sharpening jawlines or facial contours.
Popularity and Impact
Beauty filters have risen in popularity on TikTok thanks to the app’s filters like Bold Glamour that can smooth skin, enlarge lips, and refine facial features. According to research from BBC Future, TikTok’s beauty filters have been used over 12 billion times. These filters help some users feel more confident about their appearance online as evidenced by user comments like “This filter has honestly made me so much more comfortable on camera”.
However, the wide use of beauty filters has also drawn criticism for promoting unrealistic, Eurocentric beauty standards. Critics argue that filters which lighten skin tone, shrink nose size, and enlarge eyes encourage narrow beauty ideals that most cannot attain naturally. This sets up unrealistic expectations, especially among impressionable young users. A Washington Post analysis found that 80% of popular TikTok videos relied on beauty filters, raising concerns about social media’s impact on body image and self-esteem.
TikTok defends its filters as a creative tool for users to express themselves online, while acknowledging the valid discussion about their societal impact. But without proper context, these filters risk glorifying harmful beauty ideals.
Other Similar Filters
The beauty filter that makes you look hot on TikTok is far from the only filter that enhances appearance. Here are some other popular beautifying filters on TikTok and how they compare:
The Bold Glamour Filter is similar to the hot filter with its smoothing and brightening effects, but also adds a glowy, blurred look. It is one of the most popular beauty filters on TikTok. However, some find it gives an unrealistic or “plastic” effect compared to the more subtle hot filter. https://www.tiktok.com/@tiktok?lang=en
The VCSO Girl Filter gives a brightened complexion while also subtly enhancing eyes, lips, and face shape. It’s more focused on skin smoothing compared to the hot filter. Some prefer it for selfies over the hot filter, but it doesn’t have as dramatic of results. https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7028911036183639558
Filters like Sweetface and Angelface give an airbrushed look by smoothing skin. They don’t have as much of a reshaping effect as the hot filter. The results are more subtle and natural. These are good alternatives if the hot filter edits too much.
Overall, while many filters enhance beauty in similar ways, the TikTok hot filter stands out for striking a balance between transformative and natural. Its subtle enhancements make it a go-to for many users.
How to Use the Filter
Here are step-by-step instructions for using the beauty filter on TikTok:
1. Open the TikTok app and go to the camera to create a new video. Tap the “Effects” button in the bottom left corner.
2. Scroll through the available effects until you find the “Beauty” filter. It will have an icon that looks like a makeup brush.
3. Tap on “Beauty” to select the filter. You’ll see the effect applied in real time as you film your video.
4. Use the slider at the bottom to adjust the strength of the filter from 0-100. Start low and increase gradually for a natural look.
5. Once you have the perfect amount of beauty filter applied, start recording your video as usual. Make sure you are in a well-lit area and film yourself from flattering angles.
6. After finishing your recording, you can edit the video, add captions, sounds, etc. before posting or sharing.
With the right technique, the TikTok beauty filter can enhance your natural features and make you look your best on camera. But don’t overdo it – a subtle touch works better than maxing out the filter!
Criticisms and Controversies
Beauty filters on social media platforms like TikTok have faced criticism for promoting unrealistic beauty expectations, especially among teenagers. According to the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), 72% of their members reported seeing patients who want procedures to improve their selfies and social media posts.
Repeated use of beauty filters can negatively impact mental health and self-esteem. A 2021 study published in Body Image journal found that filters made people feel better about their appearance in the moment, but worse over time. Teenage girls especially compare their unfiltered face to the edited versions, often feeling inadequate or dissatisfied with their natural looks (Source: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-clarity/202303/can-beauty-filters-damage-your-self-esteem).
Experts warn that beauty filters can be a gateway to more permanent modifications like plastic surgery. “Filtered selfies especially can set up unrealistic expectations, and we know that when we expect something to look a certain way and it doesn’t match that, it leads to dissatisfaction,” says Dr. Patrick Byrne (Source: https://www.pressherald.com/2023/08/15/commentary-beware-the-ugly-side-effects-of-social-medias-beauty-filters/).
While makeup and cosmetic procedures preceded social media, the constant curation of appearance online raises new mental health concerns. Experts advise teaching media literacy and self-confidence skills to counteract potential damage from filters.
Alternatives for Confidence
While the TikTok filter that makes you look hot may seem like an easy way to boost confidence, there are healthier, more sustainable alternatives to build real self-assurance.
Focusing on inner qualities like kindness, wisdom, and courage can help develop genuine self-worth beyond physical appearance. Building supportive relationships and pursuing passions and purpose are also great ways to cultivate self-confidence.
For those seeking external changes, makeup skills and style can be modified to highlight one’s best features. Learning professional techniques for flattering makeup, hairstyles, and clothing choices can help anyone look their best.
Most importantly, self-acceptance and self-care are key for healthy self-esteem. Treat your body with respect, tune out unrealistic media messages, and surround yourself with positive people. Self-confidence shines brightest when it comes from within.
Conclusion
The beautification filter on TikTok gained popularity for its ability to subtly enhance facial features and create a flattering look. However, the risks of social media filters promoting unrealistic beauty standards, especially for young people, raise important questions. While wanting to look and feel our best is natural, authenticity and self-acceptance are also vital for well-being.
Rather than relying on filters, being our true and genuine selves allows us to build meaningful connections. Our uniqueness makes us who we are. Though the beautification filter may offer a quick confidence boost, inner confidence from self-care, interests, values, and relationships sustains us far longer. Appreciating our own and others’ authentic selves lets our inner light shine through.
