What is the TikTok Beauty Filter?
The TikTok beauty filter causing a stir lately is called “Bold Glamour.” It is an ultra-realistic filter that convincingly alters facial features to create an exaggerated beauty look. The filter smooths skin, makes eyes look wider, thins the nose, and slims the face shape. It gives an airbrushed, edited effect that makes people look like CGI or cartoon characters.
The viral filter launched in early 2023 and immediately gained popularity among TikTok users. Many were amazed at how seamlessly it could transform their appearance with just the click of a button. Some have called it “beauty CGI for the masses” for making extensive facial alterations accessible to anyone on the platform.
While similar effects existed previously, the realism of the Bold Glamour filter is unprecedented. Computer vision technology analyzes facial features and makes precise, customized adjustments for each user. Many feel it sets unrealistic beauty standards that could negatively impact body image and self-esteem.
Accessing Filters on TikTok
TikTok makes it easy to find and apply filters to your videos right from the camera screen. Here are the steps to access TikTok’s large library of AR effects:
1. Open the TikTok app and tap on the camera icon to go to the camera screen where you record videos.
2. Before recording a video, swipe right on the camera screen. This will open up the “Effects” tab where all filters are located.
3. The first section will show you “Effects For You” which are filters TikTok recommends based on your previous usage and likes.
4. Scroll down further to browse trending filters as well as categories like “Beauty,” “Fun,” and others to find the perfect filter.
5. Tap on a filter to preview it. If you want to use it, tap the record button at the bottom to start capturing your video with the AR effect applied.
6. You can also tap “Favorites” at the top to access filters you have previously liked and saved.
Swiping right from the camera screen makes discovering and using the vast amount of TikTok filters incredibly easy. You can get creative and find the perfect visual effects to make your videos stand out.
Finding the Beauty Filter
The Beauty Filter on TikTok is located under the ‘Effects’ tab, not the ‘Lenses’ tab. This is an important distinction because lenses and effects are different features on TikTok.
Lenses are augmented reality filters that overlay graphics and animations onto your face or scene when using the front-facing camera. Popular examples of TikTok lenses include cat ears, freckles, and facial distortions.
Effects, on the other hand, apply more subtle changes to the look and feel of the entire video after it has been recorded. Effects adjust factors like saturation, contrast, and skin smoothing. The Beauty Filter is an effect that enhances the appearance of skin in a video by smoothing textures, adding subtle glow, and evening out skin tone.
To find the Beauty Filter on TikTok:
1. Open the TikTok app and record a new video (or select an already recorded video to edit).
2.Tap ‘Effects’ at the bottom of the screen (it looks like a magic wand icon).
3. Scroll through the effects until you find ‘Beauty’ – tap to apply it.
So in summary, remember that the viral Beauty Filter can be found under ‘Effects’, not ‘Lenses’. Checking the correct tab will save you time when trying to locate this popular TikTok beauty enhancing tool.
Using the Beauty Filter
Once you have accessed the Beauty Filter in the Effects menu, you can select it and see it applied to your face immediately. The default settings will smooth skin, enlarge eyes, trim jawline, and more. To customize it further:
Tap the magic wand icon on the bottom bar while previewing the filter. This will open options to adjust the filter strength and customize specific facial features. Use the sliders to increase or decrease the smoothness intensity, eye enlargement, jaw slimming, and other effects.
For more precision, tap “Adjust facial features” to access additional sliders for tweaking eye shape, nose width, face shape, lips, and more. Take your time playing with the adjustments until you achieve your desired enhanced yet natural look.
The TikTok Beauty Filter aims to subtly yet noticeably improve facial features. With full customization options, you can tailor the effects to suit your personal preferences and style.
Citations:
[How to Use the Beauty Filter on TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/discover/how-to-use-beauty-filter-tiktok?lang=en)
Beauty Filter Controversy
TikTok’s beauty filters have stirred up quite a bit of controversy recently. One of the most talked about is the “Bold Glamour” filter, which smooths skin, enlarges eyes, slims the face, and enhances facial features. According to ABC News, this filter alone has racked up over 680 million views on TikTok. However, many are concerned that these unrealistic beauty filters set unrealistic standards, negatively impacting self-esteem.
One of the main criticisms is that the beauty filters promote unrealistic, exaggerated beauty standards that no one can actually attain (https://medium.com/bitchy/tiktok-filter-bold-glamour-should-be-called-you-need-plastic-surgery-f769411566e1). The smoothed skin, enlarged eyes, sharp cheekbones, and slimmed face don’t reflect most people’s natural features. Some experts argue this can encourage filter dependency and low self-esteem, especially among impressionable young users. There are concerns these exaggerated effects condition TikTok users to see altered beauty as normal.
Others argue the controversy reflects broader societal beauty standards rather than being a problem inherent to TikTok. As BBC Future explains, “Like so much else in technology, beauty filters weren’t created in a cultural vacuum.” The article argues TikTok filters offer “a warped reflection of beauty ideals that already surround us daily” through ads, movies, etc (https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230301-the-problems-with-tiktoks-controversial-beauty-filters). So while the impacts on self-esteem are concerning, some say the discussion should focus more on how to change limiting societal beauty standards overall.
Pros of Beauty Filters
One of the main benefits of beauty filters is that they can help boost confidence and be entertaining for users. Filters that smooth skin, whiten teeth, brighten eyes, slim features, and more allow people to put their best face forward online. This instant transformation can make some feel more confident about posting selfies and engaging with the TikTok community (Source). Additionally, playing around with fun filters provides entertainment and creativity for users. AR filters like the ones on TikTok give people artistic license to transform their appearance with colorful makeup, accessories, animations and more. The wide array of beauty filters allows for self-expression and fun social sharing.
Cons of Beauty Filters
While beauty filters may seem fun and harmless on the surface, they can promote unrealistic and unhealthy beauty standards, especially among young people. A major downside of beauty filters is that they present an idealized version of beauty that does not exist in real life. By smoothing skin, enlarging eyes, slimming face shapes, and editing other facial features, beauty filters set unrealistic expectations of what people should look like (Source).
This can lead to lower self-esteem, negative body image, and increased appearance comparisons, particularly among teenagers and young adults who are heavy social media users. According to one study, teenagers who frequently used beauty filters experienced more concerns about their appearance than non-users (Source). Filters may also encourage an obsession with attaining physical “perfection” at the expense of authentic self-expression.
Rather than embracing natural features like wrinkles, pores, and blemishes as part of real beauty, beauty filters propagate the idea that retouched or edited photos are preferable. This prioritizes superficial appearance over inner qualities. While using filters can be fun, relying on them too heavily promotes filtered versions of ourselves over authentic connection.
Other Popular TikTok Filters
In addition to the Beauty filter, TikTok has many other fun and creative filters that have gone viral. Some other popular filters include the Puppy filter, Anime filter, and various Disney filters.
The Puppy filter adds cute puppy ears and a nose to your face, using AR technology. It’s a playful way to transform your look. The Anime filter gives you big sparkly anime eyes, rosy cheeks, and smooth skin. It’s popular for creating a kawaii Japanese animation aesthetic.
Disney filters allow users to transform themselves into Disney princesses like Belle, Jasmine, Ariel and more. These bring a touch of Disney magic to TikTok videos. There are also filters that add light sabers, wizard wands, and other fantasy elements.
To find other top trending filters, tap on the discover icon on TikTok and select “Effects.” This will showcase filters that are currently going viral. The app refreshes these regularly so new effects are always popping up. You can also search for specific themes like “anime” or “Disney” to find relevant filters.
Tips for Using TikTok Filters
Using filters effectively on TikTok requires some best practices. Paying attention to lighting, angles, and video editing can take your videos with filters to the next level.
Make sure you have good lighting when recording a video with a beauty filter. Having a bright, diffused light source will allow the filter to detect your facial features accurately. Avoid shadows or low light situations that can make the filter glitch or not work properly.
Try different angles when recording as well. A straight on, front facing camera angle works best for face filters. But you can get creative with side angles, having the camera below you, etc. Just be aware extreme closeups or far away shots may make the filter not work as well.
Do some post filtering editing to really make the video pop. Trim the video to highlight the best moments with the filter applied. Add music, stickers, transitions, or text to spice it up. Use editing tools to touch up the video quality and lighting.
Following these tips will level up any TikTok using a cool filter. Pay attention to lighting, angles, and editing for the best results.[1]
The Future of AR Filters
Augmented reality filters like the beauty filter on TikTok are likely to become even more advanced and realistic in the coming years as the technology develops further. According to a 2024 forecast on AR trends, the use of AR filters for business and utility purposes will grow, in addition to continued use for entertainment and social media1.
With improvements in AR technology, filters may utilize more advanced facial tracking and mapping to apply effects like makeup, hairstyles, and accessories in a more natural, seamless way. Realistic lighting and shadow effects could make the filters indistinguishable from reality. There are also possibilities for filters that modify voices, gestures, and environments.
As AR headsets and glasses become more widespread, AR filters will transition from being a purely mobile experience to being integrated into how we see the world around us. The technology may allow persistent filters that are always on, rather than having to open an app to use them. Some foresee AR filters being used together with AI to act as personalized beauty consultants and stylists2.
However, as these filters become more advanced, ethical concerns will need to be considered regarding misrepresentation, privacy, and mental health impacts. Overall, AR facial filters seem poised to expand beyond just novelties into utilities that may redefine social media and even how people perceive reality.