Snapchat filters have become incredibly popular over the past few years. There are filters that add dog ears, change your eye color, make your face look older or younger, and much more. With so many options, it can be hard to choose which filter actually makes you look the best!
What are Snapchat filters?
Snapchat filters are special effects and animations that can be added to photos or videos taken through the Snapchat app. The filters alter the look of a person’s face with things like animal features, hats, flowers, and more. Some filters warp a person’s facial features to make them look silly, while others add sparkles and rainbows for a fun magical effect.
There are several categories of Snapchat filters:
- Face filters – These overlay animated accessories and characters onto a person’s face, like dog or cat ears.
- Lens filters – These modify a person’s facial features, like enlarging the eyes or mouth.
- Geofilters – These show the name and location of where a Snap was taken.
- Temperature filters – These overlay weather effects like snow or rain.
- Time filters – These display the current time.
Snapchat rolls out new filters all the time based on holidays, events, seasons, and more. The variety helps keep Snapchat interesting for users looking to enhance their Snaps in fun creative ways.
How do Snapchat filters work?
Snapchat filters use advanced image recognition technology powered by machine learning. When you take a photo or video with a filter applied, Snapchat’s servers analyze the images and identify key facial features like your eyes, nose, and mouth. The filter effect is then overlaid onto your face, conforming and adjusting to your facial proportions and positions.
Snapchat’s technology even tracks motions like opening your mouth or raising your eyebrows. The filters animate and warp the imagery in real-time based on your expressions and movements, creating very realistic effects. All this processing happens very quickly, allowing the filters to work seamlessly in video Snaps.
Some of the newer 3D filters utilize augmented reality technology. These filters integrate three-dimensional objects and scenes into your surroundings, rather than just overlaying 2D effects onto your face. The 3D Bitmoji filters are a great example, inserting an animated digital avatar into the Snaps you take.
Which types of filters are most popular?
Here are some of the most popular and commonly used Snapchat filter categories:
- Face filters – The classic dog or cat face filters remain incredibly popular. Other favorites include ones that add eyeglasses, mustaches, and wacky mouth effects.
- Beauty filters – Filters that smooth skin, brighten eyes, and contour facial features are very commonly used, especially among female Snapchatters.
- Geofilters – People love decorating their Snaps with artistic filters customized to their location.
- Lens filters – Warping filters like Face Swap and Baby Face make for fun novelty Snaps.
- Bitmoji filters – 3D Bitmoji avatars allow users to insert their virtual persona into Snaps.
While silly or funny filters are great for casual Snaps, natural beauty filters tend to be the most universally flattering when you want to put your best face forward.
Which filters actually make you look better?
With all the filter options on Snapchat, which ones really make you look your very best? Here are some flattering filters to try that enhance natural beauty:
Natural beauty filters
- Flowers – This subtle flower crown gives an ethereal, romantic vibe.
- Butterfly – Fluttering wings flutter around your face, drawing attention to your eyes.
- Love Wins – The rainbow glitter hearts brighten your expression with color.
- Rose – 3D roses add a soft flush and natural glow.
Makeup and lip filters
- Au Naturel – Applies a touch of flattering makeup for a polished look.
- Brunch Out – Dramatic lashes and defined brows frame your features.
- Matte Lip – Go bold with a colored matte lipstick.
- Glam Girl – Get all dolled up with shimmering eye makeup.
Beauty effect filters
- Central Park Breeze – Plumping effect creates a youthful glow.
- Hollywood Glam – Evens tone and adds defined structure.
- Timeless Beauty – Subtly brightens and highlights.
- Sweet Face – Soft lens flare creates delicate luminosity.
How to take flattering selfies
Aside from using filters, there are some other camera tricks you can use to take your most flattering selfies on Snapchat:
- Use the rear camera instead of the front-facing one – it has better image quality.
- Position the camera slightly above your eye level and angle it down.
- Take photos in ample lighting with a soft, diffuse source like window light.
- Experiment with different facial expressions and angles to see what flatters you best.
- Focus the camera on your face – frame from the chest up.
- Clean the camera lens before taking selfies to keep the image sharp.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, while filters are fun to experiment with, you want to choose ones that enhance your natural features rather than transform you completely. Subtle beautifying filters tend to be the most universally flattering. And don’t forget good lighting, angles, and expressions – a filter can only elevate an already gorgeous selfie subject!