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New Report Looks at the Rise of Beauty Enhancement Trends and Tools Online

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New Report Looks at the Rise of Beauty Enhancement Trends and Tools Online

These days, almost every photo app and tool provides some level of beauty enhancement capability, with a range of filters and effects designed to hide blemishes, remove age lines, thin your frame, and all sorts of other visual contortions, in order to make people feel more comfortable about sharing their selfies with an audience.

The problem with this is that it also contributes to unrealistic beauty standards, with users then comparing themselves to these increasingly airbrushed and sculpted depictions, which often bear little resemblance to reality. That in turn changes beauty standards across the board, and can contribute to negative self-perception, with research showing that 32% of teen girls feel worse about their bodies after scrolling Instagram.

But how prominent is the use of beautification filters, and what are the real impacts of such, based on key trends?

That’s what beauty brand LookFantastic sought to determine with its latest study, which looked at key beauty trends across the web, along with the most popular enhancement apps, in order to get a sense of what’s driving these behaviors, and how significant they’ve become.

As per LookFantastic:

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Over the past year, Google searches for ‘instagram filters that change your face’ have increased by a staggering 100% alongside Dove recently finding that 85% of young girls have already edited their appearance by the time they’re 13 years old.”

These a frightening stats, which somewhat underlines the above-noted noted findings which came from leaked reports based on Meta’s own research.  

In terms of the most commonly searched for beauty procedures, LookFantastic found that lip fillers and liposuction are among the most popular topics.

Focusing more specifically on TikTok, the study data shows that trends relating to diet and cosmetic procedures are very popular in the app.

LookFantastic Beauty Trends Report

This, again, is concerning, especially given the popularity of TikTok among younger audiences. And when you also consider that many of the top influencers are posting their content with digital enhancements enabled, it further underlines the need for more transparency in this regard – because if people are structuring their diet around completely unrealistic approaches, that could do significant harm, in many ways.

LookFantastic also analyzed the most popular beauty enhancement apps, based on Google Play Store activity.

LookFantastic Beauty Trends Report

You can see from these images how significantly these apps can alter your appearance – and again, it’s often impossible to know when these filters and tools have been applied, which can be dangerous in terms of comparison and response.

Though some efforts are being made to address this.

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Back in 2020, Snapchat offered preliminary support for a proposed a new law in the UK which would force social platforms to add labels to any posted image that had been digitally altered or enhanced (the proposal is still under consideration), while Google has also removed default image re-touching in its Pixel devices after research showed that this can have negative psychological impacts.

TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram have all also added notifiers on images where effects have been applied – though this is not a solution, as such, given that users can alter their photos in other apps before posting to these platforms.

There are alternative proposals, including advanced systems that can detect changes in an image using more in-depth assessment of the pixels themselves. But thus far, those have not been applied in a detection sense within social apps – and again, there are questions over the potential effectiveness of such approaches given the variable way that images can be rendered before posting.

But clearly, this is a significant concern, and more action should be considered. The platforms themselves need to be more involved in this, and provide solutions that can address this element – because right now, these are some frighteningly dangerous trends that are proliferating across social networks.

You can read LookFanstastic’s full report here.

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

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Snapchat Explores New Messaging Retention Feature: A Game-Changer or Risky Move?

In a recent announcement, Snapchat revealed a groundbreaking update that challenges its traditional design ethos. The platform is experimenting with an option that allows users to defy the 24-hour auto-delete rule, a feature synonymous with Snapchat’s ephemeral messaging model.

The proposed change aims to introduce a “Never delete” option in messaging retention settings, aligning Snapchat more closely with conventional messaging apps. While this move may blur Snapchat’s distinctive selling point, Snap appears convinced of its necessity.

According to Snap, the decision stems from user feedback and a commitment to innovation based on user needs. The company aims to provide greater flexibility and control over conversations, catering to the preferences of its community.

Currently undergoing trials in select markets, the new feature empowers users to adjust retention settings on a conversation-by-conversation basis. Flexibility remains paramount, with participants able to modify settings within chats and receive in-chat notifications to ensure transparency.

Snapchat underscores that the default auto-delete feature will persist, reinforcing its design philosophy centered on ephemerality. However, with the app gaining traction as a primary messaging platform, the option offers users a means to preserve longer chat histories.

The update marks a pivotal moment for Snapchat, renowned for its disappearing message premise, especially popular among younger demographics. Retaining this focus has been pivotal to Snapchat’s identity, but the shift suggests a broader strategy aimed at diversifying its user base.

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This strategy may appeal particularly to older demographics, potentially extending Snapchat’s relevance as users age. By emulating features of conventional messaging platforms, Snapchat seeks to enhance its appeal and broaden its reach.

Yet, the introduction of message retention poses questions about Snapchat’s uniqueness. While addressing user demands, the risk of diluting Snapchat’s distinctiveness looms large.

As Snapchat ventures into uncharted territory, the outcome of this experiment remains uncertain. Will message retention propel Snapchat to new heights, or will it compromise the platform’s uniqueness?

Only time will tell.

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

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Catering to specific audience boosts your business, says accountant turned coach

While it is tempting to try to appeal to a broad audience, the founder of alcohol-free coaching service Just the Tonic, Sandra Parker, believes the best thing you can do for your business is focus on your niche. Here’s how she did just that.

When running a business, reaching out to as many clients as possible can be tempting. But it also risks making your marketing “too generic,” warns Sandra Parker, the founder of Just The Tonic Coaching.

“From the very start of my business, I knew exactly who I could help and who I couldn’t,” Parker told My Biggest Lessons.

Parker struggled with alcohol dependence as a young professional. Today, her business targets high-achieving individuals who face challenges similar to those she had early in her career.

“I understand their frustrations, I understand their fears, and I understand their coping mechanisms and the stories they’re telling themselves,” Parker said. “Because of that, I’m able to market very effectively, to speak in a language that they understand, and am able to reach them.” 

“I believe that it’s really important that you know exactly who your customer or your client is, and you target them, and you resist the temptation to make your marketing too generic to try and reach everyone,” she explained.

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“If you speak specifically to your target clients, you will reach them, and I believe that’s the way that you’re going to be more successful.

Watch the video for more of Sandra Parker’s biggest lessons.

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

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Instagram Tests Live-Stream Games to Enhance Engagement

Instagram’s testing out some new options to help spice up your live-streams in the app, with some live broadcasters now able to select a game that they can play with viewers in-stream.

As you can see in these example screens, posted by Ahmed Ghanem, some creators now have the option to play either “This or That”, a question and answer prompt that you can share with your viewers, or “Trivia”, to generate more engagement within your IG live-streams.

That could be a simple way to spark more conversation and interaction, which could then lead into further engagement opportunities from your live audience.

Meta’s been exploring more ways to make live-streaming a bigger consideration for IG creators, with a view to live-streams potentially catching on with more users.

That includes the gradual expansion of its “Stars” live-stream donation program, giving more creators in more regions a means to accept donations from live-stream viewers, while back in December, Instagram also added some new options to make it easier to go live using third-party tools via desktop PCs.

Live streaming has been a major shift in China, where shopping live-streams, in particular, have led to massive opportunities for streaming platforms. They haven’t caught on in the same way in Western regions, but as TikTok and YouTube look to push live-stream adoption, there is still a chance that they will become a much bigger element in future.

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Which is why IG is also trying to stay in touch, and add more ways for its creators to engage via streams. Live-stream games is another element within this, which could make this a better community-building, and potentially sales-driving option.

We’ve asked Instagram for more information on this test, and we’ll update this post if/when we hear back.

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