How to Ditch the Filters and Fall Back in Love With Your Face

Everyone has a different relationship with beauty and confidence. But I’m sure that for most, it’s been heavily influenced by social media recently in one way or another. I know mine has.

Filters and editing tools have created unrealistic standards, encouraging us to judge ourselves against perfectly curated images that don’t reflect what we see in the mirror. Comparison culture is especially damaging for teens and tweens who are at such a delicate stage in developing their self-image, and even as adults, we’re affected by the pressure to maintain a polished persona online.

In Dove’s Self-Esteem Project surveying 1000 girls aged 10-17, one in two said toxic online beauty advice caused low self-esteem. What’s more, 90% were still following at least one account that affects their confidence. Elsewhere, Origym’s Body Image Study revealed that one in four people won’t upload a selfie without a filter or editing first, while two in five people across a range of age groups said not fitting social media’s beauty standards affected their mental health.

The most common insecurities I hear from the women I work with usually revolve around their skin, dark circles, or specific features they feel self-conscious about - like their nose, lips, or eyebrows. Far too many feel like they need to hide parts of themselves and I make it my responsibility to remind them that these features are what make them uniquely beautiful.

Unfortunately, social media is going nowhere, and many of us find it hard to step away from the sites that make us feel less than. So the challenge now is learning to appreciate our true selves beyond the screen.

The Push for Authenticity

Gen Z might have grown up under the most social scrutiny, yet they’re the ones reshaping the narrative, embracing unfiltered moments, and actively seeking out more relatable role models.

As a result, the beauty industry is definitely shifting. We’re seeing a rise in smaller, independent brands that have built their entire identity around transparency, real skin, and community-led content, without the heavy airbrushing of before. The bigger beauty houses are also slowly getting on board. Many of them have started using more unedited images, diverse faces, and campaigns that celebrate individuality instead of perfection. There’s still a way to go but progress is happening, and creating space for more honest conversations around beauty.

That said, the pressure to look camera-ready hasn’t suddenly disappeared. Ultimately, we’re in a transition phase: people want realness, but they also want to feel confident and finding that balance is the key.

When it comes to putting that balance into practice, it’s about enhancing rather than hiding. When a client sits in my chair, I always start by looking at their natural features, in other words, their eye shape, skin texture, bone structure, and I highlight what already makes them beautiful. Makeup should feel like a confidence boost, not a mask; the real glow comes when someone sees their own beauty with fresh eyes.

Becoming Confident with Reality

If you want to embrace a more natural look but you’re used to filters or heavy editing, start with small, manageable steps. Try posting a picture without filters to a close friend group first or gradually reducing the intensity of editing over time. Practice seeing yourself through an unfiltered lens and being gentle with yourself during that process. Don’t let it become another guilt trap, where you feel bad about not being confident going au naturel all of a sudden. Confidence isn’t built overnight, and it’s alright if it feels uncomfortable at first.

Another important step is to focus on what makes you feel good, rather than what you feel needs “fixing.” Highlight your favourite features, your natural smile, or your personal style, and celebrate those moments online. Over time, sharing your real appearance can feel empowering, and it reminds both you and your audience that beauty is authentic and diverse.

Then think glow, because healthy skin naturally radiates confidence. Healthy skin starts with hydration, SPF, and a good moisturiser. When it comes to makeup, I prefer subtle techniques; a touch of concealer where needed, a natural flush on the cheeks, and a soft highlight to lift features.

The key is simplicity and staying true to yourself, so choose products and colours that suit you, not someone else. A little mascara, a swipe of lip colour, or a glowing base can do wonders for confidence. It’s about celebrating individuality while feeling polished and comfortable in your own skin.

Over time, my own view of beauty has changed. I used to think it was all about clear skin or specific features, but now I see it as something much more holistic. Natural beauty is in how you carry yourself, the energy you bring into a room, and the way you treat yourself and others. Trends will always come and go, but lasting confidence is shaped by how we see ourselves, and that’s something we can all nurture every day.

Nawar Raichura, Celebrity & Multi-Award Winning Makeup Artist