Inverted Filter: Is the Inverted Filter Accurate?

You’ve probably seen that trend flying around. The one where people keep flipping their faces with the inverted filter to see if they’re symmetrical or secretly a Picasso painting. Some of the results are absolutely diabolical. But funny. But also… kind of sad?

What started off as a joke has now spiraled into an insecurity spiral for a lot of people. Like, if your face shifts even a little when flipped, does that mean you’re “ugly”? Not really. It just means you’re human. And we all have a “good side” for a reason, because symmetry is usually just a myth most of the time. So what’s really going on here? Is the inverted filter accurate? Why does it feel so off? And how can you try it yourself, not to spiral, but to understand it? 

The Inverted Filter is a viral camera effect trending on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. It flips your face horizontally, where your left becomes right, and right becomes left, showing you what your face looks like to others, not the mirror version you’re used to. It’s often called the Flip Filter because that’s exactly what it does: mirrors your face in real time. 

The inverted face filter basically implies: if your face is symmetrical, the flipped version should look exactly the same, right? But for the rest of us, whose faces are naturally asymmetrical, the flipped result looks… strange. That inverted filter online doesn’t expose flaws; it just reminds you how subjective perception really is. It’s less about symmetry and more about how comfortable we are with seeing ourselves in unfamiliar ways.

@dnd_csd #Inverted #fypシ ♬ Use my sound hashtag me do I can see the vid – midnight_rlyslo

It’s easy to forget how others actually see you until you flip the perspective. And all it takes is the right tool to help you do just that. BeautyPlus is a beauty app that brings all your editing features into one place, giving you everything you need to get that perfect, post-worthy picture ready fast.

Here’s how you can flip your photo using BeautyPlus:

1. Download and open the BeautyPlus app on your device. It’s available for both iOS and Android, so you’re good either way.

2. On the homepage, tap  “Start Editing” to upload your photo. 

3. After your image loads, it’ll take you to the main edit screen. Tap on the “Edit” tab at the bottom, then look for and tap the “Crop” option.

4. Inside the crop settings, you’ll see “Flip”. Tap that. And just like that, your image will mirror. Now judge for yourself: symmetry check, mood change, or just a different vibe altogether.

5. If you’re happy with how it looks, tap “Save” at the top right to download the flipped version to your gallery.

Adjust facial symmetry

Before saving, if you want to go ahead and adjust the facial symmetry just a bit, or tweak the satisfaction of your face overall, BeautyPlus lets you do that too. Here’s how:

1. Once your image is on the Edit screen, tap on “Portrait” from the bottom menu.

2. From there, select “Slim” among the Portrait edit options.

3. Now use the brush tool to gently nudge or push areas of the face that look slightly asymmetrical. This could be jawline, cheekbones, or even nose alignment. Subtle changes go a long way here.

If you’re an avid TikTok user or just happen to have the app chilling on your phone, you might as well use it; the camera works great for most people anyway. TikTok’s own filter does the job just fine, and here’s how to use it:

1. Open the TikTok app on your phone.

2. Tap the “+” icon at the bottom to start a new video.

3. On the left side of the record button, tap “Effects”.

4. Tap the search icon to open the search bar and type “Inverted”, then tap the filter with two arrows facing opposite directions. Tap the screen and it’ll flip your face to the other side.

5. If needed, tap the rotate camera icon to use your front camera. You don’t need to record. Just tap and check yourself out.

8. If you want to film, tap the red record button and go ahead.

Short answer is yes, but it messes with your brain a little. Most people try it out for fun, but the reaction for some can feel interesting… most just feel weird. And there’s a reason.

You’ve looked at yourself in the mirror your whole life and that flipped version is what your brain has accepted as you. So when you see the actual unflipped version (how the world sees you), it doesn’t look wrong, just unfamiliar.

Also, let’s not forget: human faces aren’t perfectly symmetrical. So when it flips, little things show up, maybe one brow arches higher, or one side of your jaw curves more. Stuff you’ve never noticed suddenly becomes noticeable. Regardless, that doesn’t necessarily mean you look bad, it’s just a different version of you. 

If you have, or haven’t, gone on the adventure of flipping your face to see what you really look like, the bottom line is this: just remember, you are exactly how you’re meant to be. It might feel like a humbling experience, sure. Seeing your features flipped through an inverted photo filter can catch you off guard, but the truth is, it’s just a version of you that you’re not used to seeing. Nothing changed. You’re still you.

• How to get an inverted face filter?

Tools like BeautyPlus and TikTok have portrait face filters that will instantly mirror your image and show you what your face would look like inverted. 

• How to use the inverted filter on iPhone?

Inverting your image on your iPhone is equally easy. Simply, open the image you want to invert, tap the “Edit” button, and from the options below, tap “crop”. At the top left, you will notice a “mirror” button, tap and your image will instantly flip.  

• Why do I look weird with the inverted filter?

Since you’re so used to looking at a mirrored version of yourself (in a mirror), when it flips through an inverted camera filter, and your right side becomes your left, and your left side your right, your brain can’t seem to make much sense out of it. This is especially prevalent when the face is more asymmetrical.