How to Edit Pictures: Every Woman's Guide to Natural-Looking Selfies

The power to edit photos easily comes with great responsibility. These days, altering images has become somewhat taboo, with many misrepresenting the real, well, picture. However, wanting to make your photos look better is not a crime, especially if the process makes you feel good. Learning how to edit pictures – selfies, in particular – while keeping them natural and still beautifully you is possible. Scroll on for some tips! 

Are you wondering how to edit pictures to achieve that natural glow? Tinker with the lighting. Some smartphones come with a selfie camera that automatically adjusts brightness and contrast. It makes the overall ambiance more flattering and selfie-friendly. Do this manually by looking for your camera’s editing panel and modifying the brightness. Add some warmth to achieve that golden-hour light, which looks amazing on everybody. For a softer, more natural-looking photo, turn down the contrast slightly. High-contrast pictures tend to wash out the skin and “flatten” facial features. 

Don’t worry about not being photogenic. Adjusting your photo’s vibrance is a softer alternative to boosting saturation and has a more natural result. It won't change how you look, but it makes the photo more attractive and attention-grabbing to your followers (if you do post it). How? It makes the color of your lips and cheeks pop, your skin becomes warmer, and the colors of your clothes and accessories stand out.

Don’t let the occasional pimple keep you from living your best life. Go ahead and take that pic, then remove the blemish in post-production. Photos are forever, but you need not memorialize zits. There’s no shame in doing some spot correction if it will make you feel more confident about your selfie. Emphasis on “spot.” Avoid clone-stamping your entire face to the point of erasing your pores – they’re not your enemy. You could also make tiny tweaks to the background, such as removing unwanted smudges or logos for a cleaner image overall.

Cropping is another way to improve an image. It enhances framing and composition to draw the eyes to the subject: You. You can also use it to remove unnecessary parts, such as cluttered backgrounds. Instead of liquifying your arm to make it look thinner (this gets many influencers in trouble), use cropping to adjust the borders. Playing with photo angles and orientation can also help. Rotating the image by about five degrees can make your selfie look more natural and dynamic. Sometimes angled photos can be more flattering.

Word to the wise: filters are obvious. While there’s nothing wrong with using them, don’t overdo it. Wouldn’t it be nice to get fire and heart eyes emojis for a selfie that looks like you? Color filters are great for adding artistic flair and drama to an image. Sunny? Melancholy? Gritty? They can help you achieve the vibe you’re going for. They are also ideal for enhancing skin tone. However, avoid using filters at 100%. Go to the settings and turn it down to 30. At this intensity, it does the job without changing too much.

Knowing how to edit pictures is good, but it's taking care of your skin that let's you go filter-free. Use Dove Facial Cleansing Mousse Moisture Care to cleanse your skin of impurities without stripping it of moisture. It gives your skin a soft glow you wouldn’t think to edit out. For a smooth and even skin tone, add POND'S Bright Miracle Night Serum to your evening routine. This contains niasorcinol, a powerful antioxidant known to refine pores and brighten dark spots.

Stop wondering how to edit photos! Follow these tips if you want to tinker with your selfies while still celebrating your natural beauty.