Do People See You Inverted? Your Questions Answered (2024)

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Find out if TikTok’s inverted filter is telling the truth

Co-authored byDevin McSween

Last Updated: January 28, 2024Fact Checked

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  • Do people see my image inverted?
  • |
  • Why You Look Different Inverted
  • |
  • Do I look more accurate in the mirror or in photos?
  • |
  • How to See Your Inverted Image in a Mirror

After seeing all the online buzz, you finally succumb and try on TikTok’s inverted filter. Like everyone else, what stares back at you is surprising: is your inverted face really what everyone sees? It can definitely feel weird to see your face flipped, but don’t be alarmed—you’re just not used to this view! In this article, we’ll tell you if people see your image flipped or how you appear to yourself in the mirror. Then, we’ll answer why you tend to like your mirror image better. If you’re feeling curious about mirrors vs photos, we’ll also tell you which one is more accurate. Read on to learn more!

Things You Should Know

  • People see you inverted, not like how you see yourself in the mirror. The image of yourself that you see in the mirror is actually reversed.
  • You tend to like yourself better in the mirror because you’re more familiar with it and expect to see your features reversed.
  • Mirrors are generally more accurate than photos because they’re less susceptible to distortion and provide a 3-D view of yourself in motion.
  • See your inverted image in a mirror by holding 2 mirrors together. Angle them diagonally so their edges touch and form a right angle.

Section 1 of 4:

Do people see my image inverted?

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  1. People see you inverted in real life, or the opposite of your mirror image. When you look in a mirror, what you’re actually seeing is a reversed image of yourself. As you're hanging out with friends or walking down the street, people see your image un-flipped. So that mole that you’re used to seeing on your right cheek is actually on your left to the person facing you.[1]

    • Like the TikTok inverted filter, regular photos and flipped selfies show you how people see you.
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Section 2 of 4:

Why You Look Different Inverted

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  1. 1

    You look different because you’re more familiar with your reversed image. If you like how you look better in the mirror than inverted, you’re not alone! Most people prefer their mirror image because that’s who they see every day. Your inverted image can seem uncanny because you don’t see your flipped image in pictures and filters as often. This tracks with the mere exposure effect, which tells us that we tend to like things that we see frequently more than things we see infrequently.[2]

    • To back that up, researchers have found that people usually prefer their mirrored image, while their friends or partner like their un-flipped image more.
    • While it can feel shocking to realize that people see you inverted, know that you don’t look worse or weird. You might not be used to your inverted image, but this is the face your friends and family know and love. You’re still you whether you’re mirrored or inverted!
  2. 2

    Your features tend to pop out more to you in your inverted image. Because you’re less used to your flipped image, the curves and lines of your face don’t match up to what you expect to see. This often highlights the asymmetry of your face, which can make you think that you look weird or distorted.[3]

    • No one has a perfectly symmetrical face, not even models or famous actors, so don’t feel discouraged by your inverted image. Your face proportions are the same whether you’re looking in the mirror or talking to friends. It’s just that you’re more used to your mirror image, so you like it more.
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Section 3 of 4:

Do I look more accurate in the mirror or in photos?

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  1. Mirrors are generally more accurate than photos. Even though mirrors reverse your image, they’re less affected by outside, distorting factors. A mirror simply reflects your image back to you, while a camera’s angle, lens size, and quality can all affect how your image comes out. So, if you’ve ever thought you looked great in the mirror, but wondered what happened in the pictures afterward, breathe a sigh of relief! The camera was just warping your image.[4]

    • Lighting and angles can also affect how you look in different mirrors. Unlike photos though, mirrors give you a 3-D view of yourself in motion. Others see you as you move, so this tends to be a more accurate depiction of you. As a plus, people tend to find you more attractive when you’re in motion rather than frozen![5]

Section 4 of 4:

How to See Your Inverted Image in a Mirror

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  1. Place 2 mirrors together at a right angle to see yourself un-reversed. To see yourself as others see you, grab 2 mirrors. Place them next to each other so their edges are touching. Then, angle each mirror diagonally towards you, like you’re holding a book, so the edges form a right angle. Now, look in the mirrors.[6] When you close your right eye, your reflection does too, except it now looks like your left eye is closed! It’s as if a copy of you is standing in front of you.[7]

    • While 1 mirror reverses your image, adding a 2nd mirror flips the reversed image, showing you your “true” image.[8]
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      About This Article

      Do People See You Inverted? Your Questions Answered (26)

      Co-authored by:

      Devin McSween

      wikiHow Staff Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Devin McSween. Devin McSween is a wikiHow Staff Writer. With a background in psychology, she has presented her research in social psychology at a variety of conferences and has contributed to several manuscripts for publication. At wikiHow, Devin combines her love of writing and research with the goal of bringing accessible information to wikiHow readers that will help them learn and grow. She earned her BS in Psychology from the College of Charleston. This article has been viewed 228,507 times.

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      Co-authors: 6

      Updated: January 28, 2024

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      Categories: Social Media

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      Do People See You Inverted? Your Questions Answered (2024)

      FAQs

      Do People See You Inverted? Your Questions Answered? ›

      As you're hanging out with friends or walking down the street, people see your image un-flipped. So that mole that you're used to seeing on your right cheek is actually on your left to the person facing you. Like the TikTok inverted filter, regular photos and flipped selfies show you how people see you.

      Is the inverted filter how others see you? ›

      Both the filter and True Mirror vertically flip someone's image to reveal a perspective they rarely see: how they look to others. This revelation has caused something akin to an internet-wide tailspin. Many who have used the filter and mirror filmed their reactions.

      Is your reflection in the mirror what others see? ›

      The image you see in the mirror is reversed compared to the image that others see face-to-face with you. Your friends are familiar with your non-reversed image, while you are familiar with your reversed image in a regular mirror.

      Is the inverted filter accurate? ›

      basically yes. but technically no. technically you are flipped. but you don't look flipped.

      Do we look better in mirror or real life? ›

      The mirror is a reflection.

      It's a reflection, so it shows how we look like in reverse. Because we're so used to seeing the reverse version of ourselves, seeing how we look in pictures can be jarring. And unless you're blessed with a perfectly symmetrical face, the photo version of yourself can be even more wonky.

      Do people see me fully inverted? ›

      When you look in a mirror, what you're actually seeing is a reversed image of yourself. As you're hanging out with friends or walking down the street, people see your image un-flipped. So that mole that you're used to seeing on your right cheek is actually on your left to the person facing you.

      Why does my inverted face look weird? ›

      You are used to seeing the reversed image of your face in the mirror, so your brain is tricked into thinking your face looks strange when it's flipped in photos. To fix this, you can set your phone's camera on "mirror” mode, or flip the images in an editing app.

      Which is more accurate, mirror or photo? ›

      Mirrors are much more accurate than camera images. This, of course, assumes the mirror is plane and flat. We are not talking about trick mirrors or the type of mirrors that are designed to create distortion.

      How can I see myself the way others see me? ›

      Hold two hand mirrors in front of you with their edges touching and a right angle between them like the two covers of a book when you're reading. With a little adjustment you can get a complete reflection of your face as others see it.

      Is the mirror inverted? ›

      Mirrors don't reverse left to right, they reverse front to back. Consider this, when you look at yourself in a mirror, it appears to you that your reflection is another person who looks just like you standing behind a piece of glass, at the same distance from the glass as yourself and facing you.

      What is more accurate, an inverted filter or a back camera? ›

      NO! Others see you just as a normal camera will see you. An inverted filter simply flips the image so it it like looking in a mirror. Selfie portraits also cause distortion of your face because the camera is too close for correct perspective.

      Do people see me as more attractive? ›

      A new study shows that 20% of people see you as more attractive than you do. When you look in the mirror, all you see is your appearance. When others look at you they see something different such as personality, kindness, intelligence, and sense of humor. All these factors make up a part of a person's overall beauty.

      Is an inverted camera really how you look? ›

      However, in real life, people see your image unflipped or the opposite of your mirror reflection. This means that features you're used to seeing on one side of your face appear on the opposite side to others. That's why the TikTok inverted filter was created in the first place.

      Are we more attractive than we look in mirror? ›

      When you look in the mirror, how do you see yourself? Do you believe you are more attractive than you are? If this is the case, you are not alone. According to University of Barcelona researchers, people have an inaccurate view of their own appearance and rate themselves as more attractive than they actually are.

      Do others see me inverted on Zoom? ›

      The participants will always see what your camera sees. The Mirror video option only changes your personal view of your camera, not what your camera is sending to the other participants.

      How do you see how you really look? ›

      Which is more accurate, a mirror or a picture? Viewing yourself in the mirror will provide a better picture of what you look like in real-time. Pictures are not the human eye, like mentioned earlier, there are so many variables that go into photos such as angles, lighting, camera lenses etc.

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