WTF: This Selfie Camera Is Also a Perfume Bottle

Nowadays, selfies are everywhere — from Apple’s latest ad campaign to profile photos to the full “selfies” folder on your iPhone, close-up photos of our faces reign supreme. A recent study published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgerydisclosed that even a few years ago, back in 2014, people were snapping 93 billion pictures of themselves on Android phones each day; it’s mindboggling to guess how many selfies we’ve taken over the last half-decade. While selfies can be glamorous, funny, memorable, and even used as your password, researchers have also proven that they can cause unhealthy dysmorphia.

Do you like your facial features when you look in the mirror but feel like they look a little funky or not as attractive to you on your phone screen? If so, you might be observing something the researchers coined the “Selfie Effect,” which primarily causes noticeable distortion to the nose. The effect can be so dramatic that it can make your nose look 30 percent bigger than it actually is. Dr. Anthony Youn, a leading holistic plastic surgeon, explains this modern phenomenon in more detail. “Selfie dysmorphia is a term that describes an unrealistic obsession that many people have with taking selfies, getting rid of their perceived flaws with filters, and then having plastic surgery to try to look like their filtered selfies,” he schools us. “Patients actually bring their filtered and edited selfies to plastic surgeons’ offices and ask them to change their appearance to look like their altered photos.” Boris Pashkover, an assistant professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School’s Department of Otolaryngology and co-author of the study, cites patients coming in with selfies and asking specifically to make their noses smaller. Find this to be sad and unfortunate? Dr. Youn agrees and expresses his concern. “This is unsettling for me (as a board-certified plastic surgeon) because most millennials don’t really ‘need’ anything done.”

“People, especially millennials, need to understand that selfies are not accurate representations of how they look,” he continues. “To be honest, selfies are more like a carnival funhouse version of yourself than an accurate representation — and it all has to do with the distance between your face and the camera.” According to Dr. Youn and the study, the closer you position your face to the camera, the more you might perceive your appearance as altered. “Portrait photos are typically taken from a distance, unlike selfies, which can be captured as little as 12 inches from your face. Portrait photographers have known this for years and take their photos accordingly,” he says. “Selfies aren’t a totally accurate depiction of what a person’s face looks like, and they shouldn’t influence the decision to undergo plastic surgery,” he reiterates.

Good news, though: If you’re not thrilled with how your face or nose look in close-up pictures, moving the camera farther away will definitely help — whether you set it up somewhere and use a timer, or get yourself a selfie stick. And there’s always the option of having someone take a photo for you; the extra distance will give you a better picture that accurately depicts how flawless you really are.

What do you think about the “selfie effect”? Sound off on Twitter @BritandCo.

Stassi Schroeder may look picture-perfect when appearing on her reality series Vanderpump Rules, but beneath that seemingly flawless complexion, she wants us to know that she’s every bit as human as the rest of us.

The Straight Up With Stassi podcast host took to Instagram stories over the weekend sans cosmetics to let fans in on a little secret: She actually suffers from psoriasis. “The psoriasis situation is not on fleek,” she said in the accompanying post video. “If anybody else suffers from this and gets it on their face, I’m with you.”

She reiterated her statements with her caption, saying, “If you suffer from Psoriaris, you ain’t alone. Sh*t sucks.”

It’s not the first time she’s opened up about the topic: Back in 2015, she shared a similar selfie while letting fans in on her big beauty secret: Ultra HD Make Up Forever Foundation ($43).

“So many of you ask what makeup I use because It “looks” like I have flawless skin,” she wrote at the time. “I don’t. And these patches are an f-ing b*tch to cover up and make me feel ugly all the time… Feel beautiful today, girls. We all have our issues.”

View this post on Instagram

Having one of those days where Psoriasis is taking over my life. So many of you ask what makeup I use because it "looks" like I have flawless skin. I don't. And these patches are an effing bitch to cover up and make me feel ugly all the time. So here ya go, a no make up selfie. Feel beautiful today, girls. We all have our issues. PS. I use HD make up forever foundation ;)

A post shared by Stassi Schroeder (@stassischroeder) on Nov 5, 2015 at 11:11am PST

As she told Bravo in a subsequent interview, it’s important for her to be open with her viewers about her looks. “Because I know if I go on another girl’s blog or if I’m looking at her Instagram — I stalk tons of female celebrities too — I don’t like feeling bad about myself,” she shared. “I don’t like when people pretend everything’s perfect, it’s not… And I don’t like when women feel insecure, and I don’t want them to ever look at me and feel that way so that’s why if I need to talk about my psoriasis or the fact that I’m wearing pairs of Spanx, fine.”

Her sentiments echo that of Lorde’s, who shared her own struggles with acne just last week. Kudos to both ladies for showing us all that even with our perceived “flaws,” we’re still beautiful in every way!

What do you think of Stassi’s makeup-free selfie? Share over @BritandCo.

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(Photo via @stassischroeder + Dia Dipasupil/Getty)

It’s only mid-October, but I already feel my skin severely drying out. These days, I never let a tube of Aquaphor out of my sight, but what really saves my dry skin is a solid night cream. I’ve been loving thicker, slug-worthy formulas (like the few I’ll mention in this list), but there are a ton of different options to choose from when it comes to the best night cream for you. No matter what, late fall and winter are surely going to bring on more dryness than you’re used to – so stock up on one of these effective hydrating night creams now. They’ll put in all the work for your dry skin while you sleep peacefully, so you can wake up looking rejuvenated and moisturized to the gods!

Best Tested & Reviewed Night Creams:

• Versed Sweet Relief Night Mask + Face Balm
• Youth To The People Superberry Glow Dream Mask
• CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream
• Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizing Face & Neck Night Cream
• La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Night Cream
• Cocokind Resurrection Polypeptide Cream
• Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream
• Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer

Amazon

Versed Sweet Relief Night Mask + Face Balm

This is my absolute favorite night cream, and honestly, one of the best skincare products I've tried in my life. I've repurchased the pot three times now. Why do I love it so much? Well, for nighttime, it's exceptionally hydrating. I am a huge fan of the slugging technique (AKA slathering your skin in a thick jelly or cream to prevent water loss), and this pick really gets the job done. I wake up looking super hydrated, especially living in a dry climate! Plus, this product is very fun to scoop up and put on. The formula is also boosted with bacuri and kokum butters and apricot kernel oil to support the skin barrier, which is always welcome.

Amazon

Youth To The People Superberry Glow Dream Mask

Not only does this mask hydrate, it also brightens – we love a multi-hyphenate! The formula has a very rich texture that soaks into the skin while simultaneously sitting lightly on top to lock in moisture. It's like a fresh gulp of water for your dry skin – with a subtle fruity scent that makes applying it very fun.

B+C’s VP of Content, Alison Ives, is a big fan of the Superberry Hydrate + Glow Dream Mask.

“Believe the hype, people! I’d heard amazing things about Youth To The People for years, so when I saw a mini version of this for sale, I couldn’t resist ordering it to try it out. The jar was the ideal size for frequent travels when you want to keep up with your skincare routine while away, and the formula felt really luxurious on my dry skin. I use it a few times a week when I need an extra boost of hydration overnight. Plus, squalane is great for anti-aging concerns and reducing the little lines I have in my eye area.”

Amazon

CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream

If fine lines and wrinkles are your primary skincare concern, this is one of the best night creams for you. CeraVe products are commonly recommended by dermatologists for any and all skin types, since they're often gentle, yet effective! This cream in particular is fragrance free, non-comedogenic, and non-irritating, so those with sensitive skin can enjoy its hydrating benefits. It has hyaluronic acid and 3 essential ceramides to boost the skin's hydration and elasticity, which can help reduce the look of those pesky wrinkles.

Amazon

Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizing Face & Neck Night Cream

Dealing with uneven skin tone and texture? Opt for this night cream that still gloriously hydrates your skin. It features niacinamide, a skincare hero for reducing the look of dark spots. The brand reported that 91% of users had softer, smoother-feeling skin in just one week after using this product!

Amazon

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermallergo Night Cream

Made to soothe and hydrate, this night cream also purifies the skin, drawing out excess oil overnight to minimize blemishes and clogged pores. It has a gel-cream texture to it, so it doesn't feel overly heavy on the skin – but is still nourishing! The fragrance-free formula is safe for sensitive skin types, and works most effectively in conjunction with other La Roche-Posay products.

Amazon

Cocokind Resurrection Polypeptide Cream

This rich moisturizing cream lets you easily get the look of plumped skin overnight. It includes polypeptides that aid in collagen production, improving firmness while combatting fine lines and wrinkles. The formula has a "dreamy" and "cushion-like" texture that hugs the skin so it can deliver all the goodness!

Amazon

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cream

This cream is a true staple in my skincare routine, morning or night. It sounds unreal, but my skin truly looks more alive after I slather it on. It's somehow rich and creamy, but still lightweight enough that I can wear it throughout the day under my makeup. The 4.5% squalane helps maintain the skin’s moisture, while the glycoproteins (derived from glaciers – so fancy!) boost hydration even more. It helps your skin feel balanced and healthy, no matter what time of day you apply it.

Dieux

Dieux Instant Angel Moisturizer

This is another one of my beloved night creams that I use on a weekly basis when my skin really needs quenching. Dieux's Instant Angel Moisturizer is a total expert at providing your skin with moisture and protecting its barrier. Supporting your skin barrier can help it maintain healthy hydration levels, so you won't have to overcompensate with more creams and products that may not work 100% of the time.

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Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.