Looking polished on Instagram doesn’t always mean spending extra time with brushes, palettes, or foundation. With the right filters, you can achieve a fresh, flawless look instantly.
These effects smooth skin, brighten tones, and even add subtle makeup-like enhancements—perfect for days when you want to look your best without applying actual makeup.
Here’s a curated list of Instagram filters you can use right now to level up your selfies and videos.
Instagram Filters That Give You a Makeup-Like Glow
1. Clarendon
A timeless favorite, Clarendon makes colors pop by brightening highlights and deepening shadows. It’s great for selfies because it adds definition to your features while keeping skin looking vibrant and lively.
2. Valencia
If you’re after a softer aesthetic, Valencia adds a gentle yellow tint and mutes harsh highlights. This creates a warm, vintage vibe that flatters skin tones and smooths out imperfections.
3. Juno
Juno enhances warm colors and boosts contrast, making your skin appear glowing and defined. It’s a perfect choice for close-up shots when you want your features to stand out without heavy digital effects.
4. Paris
One of Instagram’s built-in gems, Paris gives your skin a smooth and airbrushed look. It reduces shadows and blemishes, leaving you with a naturally radiant finish—almost like a digital BB cream.
5. Oslo
Oslo provides a soft, refined polish that enhances selfies with subtle brightness. It doesn’t overdo the smoothing, making it ideal for those who prefer a minimal, natural look that still feels elevated.
6. The Glow
As its name suggests, The Glow adds a gentle warmth to your photos, smoothing skin and brightening eyes. It’s perfect for daytime selfies, giving you a sun-kissed appearance without needing bronzer or highlighter.
7. Ballerina
A community-favorite AR filter, Ballerina creates a delicate, radiant glow that flatters most skin tones. It enhances your natural beauty without adding heavy effects, making it perfect for subtle elegance.
8. Lovely Skin
Similar to Ballerina, Lovely Skin adds a soft glow and smooth texture for a healthy, fresh-faced look. It’s subtle enough to keep your photos authentic while still providing that extra polish.
9. Not So Basic
This AR filter lightly enhances your face with digital makeup—soft eyeshadow, smooth skin, and a hint of lipstick. Not So Basic is ideal when you want a soft glam vibe without going over the top.
10. Freckle Filter
Want something cute and fresh? The Freckle Filter sprinkles realistic-looking freckles across your cheeks and nose. It’s playful, natural, and perfect for adding charm to your selfies.
How to Find These Filters on Instagram
Finding these filters is simple:
- Open Instagram and swipe right to access the Story or Reels camera.
- Scroll through the filters at the bottom until you reach the end.
- Tap the magnifying glass icon to open the Effects Gallery.
- Type the filter name (e.g., “Ballerina” or “Lovely Skin”) into the search bar.
- Preview the filter, then tap Save Effect to add it to your tray for easy access.
Why Filters Are the New Makeup Hack
Filters don’t just save time—they give you flexibility. Whether you want a natural vibe, a polished glow, or a playful touch, Instagram’s filter library has an option for every mood. They enhance your features, smooth skin, and boost confidence—all with just a tap.
With these 10 filters, you can skip the daily makeup routine and still look flawless in your posts, Stories, and Reels
How to search for more filters on Instagram?
If you haven’t yet found the perfect filter to replace makeup in your Instagram content, don’t worry! Instagram offers a comprehensive search feature where you can explore hundreds of effects and find the one that best suits your needs.
In the mobile app, just do the following:
- Create a “Story” or “Reels”;
- Drag the filter list to the end and tap on “Magnifying Glass”;
- Tap the desired option to apply it.
Inside the magnifying glass icon on Instagram, you’ll find many effects, including popular highlights and a search feature to find specific filters. One of the exciting features is the ability to create your own Instagram filter and share it with others.
And if you’re exploring filters in October, don’t miss out on Halloween-themed effects to add a spooky touch to your posts and have fun with your friends.
