Picture-perfect altered reality

Data on Chinese photo-editing app users.[Photo provided to China Daily]

But 25-year-old Xie Qi believes the apps aren't fast or convenient enough. So the human resources worker at a college in Zhejiang province's Wenzhou bought a smartphone specially designed to take beautiful selfies years ago.

It automatically renders skin flawless, faces slim, eyes large and irises colorful.

She usually takes two phones with her when she goes to parties or on trips－her "selfie smartphone" and one for ordinary use.

"Many of my friends also have two phones," she says.

"We're not perfect in real life. But altering our photos makes us appear beautiful and confident."

Xie still uses apps, even with her specialized phone, and spends five to 10 minutes editing each photo. She sometimes seeks friends' advice on creating perfect images.

Her mother also uses apps to remove wrinkles. Xie agrees this is a good way for her mom to present an idealized self on such social-media platforms as Instagram and WeChat in hopes of getting as many likes as possible.

Xie posted lots of selfies during her college years.

But she is more selective after graduation, since she views curating her online image as a priority.

"I can tell if a photo has been modified immediately upon seeing it," she says.

"I don't like ones that are too heavily edited. I make moderate modifications. At least my friends are able to recognize me." Dong says this is typical when users know that people familiar with them will see their posts.

"They balance their true selves with their idealized selves when editing."