THE FASCINATING WAY FASHION BLOGGERS EDIT THEIR INSTAGRAMS

If you feel like your Instagram feed can't keep up with today's top fashion bloggers, you're definitely not alone. Fashion bloggers (or Instagram ninjas, depending on how you look at it) have the life-skill of making every photo look like it belongs in an editorial—from selfies to outfit of the day posts to brunch dishes that probably photograph better than you. And the always prevalent question is: how in the world do they do it?

The always chic and selfie-ready Marianna Hewitt, of LifeWithMe.com, took to her blog to share a behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating process behind editing her Instagram photos. If you thought throwing a Valencia filter on your photo was cutting it, you've been doing it wrong this whole time. Marianna walks you through the step-by-step process and apps that she uses, including FaceTune, VSCO Cam and Faded, to get her photos just right—and to keep them all cohesive on her feed.

We are all players in the filter game. But sometimes even Instagram’s pretty fail-proof selection of 19 filters can let a girl down. At AWA we’ve carefully curated and reviewed some of the best filter apps in the market ATM.
Sorry, not sorry, for adding to the already agonizing amount of time you likely spend picking that perfect filter.

1. AFTERLIGHT

A Hollywood celeb favorite, this app is a best kept secret. It lets you freely choose a filter based on your day’s tone. Feeling ethereal and glowy? Perhaps, a bit of vintage glam? Or just plain moody, dark maven? This app’s got your back – without letting your followers (ahem, fans) know the lengths you have gone to filter. Pssst, our fave blogger Negin Mirsalehi swears by this app for her instagram pictures too (you’re welcome!)

2. FACETUNE

FaceTune is a powerful photo editing app that is less difficult/expensive than Photoshop (you still have to pay $3.99 for it) but just as effective to give that Photoshopped perfection. With 6 enhancement tools – Crop, Whiten, Smooth, Details, Reshape, Patch, Tones, Red Eye and Defocis – this app, with a bit of practice, will be your new virtual BFF. Of course, like all apps on our Holy Grail List of Apps, it comes with a set of filters. A word of caution: the line between fun and filtering and overly filtered is a thin line. So, even though with this app you can bring in your waist, remove moles, make your nose smaller and change skin tone – play with caution and a light touch!

3. PICSART

Just like a Beauty Blender is a staple in giving you the flawless you crave and deserve, this multi-featured app lets you not only apply very unique filters (it even comes with an HD filter that super amps your picture) but it also lets you do a bit of covert Photoshopping. Flyaway? Unsightly stain? Chipped manicure? This app’s got the tools you need.

4. LOUBOUTINIZE

This newly launched app is the most useless fun you’ll have. It only had three filters at the time of our review but we’re drawn to all things Louboutin. The first filter ‘rouge’ applies Louboutin’s signature red tint to your entire photo leaving it look like a horror film scene aftermath. The second one ‘crystallize’ is reminiscient of broken glass and the third filter ‘legs’ is a hilariously useless feature that lets you add a sexy pair of legs to a picture of your choice. We’re adding it to this list because – well, it’s Louboutin. And also because we hear some fantastic filters will be released each month. You heard it here first. xoxo.