This week we interviewed the fabulous Faye Dickinson. Faye Dickinson is an Influencer, creator of 'Filter vs Reality' Filter and Author of the upcoming book 'Filter vs Reality'. So far her filter has had over 200 Million impressions and has become popular among influencers and celebrities such as Jessie J, Jen Atkin, Gemma Styles, Jameela Jamil, Romee Strijd, Carmit, Diipa and Catriona Gray! Just like Faye's filter, which shows the filtered versus the real picture, we were interested in getting to know the real person behind the social media stardom!

 
So Faye, tell us how you got started in your career?
Well a few years ago, I started taking pictures, and slowly brands started approaching me for potential collaborations, and now I work with some of the mainstream brands, which is super exciting. It's not an overnight success; you need to work hard and create the best content you can.
 
That's fantastic! What does an average day look like for you?
I wake up around 8 am, drink a pint of water, make myself a healthy breakfast, and then review my intentions for the day ahead. Then go and do a few hours of meaningful and creative work projects. Just before lunch, go through my emails and add anything to my to-do list that needs handling. After lunch, connect with my friends, then hit my to-do list items for an hour or so. In the late afternoon, I like to go for a nice long walk, pick up something fresh for dinner, and enjoy it! After dinner, Netflix and Chill with my Fiancé, you know...?

Your work sounds super exciting! How did you come to create your own Instagram filter?
I wanted to give people a reality check. What you see on Instagram is not real life! You see a side of yourself with dramatic filters that don't exist, which corresponds to an unnatural and inhuman ideal of beauty that you can now achieve with filters. It's so easy to feel insecure like this. I want to remind people not to let these filters fool you.
[caption id="attachment_11428" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Gemma Style using the "Filter Vs Reality" filter[/caption]
 
That's very true and it's great to see social media influencers, like yourself, being honest and open about the realities of the online world. Your filter, "Filter vs Reality", is a really unique concept. Why do you think it's important for us to see both sides – filter and reality?
The idea behind my split-screen filter, "Filter vs Reality", was to create something unique to show people how these dramatic beauty filters rid selfies of skin textures, tones, scars, everything that makes you and how it's affecting our mental health. Don't let these filters fool you; you're unique, beautiful, strong, powerful, loved & worthy without any filter.
[caption id="attachment_11427" align="aligncenter" width="739"] Jessie J using the "Filter Vs Reality" filter[/caption]
 
I love that! Filters can be a lot of fun but it's important not to lose sight of reality. At present, your filter has had over 200 Million impressions and has become popular among the influencers and celebrities such as Jessie J, Jen Atkin, Gemma Styles, Jameela Jamil, Romee Strijd, Carmit, Diipa and Catriona Gray! Congratulations! How does it feel to have created such a popular filter?
I am blown away by the positive response I had since launching the filter, and I never knew we all needed this reality check in our lives. It makes me happy that my filter has made the positive change of 'self-acceptance' in people's lives.
 
I love how your filter represents fun, as well as an important message! Have you felt pressure in your own life to meet unrealistic beauty standards as a result of such filters on social media?
Yes, I certainly have. It's easy to feel insecure, seeing how so much of the content we consume daily is filtered and photoshopped, and everyone looks picture-perfect; it's hard not to point out your flaws, but REAL Is always beautiful.

Absolutely! And are you working on any exciting new projects at the moment? 
Well, I am launching another filter soon, and it will be all about we should move towards the "powerful" place of "self-acceptance". And My first ever book about how social media filters alter our perceptions and rewire our brains, called 'Filter vs Reality', is coming out later this year.

How exciting! That's something to look forward to! Finally, what life or career advice would you give to people who aspire to be like you?
Don't limit yourself to one industry or line of work. Be patient. Be patient, but don't settle. Be focused and do the work. Know what you're worth.
 
You can keep up to date with Faye and try out Filter vs Reality by Faye Dickinson over on Instagram:
Website: www.fayedickinson.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/fayedickinsonx

---

Thank you so much to Faye Dickinson for this wonderful, inspiring interview! Don't forget to try out her filter if you haven't already done so!

---