Instagram Update Adds Face Filters To Complete Its Snapchat Transformation

A new Instagram update includes even more Snapchat-like face filters for Instagram Stories. The new feature is also accompanied by a new creative tool for capturing videos in reverse.

Instagram’s new face filters will work for both the rear- and front-facing cameras on a user’s smartphone. This new feature will only work once users update their Instagram app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.

The filters can be found by opening the Instagram Stories camera and tapping the new face icon on the bottom right corner just beside the camera switcher. As of now, there are only eight face filters to choose from.

The new face filters for Instagram Stories will be able to work on taking photos, videos and even Boomerangs. After taking a selfie, users can share it to their friends via Instagram Direct or share it more widely on Instagram Stories.

“Today, we’re introducing face filters in the camera, an easy way to turn an ordinary selfie into something fun and entertaining,” Instagram said on its blog. “Whether you’re sitting on the couch at home or you’re out and about, you can use face filters to express yourself and have playful conversations with friends.”

With the addition of face filters on the Instagram app, Instagram appears to have completed its journey to directly rival Snapchat. Snapchat, of course, popularized the augmented reality tech that is able to map and apply animations to users’ faces after it acquired the tech from the startup Looksery in 2015, according The Verge.

In 2016, Facebook, which currently owns Instagram, also bought MSQRD, a Belarusian startup that also specializes in the same kind of augmented reality tech. Facebook then went ahead and added MSQRD’s tech onto Facebook Stories just this past March.

The addition of face filters on Instagram was inevitable to say the least. Facebook has aggressively been copying Snapchat’s core features in an attempt to slow down Snap Inc's momentum, as pointed out by Recode.

In addition to face filters, Instagram has also added a new tool for shooting videos in reverse. Simply called Rewind, the new feature can be found right in the middle of Boomerang mode and Hands-Free mode. Taking a Rewind video is the same as taking a regular video. Users will just have to press and hold the shutter button to take a video. Videos captured on Rewind mode will only play backwards.

Another thing that’s been added to Instagram is the ability to add hashtag “stickers” to photos and videos for Instagram Stories. Users that tap on the hashtag stickers can quickly explore other content that uses the same hashtag.

Lastly, Instagram has also added an eraser brush when using the drawing tools. “You can erase other things you’ve drawn and play around with removing color,” Instagram said. “After you’ve taken a photo or video, select a drawing tool and tap and hold to fill the entire screen with color. Then, using the eraser brush, you can creatively reveal parts of your photo or video underneath.”