The desire to look attractive in photographs is absolutely natural for any person, and modern technologies make it possible to correct visual imperfections without a visit to a plastic surgeon. Smartphones based on the operating system Android offer a wide range of tools for editing portraits, from built-in gallery functions to powerful neural networks in third-party editors.
In this article we will look in detail at what algorithms are used to change facial geometry and how to achieve a result that does not look like a caricature. You will learn about the specifics of working with liquify effects, depth of field settings and proper lighting, which in itself can visually narrow the oval.
The retouching process requires care, since excessive distortion of proportions immediately catches the eye and spoils the overall impression of the photo. We will look at step-by-step guide for the most popular applications, compare their capabilities and give tips on preserving the natural texture of the skin during a strong transformation.
Using built-in gallery editors
Most modern smartphones, be they flagships from Samsung, Xiaomi or Google Pixel, are equipped with advanced built-in editors images. These tools are often hidden behind the pencil or magic wand icon in the photo viewing interface and do not require the installation of additional software.
To start correction, you need to open the image in the gallery and select editing mode. In the tools menu, you should look for a section that may be called Plastic, Face or Retouching. This is where the sliders are located that are responsible for changing the shape of the chin, cheekbones and jaw line.
The work algorithms of the built-in editors are based on recognizing key points of the face. The system automatically detects contours, allowing the user to move them with a finger or adjust the degree of change via a slider. It is important not to overdo it, as aggressive compression can lead to background blur or distortion of the ears and neck.
⚠️ Warning: The built-in algorithms of some budget models may work less accurately than in flagships, creating artifacts at the boundaries of the face and background. Check the result at maximum magnification.
If your smartphone does not have automatic face recognition, use the manual deformation tool. It works like a brush: you select the size of the tool and gently “push” the contours of the face inward. This method requires a steady hand and good vision, but gives complete control over the result.
Always make a copy of the original file before you begin editing. Built-in editors sometimes save changes on top of the original, and it may be impossible to return the source without a backup copy.
Top applications for correcting facial oval
When the capabilities of the standard gallery are not enough, specialized applications from Google Playcome to the rescue. The market is oversaturated with solutions, but only a few of them provide high-quality retouching without loss of image resolution.
One of the leaders in this niche is the application FaceTune, which provides professional tools for working with geometry. It allows you not only to lose weight, but also to correct asymmetry, which often makes the face visually slimmer and more harmonious.
Another popular option is AirBrush, offering an intuitive interface and a set of ready-made presets. For those who prefer automation, this is suitable BeautyPlus, where the "thin face" function is often activated with one touch thanks to powerful AI algorithms.
- 📱 FaceTune - professional accuracy and work with layers.
- ✨ AirBrush - balance between simplicity and quality of processing.
- 🤖 BeautyPlus - full automation and social filters.
- 🎨 PicsArt —a universal combine with the “Stretch/Shrink” tool.
When choosing an application, pay attention to the presence of watermarks in the free version. Often, developers limit access to the most powerful tools plastics, offering a subscription for full functionality.
Step-by-step guide for working with plastic
Regardless of the selected application, the general principle of working with shape changing tools remains similar. Understanding the editor's logic will help you avoid common mistakes and get a natural result in a couple of minutes.
First, import the photo into the application and find the tool, usually indicated by a face or grid icon. In some apps it is hidden in the submenu Tools → Plastic. Activate manual or automatic correction mode depending on your tasks.
☑️ Ideal correction algorithm
For manual correction, use your finger as a brush. Movements should be smooth and directed from the edges of the face to the center. Don't try to change the shape in one pass; It’s better to make a few light touches, gradually increasing the effect. This will allow you to control the degree of change in real time.
Pay special attention to the area of the neck and collarbones. Often visual slimming of the face is achieved by emphasizing the jaw line and eliminating the double chin. Tools smoothing can help remove shadows in this area, making the transition smoother.
⚠️ Attention: Avoid touching the background when using the manual warp tool. Distortion of the lines of tiles, wallpaper or interior items will immediately reveal the fact that the photo has been processed.
After completing work with the form, be sure to apply light sharpening (sharpening) to the contours of the face. This will restore the clarity of the boundaries that could have been lost in the process of stretching the pixels.
The role of neural networks and artificial intelligence
Modern image processing methods increasingly rely on neural networkswhich are able to analyze the scene much deeper than traditional algorithms. Unlike simple plastic surgery, AI understands the three-dimensional structure of the face and can redraw shadows and light to create volume.
AI-enabled applications, such as Remini or new functions in Google Photoscan not just shift pixels, but generate new skin texture and change lighting. This allows you to make your face thinner, simulating the effect of studio light, which naturally hides imperfections.
How does AI retouching work?
The neural network is trained on millions of photographs and knows how the face should look in certain lighting. When you apply a slimming filter, the AI doesn't just compress the image, but redraws the shadows on the cheeks and chin, creating the illusion that the light hits differently, emphasizing the cheekbones. This makes the result much more realistic than simple geometric distortion.
The use of artificial intelligence is especially effective when working with low-quality photographs or photographs taken in poor lighting. The algorithm can simultaneously remove noise, increase detail and correct proportions, performing a comprehensive portrait restoration.
However, it is worth remembering that automatic algorithms can sometimes make mistakes in recognizing features, especially if a person wears glasses, has a thick beard or an unusual hairstyle. In such cases, it is recommended to use a hybrid approach: first apply AI enhancement and then manually correct the details.
Comparison of popular editing tools
To help you choose the optimal solution, we have compiled a comparison table of the key characteristics of popular applications and built-in tools. These parameters are important for understanding which tool is best suited for your specific tasks.
| Tool | Processing type | Complexity | Result quality | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gallery Samsung/Xiaomi | Automatic/Manual | Low | Medium | Free |
| FaceTune | Professional manual | High | Excellent | Subscription |
| BeautyPlus | Full automatic (AI) | Very low | Good | Freemium |
| PicsArt | Manual deformation | Average | Depends on skill | Freemium |
As can be seen from the table, built-in tools are superior in accessibility, but are inferior to specialized applications in flexibility of settings. Paid solutions like FaceTune provide maximum control, allowing you to edit individual zones with pixel precision.
For one-time tasks or quick publication on social networks, free versions with automatic filters are quite sufficient. If you are serious about mobile photography, you should master complex manual plastic tools.
The choice of tool depends on your goal: for a quick selfie on Instagram, an auto filter will be enough, but for a portfolio or serious retouching you will need manual mode and an understanding of facial anatomy.
Tips for shooting for visual weight loss
The best retouching is the one that wasn’t needed. The correct shooting technique can visually make the face narrower and slimmer even before the processing stage in the editor. Understanding optics and working with angles will save you time and keep your shot looking natural.
The first rule is to avoid wide-angle lenses at close range. The smartphone camera, especially the front one, has a wide field of view, which leads to barrel distortion. The nose and center of the face appear larger, and the ears and edges of the face “go” back, which visually expands the oval.
Use the zoom or move further away from the subject. Shooting with the main camera module at 2x or 3x zoom gives a flatter, more accurate perspective that naturally slims the face. This is a physical property of optics that cannot be completely corrected with software.
- 📸 Shoot from eye level or slightly higher - this angle emphasizes the cheekbones and removes the double chin.
- 💡 Use side light - hard shadows on the sides of the face visually narrow its shape.
- 🙅♂️ Avoid direct light on the forehead - it evens out the relief and makes the face flat and wide.
It is also worth paying attention to the position of the head. A slight tilt to the side or a three-quarter turn always looks better than a full-on view. This is a classic portrait photography technique that works flawlessly.
⚠️ Note: Application interfaces and feature names may change with software updates. If you do not find the described tool, try using the search inside the application or check the "Help" section.
Frequently asked questions about photo editing
Is it possible to make your face thinner on video in real time?
Yes, many applications for video calling and video recording (like Snapchat, TikTok or built-in cameras with “Beauty” mode) have filters that change the shape of the face in real time. However, the quality of such processing is usually lower than when post-processing a static photo, and may look unnatural with active head movements.
Why does the background become crooked after losing weight on the face?
This happens because the plasticizing tool shifts the pixels of the entire image, not just the face. If the background contains straight lines (tiles, door frames), their distortion becomes noticeable. To avoid this, use applications with a masking function or work very carefully with a small-radius brush.
Does editing degrade the quality of a photo?
Any editing associated with geometric transformation (compression, stretching) inevitably leads to a microscopic loss of detail and interpolation of pixels. With moderate use, this is not noticeable, but with severe distortion, “soap” or blur may appear at the boundaries of the processed zones.
Is it safe to upload photos to online editors?
Most popular applications comply with the privacy policy and process data locally on the device. However, when using little-known online services, you should carefully read the terms of use, since your biometric data (face photo) can be used to train their algorithms.
How to remove the “doll face” effect after retouching?
The unnatural effect occurs due to violation of proportions and excessive smoothing of the skin. Try reducing the intensity of the effect to 30-40% instead of 100%, add a little texture or noise back to the skin and check that the ears and neck are not distorted relative to the head.