Every selfie-taker will know all about the wonders of Instagram’s story filters. Whether they’re beauty augmenting or colour enhancing, an Instagram filter can up your selfie game to a new level of perfection.

One of the filters circling the web, is ‘Sasha Sparkling Glam’ – a beauty filter that gives you glass skin and a glammed up makeup look. Ariana Grande, Romee Strijd and Kelly Brook are just a few of the celebs using the sparkly filter.

We spoke to Sasha Ray, the Dubai-based influencer, about her game-changing filter and the effects of using them.

Cosmo ME: Where did you get inspiration for your filters?

Sasha Ray: I started developing them in my own imagination mostly. I was searching for a perfect filter for my daily use because I am active on social media and don’t always have time for glam. When it comes to filters, I was interested in make-up, complexion and skin texture smoothing. I knew exactly what I wanted by figuring out what effects other existing filters had at the time. It was long before filters were so popular and the selection was not as impressive. I believe that with social media, it’s important to follow a trend early and introduce exclusive features no one else has.

C: Why did you create the Sasha Sparkling Glam?

SR: It is just like with designers starting their own clothing line because they can’t find what they want – I couldn’t find the right filter for me. I didn’t like how most of them distorted my features, it was just hard to accept myself like that. I knew that I wanted to look tan (I love it when my skin is sunkissed, but never have the time to actually sunbathe, AND there’s a huge need for an SPF when you’re in Dubai). So I combined both slight skin smoothing and really bright sparkles. I should say, filters are a great way to promote your profile, because once an influencer uses them, they go viral. If a filter is successful, that’s how many Instagram users discover you.

C: How did it feel seeing celebrities like Ariana Grande use your filter on Instagram?

SR: I was shocked to see top celebs using my filter, I couldn’t imagine that a filter can reach all corners of the world so fast and I literally haven’t done anything for it. It is interesting how it just spreads after your friends and followers start posting it!

View this post on Instagram

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A post shared by Ariana Grande (@arianagrande) on Jul 7, 2020 at 5:33pm PDT

C: If you could see any other celebrity use your filter, who would it be?

SR: I would love to see Jennifer Lopez wear it, she is a true idol for me. Hope she is reading this and will try it on!

C: What are your favourite Instagram filters?

SR: I love ‘Sparkle Glam’ the most if you mean my own filters, but I also like the ones from Paige Piskin and Jeph Araujo, you should absolutely try them!

C: Do you think girls feel more pressure to look perfect on social media, like Instagram, than they do in real life?

SR: Absolutely! Being a visual platform, Instagram has certain standards. Fortunately, they are easily achievable with all the filters and retouch apps, but I believe you should watch out to not go too far with distorting your reality for Instagram. Another trend I can see right now are brutally honest accounts with all the details that are considered to be imperfections by modern culture. I think there is a thin line between showing your flaws and being a digitally enhanced version of who you are not.

C: Filters help girls feel more confident when posting photos. Do you ever worry that by using beauty-enhancing filters too much, girls could feel more pressured to look perfect and fit the stereotypical beauty standards in real life?

SR: I think everyone is well aware of the fact that social media and real life are different realms. Nobody will neither expect you to walk around with shiny sparkles in your hair, or think your skin always has to look flawless. I believe that filters can make your stories look fun and interesting to watch. Also, they are a huge time-saver for girls who never have time to do their make-up, but still want to create a certain image or add to their personal brands on social media.

C: Do you think it is more important for women to look a certain way in Dubai than other places because Dubai is known for being excessively glamorous?

SR: I definitely agree with this, in Dubai it’s kind of a must to always look flawless and shiny, it is a common culture and you have to just accept it.

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Find Sasha’s Instagram here to see all her filters.