When I was younger…This is back before my beloved iPhone or FaceTime, I had to use my parents’ desktop — because it had a mini camera attached to the top — to call family or friends via Oovoo or Skype. The camera quality was less than ideal — mostly pixelated images and the connection sucked.

Which is why it fell off when iPhones roared onto the scene engulfing our lives. And we no longer needed our computers for video calls as often…until the pandemic. When the world stopped and went virtual, and we found ourselves regressing in many ways.

Trends from our pasts resurged: cargo pants, trucker hats, and film cameras all became popular again. We grew nostalgic, seeking comfort in old habits and practices…people baked, wrote letters by hand. And it wasn’t all that different with technology.

We were forced to work from home and go to school remotely, interacting with our peers and coworkers via our screens. Thus began the resurrection of the video chat: Zoom and Skype calls internationally connected those unable to leave their homes. And living in a post-pandemic world demonstrates that we can create hybrid formats — where not every doctor’s call warrants schlepping into the office for an in-person visit. And most work meetings can be conducted in your home office.

@nannymuggins#googlemeet#filters#remotework♬ Lil Boo Thang - Paul Russell

While this leads to a much more convenient lifestyle, it also means you get to slack off a bit. Personally, I wear less makeup, others may have a formal top on but wear leggings or sweatpants that the camera can’t see.

When you’re on camera, there’s more to hide. With the help of virtual meetings, no one can tell if you just rolled out of bed, no one can see how truly vile those under-eye bags are. And with Google Meet’s filter effects, I can blur my imperfections without even brandishing my trusty concealer.

Google announced that by the end of 2023, Google Meet will be rolling out their “highly requested” portrait touch-up features. Now, you’ll be able to lighten your under-eyes, give your teeth a quick whiten, and smooth your complexion with the click of your mouse. Google is featuring two portrait modes: Subtle for a less-obvious face touchup and Smoothing, for those days where you slept two hours and it shows.

@c_hillll However, everyone knows I love my thick eyebrows so this might not be the exact filter for me 😂 #beautyfilter#fakebody#fakeittillyoumakeit#wfh♬ Hey Sexy Lady [Feat. Brian & Tony Gold] - Shaggy

It’s a feature only available to those with Premium Google accounts such as Business Standard and Plus, Enterprise Essentials, Google Workplace, and more. Since TikTok’s already rolled out successful beauty filters that alter and enhance your appearance, this fabulous Google feature is lonnnngggg overdue.

Portrait touch-ups will be fantastic for those who didn’t have time to grab coffee and wake up, or if you can’t be bothered to put on a swipe of mascara before that important morning — or 5pm — meeting.

The beauty filter has been a point of controversy across all apps. While TikTokers feel more confident in their own skin using the touch-ups, some viewers find it to be false advertising. Sure, your makeup will look flawless if there’s a filter…your skin is already blurred.

Pretty soon, we’ll all be making faces at the camera because we’re feeling ourselves again. It’s about putting the “yassified” version of yourself out there…At. All. Times. Because why not look your best? Lazy girl makeup comes to life!

And while I may put myself at risk of being labeled a “catfish” for using the smoothing Effects, I’m sure I’ll never feel more confident. Honestly, there’s no better makeup artist than those beauty filters on your apps…I stand by that.