Unattainable images of women tease my Instagram feed.
Prepaid influencers advertise products that promise to “drop 14lb in 4 weeks” and appetite-suppressants litter my explore page.
But what effect does this have on the influencers themselves?
I met Love Island ’s Megan Barton-Hanson , 25, who has 1.8million online followers, at the Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch, East London.
Q: Have you experienced days when you felt negative about your body?
Megan: Women are never 100% happy. I’ve days where I feel amazing or I’ve put on an outfit, and I’m like, “Oh, God!” Or it doesn’t even do up.
Q: How did you cope with these days?
Megan: Look at the bigger picture, life goes on. There’s more to care about than looks. I focus on something else.
Q: How do you feel good in your skin?
Megan: I do yoga, exercising, eating well, going to the gym because if I ate McDonald’s and felt sorry for myself, that would not feel good. I’m not a gym freak. Everything in moderation.
Q: Why did you have surgery?
Megan: At school kids can be so nasty. It was getting to me every day. I’d tie my hair back and my ears stuck out. Boys would make comments.
Q: Was it a difficult decision?
Megan: It was difficult convincing my mum. She’s like, you’re so young, you won’t care, it’s only because you’re going through that awkward teenage stage. When she saw how much it was bothering me, it was a no-brainer.
Q: What would you say to a person if they felt that need to have surgery?
Megan: Ensure you’re doing it for you. It takes time to research a surgeon, know the risks. Every morning I woke up and didn’t feel good. Looking in the mirror was painful almost.
Q: Do you use makeup to appeal to your audience?
Megan: I use makeup to appeal to me. Image is a big part of my job, but I’ll have days where I don’t wear any.
Q: As a feminist you are comfortable posting revealing images. Do you use them to empower women?
Megan: I know my girlfriends are going to pay more attention to how I’ve done my makeup, my hair, men don’t look so deeply. It’s more about making myself feel good. We shouldn’t tear each other down. If I see a beautiful woman, I’m like, you’re amazing.
Q: What about people like Piers Morgan criticising revealing pics?
Megan: Is he a woman?
Q: What are your thoughts on plus size models such as Ashley Graham?
Megan: She is amazing. You can see her cellulite , and I’ve got loads of cellulite, and it makes me feel more comfortable that she’s so open.
Q: By wearing sponsored clothes, do you worry it presents the idea of a “perfect girl”?
Megan: It’s been my main focus since leaving the villa to only post things I genuinely like or believe in.
Q: Have you rejected a sponsored ad?
Megan: Yeah, loads, if it’s not something I’d wear. I’ve got veneers, so I don’t need to work on my teeth.
Q: Do you think promoting lavish lifestyles affects your fans?
Megan: Yeah, I mean I’ve had it myself. I post when I go to award ceremonies and when I’ve my hair and makeup done, but I keep it real. When I broke up with my ex I posted me crying in bed. I have days when I feel completely alone, I try and get the balance right.
Q: You’ve said you’re “far from fixed”, is it important to show imperfections?
Megan: Definitely. I get guilty because I’ve been given this amazing opportunity, why am I feeling down?
Q: How do the pressures in social media affect your daily life?
Megan: Like everybody, I’m guilty of comparing myself to others. That’s the biggest downfall in social media.
Q: Do you learn to deal with it?
Megan: Yeah. An hour before I go to bed, I try not to be on Instagram .
Q: You’re happy to admit when you’ve photoshopped images. Is it important to ensure your audience knows?
Megan: Yeah. Before Love Island, if I had a pimple, I’d airbrush that out. I’m not saying don’t retouch, but don’t set unrealistic expectations for girls.
Q: Do you feel a responsibility to young people on social media?
Megan:100%. I know how insecure and self-conscious I felt.
Q: What were you like as a teenager?
Megan: Awkward, geeky, massive glasses and braces. I was so shy. You get more confident, therapy helped.
