The practical answer
Use a clear, unfiltered photo taken straight on, with the camera at eye level and even light across your face. Keep your hairline and jaw visible. For comparisons, repeat the same setup rather than choosing a more flattering angle.
1. Find even light
Try facing a window in indirect daylight. Check that both sides of your face are visible and that a bright window is not directly behind you. You do not need a studio or a special lamp.
Before uploading, look at the photo itself. If one cheek is lost in shadow, your forehead is washed out, or the jaw blends into the background, change your position and take another photo. The report can only work with details present in the image.
2. Keep the camera level
Place the camera around eye level and look straight ahead. A photo taken from above or below gives a different view of your features. Keep your expression relaxed rather than deliberately tightening your jaw or lifting your eyebrows.
Avoid holding a wide-angle camera very close to your face. Try moving the camera farther away, then crop the image while keeping enough detail. The goal is a clear reference photo, not a particular camera setting or a supposedly perfect selfie distance.
3. Show what you want analysed
Include your whole face, hairline and chin. If you want feedback on your haircut, keep the top and sides of your hair in the frame. A hat, sunglasses or a heavy filter can hide the details the report needs.
Use a recent photo of yourself. A group photo, a screenshot with a tiny face or an old image from before your current haircut makes the recommendations less useful.
- One person, facing the camera.
- Hairline, cheeks and jaw visible.
- No beauty filter or deliberate retouching.
- Enough sharpness to see the hair and facial outline.
- JPG, PNG or WebP, up to 5 MB for a Betters.life upload.
4. Keep a repeatable baseline
If you scan again after a haircut or a grooming change, use the same room, camera position, framing and expression where possible. Save a short note about the setup so you can recreate it.
A higher score on a brighter or differently angled photo does not prove that your appearance improved. Read the observations alongside the images. When several conditions changed at once, treat the comparison as a new reference rather than a controlled test.
When should you retake the photo?
Retake it when the report describes something you cannot see, misreads an obstruction, or leaves an important category unassessed. First check for blur, strong shadows, an unusual angle or hidden hair.
Even a clear photo does not turn a style estimate into a precise measurement. If you already have a usable reference, repeatedly scanning near-identical selfies is unlikely to give you a better practical next step. Pick one recommendation to assess instead.
Common questions
Do I need a professional camera?
No. A clear phone photo is a practical starting point. Pay attention to the light, framing and camera position before buying any equipment.
Should I use my most flattering selfie?
Choose a clear, representative photo. For comparisons, a repeatable setup is more useful than a different flattering angle each time.