As someone else mentioned, focal length and distance.

The mirror, if flat, reflects pretty much what's there, regardless of how far away it is. It should generally give a fairly true reflection.

The selfie camera (and all phone cameras) is a very wide-angle lens, so if you're close to it, it's more like looking at your reflection in the back of a spoon.

It makes your nose bigger, the middle of your face swell up, your chin bigger or smaller depending on head tilt, and your ears disappear round the back of your head.

Example:

Diagram of camera lenses between 12mm and 200mm

Telephone cameras are generally equivalent to between 12mm and 30mm on an actual camera.

Another way of explaining it is on the normal phone camera, take a photo really close to an object, then take a few steps back and zoom in until the main part of the image is the same size in frame, and take another photo. Compare the two. The weird, swollen looking one is what your selfie camera does.

Proximity and short focal length deforms your features

Basically you're always adjusting when looking in a mirror, so you always see the best. The camera takes an instant snapshot, no matter if you're ready or not.

Have you tried a video? Maybe it's the motion.

I feel like this is universal, hence "the camera adds 10 pounds." I like my face in the mirror, but I've never liked any picture of it.

Yeahhh

but everyone else is cute 🥺

Album before HRT: Dogs and food Album after HRT: Me and girls

i bet you're hot ;3

would <3