Although we're reluctant to admit it, we can't go a day without checking our Instagram feed. Hell, we can't even go an hour. The digital word has made us legit obsessed with pretty, square snapshots of just about anything.
So, who's interested in upping their Instagram game? Erm, always.
We've researched all the apps used by the Insta famous - from photo editors, to theme planners and every other secret tool in-between. So, if you are an Instagram lover, you need to download these Insta-aides lickety split.
Our Instagram feeds are basically full to the hilt with fashion and beauty inspo, but you can only screen grab so many and the old like-for-later never really works does it?
*Sigh*
But what do you do when you spot some covetable custom-denim that you'd legitimately sell a kidney for? Do you Insta stalk for shopping clues, Google all the key words you can dream up in the hope to happen upon it or politely slide into someone's DM's to get a tip-off?
Say hello to LIKEtoKNOW.it, an app sent directly from the Insta gods, which allows you to immediately shop your screenshots. We can hear the chorus of singing angels.
Simply sign up for free (yes free), and whenever you screenshot an image from your favourite Insta-babe who has signed up to the network, it will notify you. Giving you the blessed info of where each product is from AND the links to instantly buy them. You're welcome.
Ever looked at a selfie on Instagram and thought, 'how on earth is their skin so freaking flawless!?' Well, it's not that £200 face cream, or vampire facial, it is actually just an app.
FaceTune is basically Photoshop for your phone, and is the secret weapon behind the perfect snap. For starters, its smoothing tool makes your skin look as smooth as a baby's bottom, but you can also enhance details such as your eyes or make-up to really make it pop.
Side note: Beware going ham on this app. An OTT approach will have your image looking like Melania Trump's official portrait.
Ask any popular Instagrammer what app is their fave for photo editing and you will always get the same answer: VSCO Cam.
The app has a dreamy selection of contemporary filters that can take any image from very average, to vibrant in seconds (it will also make Valencia a thing of the past). The pre-set filters also mean you can easily add uniformity to your images, for all your Instagram theme needs.
Download the app and you'll soon be having the very real dilemma of whether to choose filter H1 or A2. Yeah, we know, first world problems.
Talking of Instagram themes, are you a bit of a neat freak? You know what we're talking about, the squares have to match perfectly, you're a sucker for everything being matchy-matchy. Plus, you've had sleepless nights because your feed was looking ever so slightly 'off.'
Sound familiar? Then you need UNUM, an Instagrammer's best friend.
The app is a layout tool, which has the same configuration as Instagram. It allows you to upload potential images into the grid and play about with their placement, meaning you can create that perfect Instagram theme. Yeah we know, it's a perfectionist's heaven.
Is Instagram's new algorithm kicking you in the crotch? We feel ya girl.
Insta's new update means your feed no longer shows you the images in real time, meaning it's very difficult for snaps to get the same reach as they once did (let's out small sob).
So, after carefully shooting, editing and planning our next Insta masterpiece it may not actually be being seen. Erm, WTF?
In order to stop the algorithm from killing your hopes and dreams, it's key to know what is the most popular time to post your pics. Prepare for things to get sciency, we're talking data, analytics, numbers - the whole shebang.
So, hook your Instagram up to When To Post, which will tell you your key upload times (because 5pm on a Wednesday isn't the 'it' time for everyone) and you will quickly see your interaction soar. After all, timing is everything.
Discovered your prime time to post is really inconvenient? Don't worry, we got you sorted.
Later will allow you to manage and pre-schedule your Instagram posts. Saving you hassle, stress, and most importantly giving us a much needed break from Instagram and our iPhone so that we can go and enjoy the real world.
