By Ashley Mateo

We are living in the age of the selfie. The word has made it into the dictionary, Scrabble games, and even has its own song. But the perfect selfie itself can actually be quite elusive — and we all have the photo streams full of duplicate shots to prove it. Why, exactly, are we so concerned with self-portraiture? Well, in the digital era, a picture is worth a thousand words. Take online dating: Even OK Cupid admits that your photo is all that matters. On top of that, scientists from the University of York say that it’s possible to predict first impressions of someone solely based on their social media pics. Yikes.

Moral of the story: It’s time to perfect your selfie. Luckily, the only tool you need is already in your pocket, or your purse. There are countless apps out there to help you fine-tune your photos, so we culled the top five. Download them from the app store, and put your best face forward.

Perfect 365: This app’s tools covers all the basics: smoothing skin, zapping blemishes, nixing under-eye circles, whitening teeth and so much more. The key is in the intensity — use the sliding scale to keep yourself from looking too airbrushed or Photoshopped. (There are also dozens of celebrity-inspired makeup pre-sets, if you’re into that kind of thing.) Free, iPhone and Android.

Selfie Cam: You know that awkward moment when you’re fumbling with one hand, trying to press the camera button? And then when you take the pic, you’re doing that bizarre, intense stare because you’re focusing on the camera? No more. Selfie Cam has a rotary-dial control that only needs one thumb to operate, and a self-timer that gives you enough time to get into the perfect position (please, no duckface). Free, iPhone and Android.

CamMe: This app goes one step further, and lets you take hands-free photos of yourself. Prop it up against some kind of surface (the wall, your purse, whatever) two to 16 feet away, then pose, raise your hand and close your fist to activate the camera, and voila! It operates by sensing hand motion, so no more cropping in awkward shots with your inner elbow in the corner. Free, iPhone

YouCam Perfect: Another editing app, YouCam Perfect’s Auto Beautifier instantly touches up your picture — from lightening dark spots to smoothing lines — as soon as you snap the shots, then lets you take it further on your own. The best part: You can erase background objects (like a random stranger or that copy of 50 Shades of Grey on your nightstand) with the app’s object remover. Free, iPhone and Android.

VSCO Cam: This app isn’t designated for selfies, but it will generate the best photos your camera is capable of. The editing tools are the best out there (for free, at least), and let you make post-shot adjustments to the brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness — all the tools you’d find in iPhoto or any desktop editing software. Plus, the filters only enhance the photos, rather than make them look like they were shot in the 1970s. Free, iPhone and Android.

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