Find Out Why This Ridiculous Instagram App Is So Cool Facebook Bought It

Update: This app was so popular that Facebook has bought it [1]. Not to worry — the app will still be available in the app store for you to play around with. Find out what the hype was all about below.

Original story: If you've ever wanted to know what your babies with Leonardo DiCaprio [2] would look like, now is your chance. Using a free app called MSQRD.me [3] (think "masquerade"), you can transform your selfies with a variety of filter options, ranging from Darth Maul to a polar bear to Leo. The entertaining camera tool, which operates like a more intuitive version of Snapchat's face-distorting filters, is quickly taking over Instagram — celebrities like Cara Delevingne [4] can't get enough! So naturally, upon discovering the types of ridiculous effects made possible with the app, I decided to download MSQRD and try it out for myself.

The filtering tool is refreshingly easy to use, with near-instant facial recognition and simple sharing options for videos and selfies. According to the app (currenlty available just for iOS), more filters are in development and set to launch soon; in the meantime, I tried out some of the most hilarious options currently available. Here are some of my favorite results from this mid-workday selfie session! (But a word to the wise before attempting this at home . . . seeing yourself as Donald Trump [5] may cause permanent emotional damage.)