Here’s how to create your Facebook Avatar in a few simple steps

From Apple’s Memoji to Snapchat’s Bitmoji, avatars have become a super common way to express our emotions. Rather than sending the standard emoji, a cartoon version of yourself gets the point across way better.

And now, a similar form of expression is available on Facebook. Simply known as avatars, the social media platform launched the feature in the U.S. in early May.

When creating your own avatar, you can customize its facial features, body type, and outfit to truly make it look identical to you. Then, you can use it to react to Facebook comments, posts, and Messenger.

And, since the feature is already integrated into Facebook’s mobile app, the entire setup process is super easy. Here’s how to bring your Facebook avatar to life in a few steps.

1.) Open the Facebook app

Unfortunately, there’s currently no way to create an avatar on desktop, so you’ll have to download Facebook’s mobile app. But once you’ve saved it, you’re able to access it through the web browser.

On the Facebook app, tap on the Menu icon in the lower right-hand corner. Then, scroll down and tap on the “See More” tab where you’ll see the option for “Avatars.”  

2.) Choose your facial features 

When creating your avatar, you can get super specific with details to really make sure it looks just like you. 

To keep you from looking back and forth in the mirror to double check what you look like, Facebook built-in a handy dandy feature that allows you to pull up the selfie cam. 

That way, you can compare your avatar to your real self simultaneously.

To start, you’ll have to first select your skin tone before moving on to other facial features. Then, you can pick from different hairstyles, shapes for your face, eyes, and nose. You can also customize the color of your eyes, add some makeup, and facial hair. 

While the customization options don’t allow you to get too detailed, you can add features like freckles or beauty marks and forehead or mouth lines. 

3.) Pick your fit

For the finishing touches, you’ll pick from different body types and outfits. 

Although, the apparel is a bit limited in terms of options, there are a range of different styles like casual, athletic, or formal. Let’s hope Facebook will let us edit parts of the outfit in the future, though.

There are also some pieces of headwear to choose from like a beret, hijab, or baseball hat. You can  even throw on a headband with cat ears, if that’s more your style.

4.) Send it away

Once you’re all done, just hit the check mark icon in the corner of the screen to save your new little avatar. 

From there, you can access tons of different versions under the sticker icon via the comment box on Facebook or the text box on Messenger. All you have to do is click on whichever one matches your mood at that moment and send it.

And don’t worry, if you’ve suddenly decided to give yourself a full-blown makeover in quarantine, you have the ability to edit your Facebook avatar any time you’d like.