How to Add Two Filters on TikTok

Ever seen a TikTok that seems to have more than one effect or filter and wondered how they did it? You’re not alone. Layering visual elements is one of the best ways to create a unique look for your videos, but TikTok doesn't offer a simple add another filter button. This article breaks down exactly how to add two filters - and more accurately, how to combine various effects and color filters - to make your content stand out.

First, Let's Clarify: Filters vs. Effects

On TikTok, the terms "filter" and "effect" are often used interchangeably, but they are two different things. Getting this right is the first step to mastering the layered look.

• An Effect is an interactive or augmented reality (AR) overlay. This includes everything from green screens, face-altering beautifying effects, funky glasses, animated backgrounds, and trending games or quizzes that appear on your screen. You apply effects before or during recording.
• A Filter is a simple color overlay that changes the mood or tone of your video, similar to filters on Instagram. These include options like "Vibrant," "Sunset," "Black & White," and so on. You typically apply filters after you've finished recording your clips.

Asking "how to add two filters" can mean one of three things: combining an effect and a filter, stacking two different effects, or using two color filters. The good news is, we'll cover how to handle each scenario.

Method 1: The Simple Combo - Adding an Effect and a Filter

This is the most direct and common way to "layer" two visual elements on TikTok. It’s perfect for when you want to use a trending face effect but also want to give your video a specific color grade or vibe. The process is straightforward and built directly into the app.

Follow these steps:

1. Open the TikTok Camera: Launch the app and tap the plus icon (+) at the bottom center to start a new video.
2. Choose Your Effect: On the left side of the record button, you'll see an icon labeled "Effects." Tap it. Browse through the trending, new, or saved effects and select the one you want to use. This could be anything from the "Bold Glamour" effect to a quirky green screen background.
3. Record Your Video: With the effect active, record your video as you normally would. You can record one clip or multiple segments. When you're done, tap the red checkmark to proceed to the editing screen.
4. Add Your Filter: Now, on the editing screen, look at the vertical menu on the right. Tap the "Filters" icon (it usually looks like three overlapping circles).
5. Select and Adjust: Swipe through the available color filters. You’ll find categories like "Portrait," "Landscape," "Food," and "Vibe." Pick one that complements your effect. Just below the filter options, a slider will appear, allowing you to adjust the intensity from 0 to 100. Lowering the intensity can create a more subtle and professional look.
6. Finish and Post: Once you're happy with your effect-plus-filter combo, hit "Next" to add your caption, hashtags, and post your video.

This method is reliable, easy, and gives you a powerful way to define your visual style without leaving the TikTok app.

Method 2: Stacking Two Effects with the Green Screen Workaround

What if you want to use two effects at the same time? For example, putting a beautifying effect on your face while you’re using a background effect. TikTok doesn't allow you to select two effects at once from the effects panel. But there's a clever workaround that creative users have figured out using the green screen feature. It takes a few extra steps, but it unlocks a new level of creativity.

Here’s how it works:

Part 1: Record the First Video

1. Choose Your First Effect: Open the TikTok camera screen and tap on "Effects." Select the first effect you want to use. This often works best if you choose a background effect, like a cool landscape or an animated pattern.
2. Record a Quick Video: With that first effect active, record a short video. It doesn't need to be your final performance, you just need to capture the effect. Even a few seconds of pointing the camera at a wall will work.
3. Save the Video to Your Phone: This is the most important step. After recording, proceed to the post screen, but instead of posting it, save it to your device. You can do this by setting the "Who can watch this video" to "Only me," then tapping "More options" and ensuring "Save to device" is toggled on before you hit "Post." The video will post privately and save a copy to your camera roll.

Part 2: Create the Final, Layered Video

1. Start a New TikTok: Go back to the main screen and tap the plus icon (+) again. This time, go back into the "Effects" panel.
2. Find the "Green Screen Video" Effect: Search for "Green Screen Video." It’s an incredibly useful effect that shows your face over a video background from your camera roll.
3. Select Your First Video: The green screen effect will prompt you to choose a video from your camera roll. Select the video you just saved with the first effect. It will now become the background of your new TikTok.
4. Now... Add Your Second Effect!: Here’s where the magic happens. While the Green Screen Video effect is active (using your first video as the background), you are still on the record screen. This means you can tap "Effects" again and add a second one on top! Choose a face effect, a distorting filter, or anything else you want to layer over yourself.
5. Record Your Final Performance: With both effects active - one in the background and one on you - record your video. Now you've successfully stacked two effects. Finish editing and post as usual.

Method 3: Go Pro and Layer Anything with a Video Editor

If you find the in-app workarounds limiting or want full control over layering filters, effects, and edits, the ultimate solution is to use a video editing app before uploading your content to TikTok. CapCut, which is owned by the same parent company as TikTok, is the most popular choice as it integrates seamlessly.

Using an external editor allows you to move beyond the limitations of TikTok's interface. You can stack multiple video layers, add multiple color grading filters (known as LUTs in editing software), include custom text animations, and polish your video to a professional standard.

A Brief Walkthrough Using CapCut:

1. Export Your Clips: Record a video of yourself on a solid background (a "greenscreen"). Record another video of the background or cool effect you want to appear behind you.
2. Import into CapCut: Start a new project in CapCut and import both video clips.
3. Use the Overlay Feature: Place your background video on the main timeline. Then, use the "Overlay" feature to add your greenscreen clip on a separate layer on top of it.
4. Remove the Background: Select the overlay clip and use the "Remove Background" or "Chroma Key" tool to make the solid color background transparent, leaving just you.
5. Add Effects and Filters: CapCut has its own vast library of effects and filters. You can now layer as many as you want onto the individual clips or the entire project. You get far more granular control this way.
6. Export and Upload to TikTok: Once you love your edit, export the video in high resolution (1080p is great for TikTok). Then, open TikTok, tap the plus icon (+) and choose "Upload" to select your professionally edited video.

While this method involves an extra app, it gives you unlimited creative freedom and is a common workflow for serious creators and social media marketers who want total brand control over their visual style.

Final Thoughts

Creating standout content on TikTok often means mastering the platform's creative tools in ways others haven't. Whether you're combining a cosmetic effect with a moody color filter, using the clever green screen workaround to stack two AR effects, or editing your video offline for maximum control, layering filters is a surefire way to make your content more unique and engaging.

Once you’ve perfected your signature two-filter TikTok, the next step is sharing it with your audience at the right time. Creative consistency is what builds an audience, but managing all that content across multiple platforms can be draining. We built Postbase for this exact reason. We designed a clean, video-first scheduling tool that lets you plan your TikToks, Reels, and Shorts in a visual calendar, so you can spend more time creating and less time juggling apps and struggling with clunky interfaces.