Look like Julia and Christy?!

Well, you can if you have Photoshop on your computer, and some decent air-bushing skills! L’Oreal are in bother today after the Advertising Standards Agency has upheld  a complaint by Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson and banned two of their brand’s adverts.

You can read the full story here at the Daily Mail – and look at the contrasting pictures of the two stars in volved – actress Julia Roberts, and 90s supermodel Christy Turlington.

Swinson argued that airbrushing creates a false impression of beauty.  She claims the results put pressure on women and young girls who compare themselves unfavourably to the unrealistic images. L’Oréal’s two-page ad featuring Julia Roberts, who is the face of Lancôme, promoted a foundation called Teint Miracle, which it claims creates a ‘natural light’ that emanates from beautiful skin. It was shot by renowned fashion photographer Mario Testino.

The ad for Maybelline featured Christy Turlington promoting a foundation called The Eraser, which is claimed to be an ‘anti-ageing’ product. In the ad, parts of Turlington’s face are shown covered by the foundation while other parts are not, in order to show the effects of the product. Personally I think the anti-ageing claim is the issue on this one – it’s not something a foundation really can be, is it?

L’Oreal admitted that Julia had been retouched – and said her picture was ‘aspirational’. The question of course might be how can anyone aspire to something that isn’t real? I turned 40 last week so anti-ageing has been on my mind!

I like to think I don’t need retouched too much yet, but let’s be honest – it’s a pretty common practice. I recall a few editors who asked for various cover stars at magazines I worked at to be ‘airbrushed of those wrinkles’

I would like to think women would be sensible enough to realise that this sort of thing goes on, and to treat many beauty products claims with a pinch of salt. However, if you are looking for an anti-ageing recommendation, then, rather than a foundation, which is bound to only be curative rather than preventative, I’d suggest a good anti-ageing serum introduced into your skincare routine.

My absolute favourite is Origins Plantscription Anti-Ageing Serum. I reviewed it on my own blog earlier this year. The compliments and comments I have had since I started using it have been amazing. I feel my skin is fresher, brighter, and it gives me such a radiant glow that I don’t even feel the need to use any foundation at all – just a little tinted moisturiser, and some concealer if I feel I need it.

It contains Anogeissus – known as Siiga (meaning ‘the soul’), it’s a rare extract from the leaves and bark of the sacred Anogeissus tree, native to Ghana, West Africa. It is harvested by local tribes as a potent wound healer and antimicrobial. Whatever it is, it seems to work for me!

It’s £46 and the bottle lasts, using it twice a day, around five months – you really don’t need a lot at all. Avalable now at Origins counters and from www.origins.co.uk.

What do you think of the L’Oreal ban and the use of airbrushing in adverts – leave your comments below please!

*NB. Photoshop is available from all good computer software retailers!!