Airbrushing..... is it legal? Or even nice?

There's been a lot of buzz these days about the response to airbrushed photos. Growing up with a family member who was a supermodel, I've always been keenly aware that the photos we see in magazines are not reality. Sadly. however, it didn't make me want to look like them any less. The reshaping of women's (and men's) bodies through graphic contouring, the shading of nonexistent muscles, and the reduction of unsightly bulges has probably contributed more to the problems of body dysmorphic disorder, anorexia, bulimia, and the overprescription and overuse of diet pills, nutritional supplements, and "natural" weight-loss products than any other behavior in our society. But that's neither here nor there.

The question at hand today has to do with facial photos, particularly those that advertise skin care products. Is it fair to show a consumer an ad for a moisturizer that features an individual who has clearly used Botox, Restylane, Juvederm, and God knows what else to create that youthful, firm skin... the same skin that the manufacturer seems to imply is due solely to the product being advertised? How is that NOT false advertising? Julia Roberts is 43.... do we really think this comes from just cold cream?



Andie MacDowell's 52.... REALLY????



Several years ago, I made the decision to give Botox a try, primarily because, in the long run, it was cheaper than what I was spending on all the various creams, masks, serums, and cleansers. When people ask me how I still look so young, I tell them I use Botox. If I told them it was due to my moisturizer, wouldn't I be lying? How come it's lying for me but not for the skin care manufacturers? We have a whole host of regulations against false advertising, but somehow this isn't that? I call bulls**t.

And, by the way, as sad as it is that we place such a high value on physical beauty, why are we compelled to leep the tools we do have a secret, so that those who haven't locked on to the scam just end up feeling wholly inadequate and un-"fix"-able? It's like "Mean Girls" for grown-ups. Come on, ladies (and men), let's at least be honest with each other. If there are good products that are being used, let's share the wealth, but let's not try to mislead each other into believing that we don't color our gray hair, get professional help for our wrinkles, and occasionally have to eat salad for a week to get into our Friday night outfit. Dishonest!



Love it. Thanks, Debenham's!