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Photoshopped Julia Roberts advert banned in UK

Trevor Mogg By

julia roberts

Following complaints from a British lawmaker, the country's Advertising Standards Authority has decided to ban an advert for cosmetics featuring a digitally enhanced picture of movie star Julia Roberts.

Julia Roberts can’t have been pleased. An advertisement in the UK featuring her face has just been banned by the country’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA). Not because her face is in any way offensive, you’ll understand, but because the ASA decided it could have been airbrushed to such an extent that it falsely represented the L’Oreal cosmetic product the advert was recommending.

Another L’Oreal advert, this one featuring model Christy Turlington, also met with the same fate.

A Reuter’s report said that the ASA’s decision came following complaints from British lawmaker Jo Swinson, who said that, due to excessive Photoshopping of the images, the adverts were misleading.

“Excessive airbrushing and digital manipulation techniques have become the norm, but both Christy Turlington and Julia Roberts are naturally beautiful women who don’t need retouching to look great,” she said.

According to the LA Times, the Julia Roberts advert featured a new Lancome product, Teint Miracle foundation. Turlington’s advert showed a product called The Eraser by Maybelline. Both Lancome and Maybelline are owned by L’Oreal.

The ASA’s chief executive, Guy Parker, explained the advertising authority’s stance on retouching when it comes to adverts for cosmetics: “Advertisers must be able to provide appropriate material to us to demonstrate what retouching they’ve done in the event we question them, and they mustn’t mislead.” He continued: “In this event, L’Oreal didn’t provide us with that evidence so we were left with no choice but to uphold the complaint.”

Interestingly, the cosmetic giant was not able to give the ASA a pre-manipulated photo of Roberts as her contract insists that no un-airbrushed shots can be released.

L’Oreal admitted to retouching the photos, but at the same time claimed the products could produce the results shown – which rather begs the question: “So why did you retouch the photos then?”

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Showing 81 comments

  1. Rusty Shackleford at 9:54am 28th July 2011 "her contract insists that no un-airbrushed shots can be released."I have to wonder what kind of hideous monstrosity is hiding behind 30 coats of makeup and hours of Photoshop work. What the hell does Julia Roberts look like these days?
  2. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  3. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  4. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  5. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  6. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  7. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  8. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  9. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  10. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  11. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  12. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  13. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  14. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  15. Davina van Buren at 1:35pm 28th July 2011 All right for the UK:-D
  16. Victor Hudson at 12:03pm 28th July 2011 Here's an e- high five on that one! I wish that kind of common sense made it over to USA, ya know?
  17. Victor Hudson at 12:03pm 28th July 2011 Here's an e- high five on that one! I wish that kind of common sense made it over to USA, ya know?
  18. Victor Hudson at 12:03pm 28th July 2011 Here's an e- high five on that one! I wish that kind of common sense made it over to USA, ya know?
  19. Victor Hudson at 12:03pm 28th July 2011 Here's an e- high five on that one! I wish that kind of common sense made it over to USA, ya know?
  20. Victor Hudson at 12:03pm 28th July 2011 Here's an e- high five on that one! I wish that kind of common sense made it over to USA, ya know?
  21. Victor Hudson at 12:03pm 28th July 2011 Here's an e- high five on that one! I wish that kind of common sense made it over to USA, ya know?
  22. Victor Hudson at 12:03pm 28th July 2011 Here's an e- high five on that one! I wish that kind of common sense made it over to USA, ya know?
  23. Victor Hudson at 12:03pm 28th July 2011 Here's an e- high five on that one! I wish that kind of common sense made it over to USA, ya know?
  24. Victor Hudson at 12:03pm 28th July 2011 Here's an e- high five on that one! I wish that kind of common sense made it over to USA, ya know?
  25. Victor Hudson at 12:03pm 28th July 2011 Here's an e- high five on that one! I wish that kind of common sense made it over to USA, ya know?
  26. Victor Hudson at 12:03pm 28th July 2011 Here's an e- high five on that one! I wish that kind of common sense made it over to USA, ya know?
  27. Victor Hudson at 12:03pm 28th July 2011 Here's an e- high five on that one! I wish that kind of common sense made it over to USA, ya know?
  28. Sling Trebuchet at 4:03am 28th July 2011 In the future, people will have full-face masks that show a digitally enhanced version of the face behind it. L'Oreal and others will sell filters that do a particular airbrushing. The masks will have sensors that analyse ambient lighting and adjust the image processing to suit.People who air-kissing are prescient. They know this is coming. It will be necessary to carry a set of screen wipes to or a nicely-scented perfume spray of Windolene.
    1. Ian Bell at 8:39am 28th July 2011 I don't think it will get that bad. I think countries (just like the UK) will step in and prevent false advertising from getting even worse. At least I hope so!
  29. Connie Gudino at 5:34am 28th July 2011 When I saw this ad at Macy's a couple of months ago, I too thought that they had taken the airbrushing too far. I now know I was not alone in judging it to be false advertising... But, moreover I think that most people are not that naive as to believe everything they see, especially at a cosmetic counter!
  30. Connie Gudino at 5:34am 28th July 2011 When I saw this ad at Macy's a couple of months ago, I too thought that they had taken the airbrushing too far. I now know I was not alone in judging it to be false advertising... But, moreover I think that most people are not that naive as to believe everything they see, especially at a cosmetic counter!
  31. Connie Gudino at 5:34am 28th July 2011 When I saw this ad at Macy's a couple of months ago, I too thought that they had taken the airbrushing too far. I now know I was not alone in judging it to be false advertising... But, moreover I think that most people are not that naive as to believe everything they see, especially at a cosmetic counter!
  32. Connie Gudino at 5:34am 28th July 2011 When I saw this ad at Macy's a couple of months ago, I too thought that they had taken the airbrushing too far. I now know I was not alone in judging it to be false advertising... But, moreover I think that most people are not that naive as to believe everything they see, especially at a cosmetic counter!
  33. Connie Gudino at 5:34am 28th July 2011 When I saw this ad at Macy's a couple of months ago, I too thought that they had taken the airbrushing too far. I now know I was not alone in judging it to be false advertising... But, moreover I think that most people are not that naive as to believe everything they see, especially at a cosmetic counter!
  34. Connie Gudino at 5:34am 28th July 2011 When I saw this ad at Macy's a couple of months ago, I too thought that they had taken the airbrushing too far. I now know I was not alone in judging it to be false advertising... But, moreover I think that most people are not that naive as to believe everything they see, especially at a cosmetic counter!
  35. Connie Gudino at 5:34am 28th July 2011 When I saw this ad at Macy's a couple of months ago, I too thought that they had taken the airbrushing too far. I now know I was not alone in judging it to be false advertising... But, moreover I think that most people are not that naive as to believe everything they see, especially at a cosmetic counter!
  36. Connie Gudino at 5:34am 28th July 2011 When I saw this ad at Macy's a couple of months ago, I too thought that they had taken the airbrushing too far. I now know I was not alone in judging it to be false advertising... But, moreover I think that most people are not that naive as to believe everything they see, especially at a cosmetic counter!
  37. Connie Gudino at 5:34am 28th July 2011 When I saw this ad at Macy's a couple of months ago, I too thought that they had taken the airbrushing too far. I now know I was not alone in judging it to be false advertising... But, moreover I think that most people are not that naive as to believe everything they see, especially at a cosmetic counter!
  38. Connie Gudino at 5:34am 28th July 2011 When I saw this ad at Macy's a couple of months ago, I too thought that they had taken the airbrushing too far. I now know I was not alone in judging it to be false advertising... But, moreover I think that most people are not that naive as to believe everything they see, especially at a cosmetic counter!
  39. Connie Gudino at 5:34am 28th July 2011 When I saw this ad at Macy's a couple of months ago, I too thought that they had taken the airbrushing too far. I now know I was not alone in judging it to be false advertising... But, moreover I think that most people are not that naive as to believe everything they see, especially at a cosmetic counter!
  40. Keith Westerman at 5:26am 28th July 2011 Big deal.
  41. Keith Westerman at 5:26am 28th July 2011 Big deal.
  42. Keith Westerman at 5:26am 28th July 2011 Big deal.
  43. Keith Westerman at 5:26am 28th July 2011 Big deal.
  44. Keith Westerman at 5:26am 28th July 2011 Big deal.
  45. Keith Westerman at 5:26am 28th July 2011 Big deal.
  46. Keith Westerman at 5:26am 28th July 2011 Big deal.
  47. Keith Westerman at 5:26am 28th July 2011 Big deal.
  48. Keith Westerman at 5:26am 28th July 2011 Big deal.
  49. Keith Westerman at 5:26am 28th July 2011 Big deal.
  50. Keith Westerman at 5:26am 28th July 2011 Big deal.
  51. Keith Westerman at 5:26am 28th July 2011 Big deal.
  52. Keith Westerman at 5:26am 28th July 2011 Big deal.
  53. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  54. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  55. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  56. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  57. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  58. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  59. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  60. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  61. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  62. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  63. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  64. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  65. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  66. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  67. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  68. Donn De Vore at 5:24am 28th July 2011 I think they photoshopped her right eye to be larger than her left eye.
  69. Brandon Atkinson at 5:04am 28th July 2011 :D
  70. Brandon Atkinson at 5:04am 28th July 2011 :D
  71. Brandon Atkinson at 5:04am 28th July 2011 :D
  72. Brandon Atkinson at 5:04am 28th July 2011 :D
  73. Brandon Atkinson at 5:04am 28th July 2011 :D
  74. Brandon Atkinson at 5:04am 28th July 2011 :D
  75. Brandon Atkinson at 5:04am 28th July 2011 :D
  76. Brandon Atkinson at 5:04am 28th July 2011 :D
  77. Brandon Atkinson at 5:04am 28th July 2011 :D
  78. Brandon Atkinson at 5:04am 28th July 2011 I agree.
  79. Brandon Atkinson at 5:04am 28th July 2011 I agree.
  80. Brandon Atkinson at 5:04am 28th July 2011 I agree.
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