Watchdogs in the UK have banned cosmetics ads that feature heavily-airbrushed images of actress Julia Roberts and model Christy Turlington, reports the BBC.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said the images were exaggerated, echoing MP Jo Swinson statement that the L’Oreal ads were “not representative of the results the product could achieve”, according to the BBC.

L’Oreal denied the images were misleading, but admitted to retouching them, reports the BBC.

Swinson added the images could contribute to “body image problems”, said the BBC. “We should have some honesty in advertising and that’s exactly what the ASA is there to do,” she was quoted as saying.

The ASA maintained that retouched images were fine as long as they were not misleading, harmful or offensive. “If advertisers go too far in using airbrushing and other post-production techniques to alter the appearance of models and it’s likely to mislead people, then that’s wrong and we’ll stop the ads,” ASA chief executive Guy Parker told the BBC.

For cosmetic brands, the ASA requires them to show evidence of exactly how much airbrushing and retouching had been done to images. L’Oreal did not deliver on those requirements, Parker told the BBC.

[via BBC]


Want to see what 24 hours of creative awesomeness look like? Click here.



This news message is supported by The Creative Finder, an online platform for photographers, illustrators, designers, and art directors to promote their portfolios towards new clients and collaborators. Creatives who wish to sign up for an account can save 10% off annual fees with promo code 'designtaxi'.