the truth behind beauty ads

Have you guys seen the new video Dove Evolution? It's a time-lapse video of what it takes to turn a pretty woman into the type of beauty model you see in ads. Being a beauty editor, I go on set at beauty photo shoots all the time. So I can tell you: If anything, this video UNDERestimates what it takes to make a woman look gorgeous in an ad or magazine photo. When we go to a photo shoot, it takes about 3 hours to prep a model (who is already freakin' gorgeous!) before we start taking photos. And after the photos are taken, the digital retouching (a.k.a. "airbrushing") takes hours and hours more. Anyway, it's something to think about next time you compare yourself to a picture of a model or celebrity and think you're coming up short. You should see that model or celebrity in real life... she's just another girl, like me or you. So, go watch the video, then tell me: What do you think? Should we have more realistic-looking women in ads and magazines? Or should we all just try to realize that what we see is not real?

XO,
Jenn
beauty & fitness editor