Picture Perfect Celebrities? Don't You Believe It!

The culture of the celebrity has also given rise to the culture of the celebrity image. We are used to seeing pop-stars preened to perfection, and aesthetically pleasing actresses smiling back at us from the covers of magazines that we often fail to stop and question whether such images are a reality.

The art of retouching has become common place in today's media, with advertising and magazine covers giving the faces of the so-called 'beautiful people' a helping hand. The process is relatively easy but not always particularly cheap; but the price of perfection it seems can never be too high-or can it? One world famous actress believed that the myth of retouching needed exploding after her somewhat altered image appeared on the front cover of an upmarket men's magazine title.

In 2003, British actress and 'Titanic' star, Kate Winslet appeared on the cover of GQ Magazine; the result was surprising, particularly for Winslet herself, as her legs were reduced in size and extended in length by as much as 'a third' the actress claimed. Although editor of GQ Magazine Dylan Jones admitted to the digital changes he did not agree with Winslet's view that the 'retouching is excessive.' The actress has been consistently honest about her views of the media's obsession with the female body and the circle-of-shame culture we currently live in.

Other celebrities are also hitting back at digitally enhanced images, believing that people deserve to see the truth behind the lens. One of the biggest supporters of the natural look is Alesha Dixon, pop starlet and winner of hit TV show 'Strictly Come Dancing'. In her BBC Three show 'Look but Don't Touch' broadcast this July, Alesha adorned the front cover of a well known magazine without her image being retouched at all, and the image was also used on billboards across London.

Alesha's stance was simple: 'Women aspire to be like flawless pictures in magazines but they don't realise what goes into making them like that'. Like Kate Winslet, Alesha felt compelled to speak out after feeling that the retouching performed on a series of photos that were taken for FHM magazine was a step too far.

The BBC Three documentary confronted the tricky subject of celebrity images head on, but although women do appreciate that images have often been manipulated, they still aspire to look like them. However you can't help but wonder, if images were more realistic, would that translate to society's idea of beauty?

Although the morals of celebrity retouching may be unclear, there's nothing to stop you trying the technique for fun at home. It's relatively simple and can make you look great in the process. With the help of Photoshop and a digital camera you can try a few celebrity beauty treatments for yourself. The technique allows for spot removal, teeth whitening and even slimming that post-Christmas photo down a few pounds!

Then, simply pop all your favourite images in one of the latest digital photo frames and watch yourself transformed on screen.