Photoshop Altering!

The last few months I have been appalled at the sad pictures I've seen of what models and celebrities look like before being airbrushed, and how photos of them are altered so much that they don't even look human.
I used to like Julia Robert's and her acting but after this ad of her has been removed from Britain; 

      The air-brushed picture of Julia Roberts used in the L'oreal campaign.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/beauty/pictures--dont-reflect-reality-julia-roberts-ad-given-the-brush-off-by-watchdog-20110727-1hz9s.html#ixzz1TW5STiHv

I am not sure I support her anymore. I know she looks nothing like that in her movies or with pictures of her on the red carpet, and the fact that in her contract it states there should be no un-airbrushed photos of her released, that really makes me think she is sending the wrong message to women and girls everywhere.
This makes me think she doesn't even love herself for who she really is and can't accept that humanity and beauty photoshopping have limits. She is a role model for lots of girls and women everywhere and the fact that she is exclusively using excessively altered images of herself really irritates me. What do you think?
Should the United States crack down on beauty photoshopping too? I think so.

Here is a website explaining why Britain pulled the Ad;http://www.newser.com/story/124485/uk-bans-enhanced-julia-roberts-ads.html and another website which has a look at the ads. http://www.theedge.co.nz/Julia-Roberts--Christy-Turlingtons-makeup-ads-banned-for-being-too-photoshopped/tabid/198/articleID/15534/Default.aspx I don't like Lady Gaga's dancer's or her outfits either on this website.

A change of subject; However, I have some good news! I love Beauty Redefined. This is an organization which is non-profit created by two identical twins studying for a P.H.D. in women's objectification at the University of Utah. There names are Lindsey and Lexie Kite. http://www.beautyredefined.net/beauty-redefined-billboards-unveiled/ Please check out their links and website and look for their positive body image billboards all around the Great Salt Lake Valley! The message of their campaign is that women should not be judged solely by their appearance, or the sum of their parts. There is so much more to you than the way you look, or " There is more to be than eye candy." And "You are capable of so much more than being looked at." Are some messages of their campaign. They chose not to include bodies on their billboards to bring this message home.

I also reccomend reading http://www.the-beheld.com/2011/07/beauty-blogosphere-72911.html The Beheld. A beauty blog talking about how beauty has evolved from past times to present and how it is defined in different countries other than our western culture. This blog post also talks about new beauty products being made in other countries.

Thanks for your love and support!

Sincerely, Chelsea Merkley

Beauty is the eye of the Beholder?

     Welcome to my new blog. I beg to differ with the title. Yes, beauty is different to everyone. But, if beauty is only defined as the outside appearance than the world has gotten off on completely the wrong foot!
                                                 Exhibit A; A picture of myself

                                           
                                               What can you tell about me from this picture? Maybe that I was at a restauraunt. Could you tell me about my divine worth from seeing this photo if you didn't know me?
Some people could, like perhaps the current Prophet of my Religion.
Could you guess what my hobbies or talents were from this photo? What kinds of things I like to do?
Most likely not, other than eating good food which is a given.

The point I'm trying to make here is that images in the mainstream media are most likely altered by photoshop and airbrushing and that they are completely fake. And also, you can not tell what a person really is like from a picture, unless the picture tells a well told story.

Most people can not tell what kind a person I am or what kind of friend I am from this picture. So, why do we judge others by appearances? Should we be doing that? Well, yes and no. Of course, I wouldn't want a person with a gun around me or my child or family; or someone who appears to be dangerous around me. We need to judge others sometimes for safety. Although, beyond that the true judge is Heavenly Father, also known as God.

This post is food for thought. Try to change the way you look at yourself, your reflection and other's appearances. True beauty and worth lies on the inside and not only on the outside. This does not mean however, you shouldn't take care of yourself hygienically of course. But there is so much more to a person's individual worth, heart and soul than the way they look.


Chelsea Merkley July 28, 2011