Who IS that girl? Time-lapse video shows the radical effect of Photoshop on a model's body

A shocking new time-lapse video has demonstrated just how dramatically a woman's body can be transformed by digital retouching.
The 36-second clip, created by GlobalDemocracy.com, shows a relatively average-looking girl turned into a bombshell glamor model with the help of a hair and make-up artist and of course, Photoshop.
The video begins with a shot of the make-up-free woman - clad in just a red bikini brief - lying on her stomach, leaning on her forearms with her legs raised and crossed behind her.

Before: The video begins with a shot of the make-up-free woman - clad in just a red bikini brief - lying on her stomach, leaning on her forearms with her legs raised and crossed behind her

After: The previously average-looking girl is turned into a bombshell glamor model with the help of a hair and make-up artist and of course, Photoshop

Transformed: A make-up artist worked her magic before teasing the model's flat blonde bob into glossy curls and adding a hairpiece. Then with Photoshop, her complexion was smoothed and given a doll-like sheen. Her eyes were made wider, her nose slimmer and her lips fuller

First, the studio's lighting is adjusted, making her look instantly slimmer. A make-up artist then works her magic with foundation, concealer, lipgloss and lashings of mascara, before teasing the model's flat blonde bob into glossy curls and adding a hairpiece to give the illusion of longer locks.
At this point, the photo is taken, but photographer is not done. Revealing just what happens after the model leaves the studio and the make-up artist has gone home, the video goes on to speed through digital enhancements to the model's face and body.
In the click of a mouse, the model's complexion is smoothed and given a doll-like sheen. Her eyes are made wider, her nose slimmer and her lips fuller. 

Time-lapse video shows radical effect of Photoshop on model's...

Setting up: The model is seen getting into position at the start of the shoot, with the make-up artist, photographer and assistant on standby. Once can see that the model's body, while slender, is not that of a supermodel

Bright start: The photographer first adjusts the lighting, instantly defining the model's body shape

Cosmetic enhancement: Concealer, foundation, lipgloss and lashings of mascara add definition to the model's face, before her flat bob is teased into curls, and a hairpiece is fitted to give length to her locks

All-over cover: Body foundation helps conceal any imperfections in the model's skin on her torso and legs (the hairpiece has been removed, but gets replaced moments later)

Click! The studio lights are turned up, focus is sharpened on the model, and the photographer takes his snap

The retoucher then goes on to raise the shoulder, lengthening the entire upper arm.
They then radically slim the stomach, giving the illusion of larger breasts which sit proud rather than relaxed as gravity would normally dictate.
The legs are also made significantly longer, and the calves are narrowed. The model's neck, too, is lengthened and narrowed.
The skin on the body is brightened, giving it a reflective sheen and once again, as a finishing touch, the backside and thighs are slimmed.

Airbrush time: The photographer now begins retouching the model. In the click of a mouse, the shoulder is raised, lengthening the arm, her midriff is narrowed and the bust is lifted

Supermodel treatment: The legs are made significantly longer, and the calves and feet are narrowed

The result is that the model in the finished photo bears absolutely no resemblance to the woman who sat for the photographer.
The video adds fuel to an ongoing debate surrounding airbrushed models and how they can set unrealistic examples to impressionable young girls.
Last year, a group of teenage girls staged a protest outside Teen Vogue's offices, demanding that the fashion magazine publicly commit to using 'Photoshop-free, diverse images of real girls.'

From hairbrush to airbrush: The model with no make-up (left) and with make-up (right), just as the photo retoucher begins smoothing the surface of the skin...

...The lips are defined and plumped, and the eyes are made larger (left). The model's finished face (right)

And in late 2011, a couple launched a campaign to pass a bill that would require commercials and magazine spreads to be accompanied by disclaimers if models have been significantly airbrushed or Photoshopped.

But an anonymous digital retouched told Buzzfeed that her work 'is really about creating a beautiful image that shows the product in the best light...'
'If you look at something and the model's got dark kneecaps with dry skin, your eyes are going to go straight to the knees instead of whatever it is they're modeling. 'Or maybe there's something in the background you have to take out just to make it less distracting.'

Digital bust-lift: The lower breast has been raised in a comparison between the pre-Photoshop grab and the post. The waist has also been narrowed quite dramatically. The neck is lengthened and the face narrowed

Last but not least... The retoucher gives the whole body a lightening sheen (seen on the hair, face, arms and shoulders so far) - it gives the skin a glossy doll-like finish that one might otherwise assume is thanks to good tone, plenty of exfoliation and body make-up

Voila! Our girl looks nothing like the woman who first appeared on set proving just how much work goes into a magazine ad campaign or fashion shoot

And Victoria's Secret Angel Erin Heatherton argues that schools and parents should be responsible for teaching young girls about body image, and that Photoshop helps make 'things look beautiful.'
'Healthy body image is not something that you’re going to learn from fashion magazines... retouching is an essential part of our job,' she told Fashionista.com.
'We’re not selling reality; we’re selling a story. It’s all about creating this fantasy.
For more information, visit GlobalDemocracy.com