Cate Blanchett has joined the tiny - albeit, growing - number of high profile ladies willing to go without Photoshop, thanks to her cover shoot for the 20th issue of Intelligent Life magazine.
Image: Intelligent Life
Editor Tim de Lisle explains:
"When other magazines photograph actresses, they routinely end up running heavily Photoshopped images, with every last wrinkle expunged. Their skin is rendered so improbably smooth that, with the biggest stars, you wonder why the photographer didn't just do a shoot with their waxwork.
In his editors' blog on the Intelligent Life site, Tim also theorises on why Photoshopping is so prevalent:
"It's a supreme example of having it both ways. Publishers want a recognisable person on the cover, with a real career; but they also want an empty vessel-for clothes and jewellery and make-up, which often seem to be supplied by the advertisers with the most muscle."
And then, regarding his cover star, Cate:
"She looks like what she is-a woman of 42, spending her days in an office, her evenings on stage and the rest of her time looking after three young children. We can't be too self-righteous about it, because, like anyone else who puts her on a cover, we are benefiting from her beauty and distinction. But the shot is at least trying to reflect real life."
What do you think of Cate's un-Photoshopped cover?
Cate's full interview can be found in Intelligent Life, available to buy now.
P.S. We're not entirely sure of Tim's verdict that you might as well shoot the celeb's waxwork - these look nothing like their subjects!