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Caroline Louise Forsling Sues Estee Lauder For Using Image In Anti-Aging Ad (PHOTOS)

The Huffington Post  Hilary Moss 
Posted: 06/ 3/11 07:39 AM ET

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The New York Post reports that model Caroline Louise Forsling is suing Estée Lauder for $2 million after its brand Origins used her photograph to promote Plantscription, an anti-aging skin-care product for women between 45 and 60 years old.

Forsling, 35, took a few test shots while wearing minimal makeup for a Lauder hair-care product last year and claims she didn't know that one of the pictures would be used as the "Before" half of the advertisement, much less (allegedly) Photoshopped to make her look older. The Post writes:

"Defendants did not disclose in the Plantscription ad . . . that Forsling never used Plantscription, that Forsling is not aged 45-60 or that the so-called 'dramatization' of the product did not result from the use of the product by Forsling, but rather reflected [their] manipulation of a photograph," the suit notes. The suit seeks a court order "barring defendants from any unauthorized use of Forsling's image or likeness," and money damages for the company's "false advertising and deceptive acts."

Estée Lauder wouldn't comment for the Post or The Daily Beast, which adds, "For anybody who knows anything about advertising, the fact that this ad is a farce should be no surprise. Nor should the use of photo retouching to create a digitally-altered before and after. But for a 30-something model once featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, to be shown without makeup in an anti-aging ad aimed at women two decades older is nothing short of career suicide."

Forsling is best-known for her commercial work with Clairol, Michael Kors, Tod's and J.Crew, walking the runway for Chanel and Ralph Lauren and posing for the 1998 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.

Check out the ad below. And read the rest at NYPost.com.

We believe that's Forsling, second from left, in December 2010:

Story continues below

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The New York Post reports that model Caroline Louise Forsling is suing Estée Lauder for $2 million after its brand Origins used her photograph to promote Plantscription, an anti-aging skin-care produ...
The New York Post reports that model Caroline Louise Forsling is suing Estée Lauder for $2 million after its brand Origins used her photograph to promote Plantscription, an anti-aging skin-care produ...
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southingtonian
"I'm a Capricorn and you can't make me do sh*t.."
03:15 AM on 6/07/2011
Good for you, Ms. Forsling.
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regulargal
10:34 PM on 6/05/2011
There's a lot of pissy women on this thread. What's that about? Have some of you synchroniz­ed over the internet? ; )
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
offred
A Longtime Dreamer
07:30 AM on 6/05/2011
Hey, folks, the wrinkles you see are NOT the model's. They're Photoshopp­ed in. She doesn't need your advice on using sunscreen and drinking water. If you see the group photo, you can see that she doesn't have wrinkles.

This proves she's right that the photos are damaging to her career, if people can read this article and still blame her for her "wrinkles.­"

Honey, sue the pants off them. Take it from the executives bonuses. They can afford it.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
JediGoddess
04:38 AM on 6/05/2011
Definitely a suit that I agree with, they are absolutely right when it comes to this misleading ad being career suicide. It is also true about anti aging products not being misleading in what they claim to "cure". You want to look young and age gracefully­? 1.) Exercise 2.) Have a healthy diet and monitor portions (5 small meals a day), 3.) Moisturize­!! Moisturize­!! Moisturize­!! 4.) Stay out of the sun if you must Tan do a spray on. Tanning is literally cooking your skin until it turns darker - think of a Turkey in the oven.
Genes will be the ultimate factor but follow those other steps and trust me you'll begin to look and feel younger just give some time, and above all LOVE yourself no matter what. Self Esteem and a positive attitude do wonders for anti-aging­!
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delwell63
10:54 PM on 6/04/2011
I do the Microderma­brasion at-home too. I started it to help control my eczema and it works great for me.. I have been using it for a year, three time a week to keep my eczema under control.. But in no way does it or has it reduced my wrinkles..­. But it is a great machine for the skin... If you choose to believe in a anti-aging cream.. well thats your right...
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sungodess72
03:52 PM on 6/04/2011
well thats what happens to white women when they reach 30..tsk...­tsk..tsk..
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regulargal
10:23 PM on 6/05/2011
...a company uses your photo without your permission or payment and then alters it? Never happened to this white woman.
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sungodess72
07:03 AM on 6/06/2011
your absolutely right, because they probably would not have to alter it especially if your 30 already,,g­enetics would do them that favor...le­ts face it you age in the face quicker than any woman on the planet....
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Folk Hero
"Nothing is worth more than this day." Goethe
09:50 AM on 6/06/2011
Every single white woman, huh? That is not a factual comment. Tsk tsk tsk.
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sungodess72
01:13 PM on 6/06/2011
how about this 99% pretty close don't you think...an­d your probably one of them that is why your angry, which is the last thing you should do..frown lines my dear your going to need Botox if you haven't tried it already...­.
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An Independent Woman
6 hours ago (9:30 PM)
Really? It does? Not this white woman. Tsk.. tsk.. tsk. Ethnic generaliza­tions and stereotype­s are always dangerous, no?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
katielady
01:49 PM on 6/04/2011
poor thing.. use sunblock ... my skin looks as "aged" as hers and I am over 65... moisturize­... I use olive oil in the winter, wash with pond's cold cream and use sunblock..­.
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artist5153
11:33 AM on 6/04/2011
I would have to see the contracts to know who is right here--but this is something that just really irritates me, how all the anti-aging ads use women (sometimes even girls!) who are well below the age of needing anti-wrink­le cream. This model is concerned because this could seriously impact her ability to get work, if potential clients believe she actually looks like the "doctored" photo that makes her look much older. They could just as easily have used an older model and then doctored her photo to make her look younger--e­ither way, it's all false advertisin­g. Does anybody really believe the mascara ads that show girls who look like they have black caterpille­rs on their eyelids--y­eah, like she doesn't have on 4 pairs of falsies!
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ragreen259
12:02 PM on 6/04/2011
I here ya! There's one I see pretty regularly talking about getting rid of wrinkles, blah blah... swear to God the girl isn't even old enough to drink. Who the hell is even THINKING about wrinkles at that age, she' probably still living at home with her parents!
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regulargal
10:25 PM on 6/05/2011
And they think we don't notice or know the difference between a very young girl or woman and one that has aged enough to need/use their products. It's stupid marketing.
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Joebudgie
10:28 AM on 6/04/2011
Caroline Louise Forsling says she 'thought' she was only posing for hair product ads. Maybe she should try reading contracts before she signs them in the future. I predict Estee Lauder will win this one and CLF will have to pay damages and court costs.
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Joebudgie
10:23 AM on 6/04/2011
I think all "anti ageing creams" are only a form of makeup. They cover wrinkles, they don't remove them. They may soften your skin like a lot of makeup creams do but eleminate wrinkles? No way.
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Ashley Abreu
04:17 PM on 6/04/2011
I have to disagree that "all anti ageing creams are a only a form of make up...but eleminate wrinkles? no way". As an avid user of Artistry skin care products, I know they not only have research to prove their claims, it is evident in their users. Be careful of your generaliza­tions that you have proof to back your opinions.
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hhirock
09:23 AM on 6/04/2011
I smell a BIG PAYDAY,
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Inspiringangela
09:04 AM on 6/04/2011
Was she under contract with Estee Lauder for those photos? Did she get paid for the day's photo shoot and subsequent­ly Estee Lauder then owned those photos? If so, she has no case. She signed the contract and now should have to live with her choice. Hopefully, justice will prevail in this case and the court will observe a "Loser Pays" protocol.
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andreacaa
09:18 AM on 6/04/2011
Article states she was there for hair care product photos. These are not hair care product photos. Sue away!!
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decaturdog
11:02 AM on 6/04/2011
Pitiful post, andreacaa - every time a dumb-bunny sues, we, the public, get fleeced with more and more costs. It's hard to believe that someone like you can even type, much less walk!
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ragreen259
12:04 PM on 6/04/2011
Did you personally read her contract andrea? You may want to calm down a bit. I'm pretty sure a lawyer will tell her whether or not suing is a good idea.
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
topkatnc
" little fellow " one of my strays .
09:43 PM on 6/05/2011
I agree .. I think she has a pretty good chance of winning too .
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regulargal
10:27 PM on 6/05/2011
You were right on. She has a case.
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Larry Richards
09:01 AM on 6/04/2011
It's clear that while it may be a "before" and "after" photo of the same model, I doubt it happened in one photo session. I believe she was retouched which makes the ad a lie. I'd think consumers would be angry and not buy that product knowing that the "before" and "after" photo was not reality.

As to the model - she should sue until the cows come home. She didn't know her photo was being used in that manner - these things are cleared in advance. They ruined her ability to earn money in her profession­.
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apulido
02:47 PM on 6/04/2011
Mr. Richards, don't mean to burst your bubble but, your trying to say that "you belive she was retouched which makes the ad a lie"?.....­a little insight for you about photograph­y and models,

I myself am a photograph­er and can tell you that every single photograph taken of models especially­, will always, always be retouched. You will never see in a fashion magazine a photograph straight from the camera to print. The only time you do see photograph­s untouched are in those Star and Enquirer magazines you find at the grocery stores that take shots of stars out in public places.

One other thing, photoshop has filters made especially to add acne and skin defects to anyones skin. I can make a 5yr old girl look like a 40 or 50 yr old if I wanted too. The only reason this model is upset is to get a good paycheck and because they actually showed the public what she really looks like before being retouched with photoshop. lol don't mean to insult anyone here's spouses but, lol for you males here reading this....do­n't tell me your wifes look the same with makeup as without makeup. Unless your one of the lucky ones that has a wife with that natural beauty that don't need makeup to look beautifull­. Sorry ladies please don't start attacking me...
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Larry Richards
09:02 PM on 6/04/2011
When you book a model for advertisin­g purposes the final use of the photo is dictated in the terms of the model release. I doubt her booking agent would allow the wrinkled look, but that is a matter of contract law.

From an advertisin­g point of view, the ad promoted a product that promises it makes skin younger-lo­oking. It doesn't matter to me which side of the photo reflects the way the model actually looks, the fact is that the product didn't have anything to do with the "after" image. Someone like you made that youthful image, not the product. I didn't see small disclaimer copy anywhere saying that this was for "illustrat­ion purposes" nor "this photo respresent­s typical results after XX months of use." (Perhaps those words were cropped from the photo in the article.)

Since you are effectivel­y saying that the model didn't use the product to achieve the "after look" and that a retoucher achieved that youthful look, section 5 of the FTC Act declares unfair or deceptive acts or practices unlawful. Section 12 specifical­ly prohibits false ads likely to induce the purchase of food, drugs, devices or cosmetics.

Without a disclaimer­, the ad is deceptive.
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delwell63
02:18 AM on 6/04/2011
There is absolutely no anti-age cream.. I do not care what ppl tell you.. its all BS... I am a Licensed Cosmetolog­ist for 30 years. Its all in how one was raised.. eating right.. taking vitamins.. exercise.. But whats most important to know is that we are all born with specific genetics..­. Like the old saying go's..It's all in the jeans... ^_^
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andreacaa
09:20 AM on 6/04/2011
It's not all in the "jeans"...­.it is genes.
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howuben
09:40 AM on 6/04/2011
Lighten up teach andrea. Alot ov erors out thare, cant point em all out! just komment on the artikal!
I agree with delwell, no cream can do it. It will keep you moisturize­d but not change you. Be happy with who you are. Right andreacaa?
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ladywindsor1
09:49 AM on 6/04/2011
I disagree. I DID find a product this did reduce lines (no. I will not advertise it here). I use it in combinatio­n with a microderma­brasion I do at home. I didn't tell anyone I was doing it, and within 3 weeks, my mother was telling me how great my skin looked. I am getting ready for the 50th birthday. I loved it when I had dinner with a woman a dozen years younger who thought I was younger than she. Yes, some products do work
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viviangel1
11:06 AM on 6/04/2011
If you have found something that really works, I would appreciate knowing its name!
Thanks.
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ragreen259
12:05 PM on 6/04/2011
So your saying if my parents both looked like they were 25 when they were 50, I'm ok with smoking three packs a day and keeping a running sunburn going on my face, that I won't age? And you claim you're a cosmetolog­ist? If you are, I'd say you aren't a very good one.
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delwell63
07:58 PM on 6/04/2011
Thank for the reply.... But sweetie it was made as a "joke".... at the end.. all in the jeans... LoL
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
sassiestkat
http://bitteristhenewblack.wordpress.com/
01:11 AM on 6/04/2011
Anything to help promote that aging is abnormal and ugly and that women can buy their youth in a bottle and need to do so.
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ragreen259
12:06 PM on 6/04/2011
What was your point?
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