Teenage girls airbrushing school photos to look like models Girls of different ages were interviewed in depth about their aspirations and attitudes to issues such as boys, careers, parenthood and politics as well as joining group discussions. When asked about looks, one common response was that "pretty girls" were more likely to get away with more at school. "The pressure to conform and be accepted is overwhelming at this age, and can cloud the judgment of even the most level-headed of girls," the report comments. Intelligence can be seen as a threat to their popularity, unless camouflaged by characteristics that are regarded as more girlie and feminine. They were also asked about the use of airbrushing of celebrities in glossy magazines - an issue which the organisation has campaigned on in the past, arguing that it promotes unrealistic and unnatural expectations about appearance. But the report found that the practice has gone far beyond the world of celebrity and that it is now commonplace for girls have their own pictures from events such as school proms professionally retouched to remove spots and blemishes. "Many accept, and also welcome, airbrushing when done in moderation," the report said. Some are positive about the chance now open to them to smooth over spots and skin blemishes, and they don't see this as deception. Others consider airbrushing to be false, whatever the circumstances. Most are aware of the ease with which this can be done by anyone with access to the right software, enabling them to tidy up an image.