Britney Spears Uses Before-and-After Photos to Help Educate Kids About Airbrushing

As a charter member of the Pro Tools pop generation, Britney Spears has always drawn criticism for offering more style than substance, and of being more of a studio creation than a true musical artist.

But there's nothing artificial about Britney's latest project, a series of photos commissioned to help educate schoolchildren about the unreasonable physical expectations created by airbrushed images of celebrities.

In the photos, Spears poses in heels and a swimsuit, with one shot showing the star as she naturally appears and the other providing a demonstration of how touch-ups and Photoshop magic can make people look perfect. Of course, even au naturel, she looks great -- but after the designer's brush is through with her, there isn't a blemish or ounce of cellulite to be seen.

According to Lynne Featherstone, a spokesperson for the British government, the campaign was created in order to help combat the psychological and physical damage wrought by "size zero" culture. "Young people are being set an impossible standard by the images they are confronted with on a daily basis from the media and advertising and there is evidence to suggest this has a negative impact on self esteem," said Featherstone. "I want children to recognize their value is much more than physical appearance."

Spears, who has been vocal about airbrushing in the past, was happy to use her figure to help get the message across. As a source told the UK paper the Daily Mirror, "Britney is proud of her body -- imperfections and all."

[PopCrush]