More Fun With Banner Ad Makeovers

After the Gallery of the Absurd Deluxe Makeover

 

Before the Gallery of the Absurd Deluxe Makeover

The world of celebrity gossip hasn't inspired me this week, so I went back to messing around with some of the absurd banner ads floating around out there.  First up (above) is the ad for an acne cream called IQ Clear. A young model is shown with a face full of acne and then magically, the acne is erased to reveal clear smooth skin.  What's odd is that when the animation is finished, it looks like a before/after ad -  the before showing smooth clear skin, the after showing a full-blown acne disaster.  It's as though they're saying the cream makes you look worse.  No thanks!

After the Gallery of the Absurd Deluxe Makeover

Before the Gallery of the Absurd Deluxe Makeover

Second up, we have the ad for Real Age. You click on the ad and are taken to a free test to find out if you're biologically older or younger than your calendar age.  The people in the original ad all look youthful and fresh for their age, but that's not a compelling enough reason to click the banner. What is compelling is the trend toward teen starlets looking 20 years older than they really are.  There's a freak show appeal to a fresh-faced young girl having the appearance of a middle-aged woman, thus the banner is apt to attract a higher click-thru rate.  Medium: above image done with ink on paper, digital color. below image photoshop composite.

Comments

[Jenn F.]

That original ad for skin care wasn't thought out too well because they put the "after" on the left and the "before" on the right... which goes against not only what we're used to seeing, but the fact that (in the Western world) our eye normally reads from left to right. So you're absolutely right, 14... unless you read the details, the viewer gets the impression that the product gives you bad skin! Love the added detail of the wonky teeth in your version.

I still can't get over Ali Lohan. She even looks twenty years older than the other two teenaged hags shown beneath her. And who is this Taylor Momsen kid? Never heard of her. I have a feeling that might be a good thing.

[Becca]

At least sick pedophiles would stay far away from those girls.9_9

[Psychochick]

Did you hear how Heidi Montag is claiming to be a virgin even though she took a pregnancy test on the 1st season? That is something too make fun of. Haha!

[Demon Kitty]

I don't understand turning young girls into middle aged whores. It is revolting. The Taylor MOmsen does look like she is in her late 30's.

The acne ad is delightfully Charles Burns-Like!