Do you recognise this woman? It's Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria - or it was, until someone got a bit too enthusiastic with the airbrush tool.

Commentators have heaped derision on Italian magazine Amica for lightening the Mexican-American actress' skin and altering her features on the cover of the July 2012 issue.

"Aside from the skin retouching, Eva's got some extra-accentuated cheekbones and jaw line that look practically fake," The Huffington Post reported.

Critics have also gleefully pointed out that, despite the tropical backdrop, the wooden floor boards of the photography studio are clearly visible at the bottom of the image.

In real life, 37-year-old Longoria refuses to alter her appearance with cosmetic surgery.

"I'm terrified of needles and knives. I saw those Discovery Channel shows with the operations. The sound of the chisel. Agh! No thank you," she said.

Where do you stand on airbrushing? Is it okay as long as the person is recognisable, or should magazines show stars as they really are?

-Fairfax NZ with Cover Media

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