Advertising watchdogs have condemned cosmetic giant L’Oreal for making misleading mascara adverts featuring Penelope Cruz. The TV and magazine adverts boasted women could have up to 60% longer lashes with its Telescopic mascara. But a viewer complained to the advertising standards authority that the actress was wearing false lashes.

It also ruled the adverts “did not make clear that the claim referred to an increase in the ‘appearance’ of lash length”. In the commercial for L’Oreal Paris Telescopic mascara, Cruz stood on a terrace next to a telescope and said: “Imagine, lashes that could reach for the stars.”
Spanish-born Cruz, 32, signed an exclusive contract to become L’Oreal’s spokesperson last year.