This blog has a Bebo (yes, I feel like a fraud, but it's too late now - I've been and done it...), and I was scanning around profiles just now, to look for content ideas when I came across this; Beauty Kills, a group which I think is an absolute travesty.

Source: Beauty Kills

When I first read the profile, I was a very happ bunny, indeed. I thought that it was a brilliant group, with a brilliant moral message;

"Beauty in itself is not evil.

Beauty does not walk, talk, scheme and plan. Beauty is, however, something that we humans have managed to mold into a razor-sharp weapon with deadly poison. Whispers of vicious, poisonous barbs are heard all over the world, every hour of every day.

"He's too fat."
"Her hair is frizzy."
"Her makeup is smudged."
"His eyes are too close together."
"Her teeth aren't straight or white enough.""

But, then I read further;

"Are you really brave enough to find out what people think about you?
Then ask for your picture up.
Read the blog for more information."

That's right; teenagers from across the world, mostly girls, it has to be said, are posting their best photos on this site, to see which category they will be put into;

1. Perfection.
2. Stunners.
3. Pretty.
4. Hot Hair.
5. Hot Make up.
6. Nothing special.
7. Just Delete

Now, is that not just a little bit wrong? Seriously? I mean... we're all human beings, and none of us is perfect, for starters, but we're all unique, too, and we can't be judge by the same criteria as everyone else. Until I met Rachel, my wonderful editor, I used to be one of those people who wouldn't wear skirts or nice tops because they made me feel vulnerable to comments; I wouldn't wear make-up for fear of being categorised. But, ironically, it was working in the fashion industry which made me realise that everyone is beautiful in their own way - and that's not to say that I think I'm beautiful (I don't), it's just saying that I'm happy as who I am now. I've accepted me as me, and I can step out and smile, and ignore people's opinions... but groups like Beauty Kills are just exploiting the vulnerable in order to make the confident more so - and hardly anyone seems to think that it's a bad thing.

There is, thankfully, only one girl in the "Nothing Special" category, and I'd hazard that it wasn't the best photo she'd ever taken of herself, anyway. But, most of the voters categorised her as "Nothing Special", something that I think is disgusting.

A few people stood out from the crowd, saying "what is wrong with you people?? the only reason yu aint being nice is cuz she aint wearing makeup!! she has NATURAL BEAUTY - a rare thing so get over it", "Does no one else see this as wrong? Everyone is beautiful in their own way!!!" and "Nothing Special?
Might be something special to someone", in the way that only angry Bebo kids can.

There is one commet, however, which I think epitomises my views of this group -

"i just dont get the voting system....
your all about saying everyone is beautiful one minute and then you look at the pictures and you have a voting system...
the truth may hurt but this is just a disgrace
everyone is beautiful in their own way"

Actually, no... make that two comments which epitomise my views on this group -

"i wonder how many more fucked up pages like this are on bebo.."

Well said.

I hate that people can be degraded in this way - the world (contrary to what many fashion editrs may tell you) is not all about aesthetics... and, even if it were, we are all different; unique; and it is wrong to categorise people using the same criteria.

What's that famous saying again?

Oh yeah.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

LoveLoveLove

- A -

Recently, I was lucky enough to get five minutes to speak to Thia, the wonderful designer behind Butterfy Skins and Butterfly Nails, sites which have become phenomenons on Bebo. I have long been a fan of her designs, so I had to make the most of this opportunity!

Tell us a bit about yourself; we’d love to get to know you!

My name is Cynthia, but my friends just call me Thia. I’m 18, Bengali and live in Sydney, Australia.  I love being the centre of attention, which is probably why I love taking photos, performing (I sing and play piano) and so crazy things from time to time. I couldn’t live without my mobile phone or my laptop or my friends! Oh, and I LOVE pizza!

Tell me about Butterfly Skins; that came first, but where did you get the idea from?

Anyone who has Bebo will be familiar with the feeling of not finding the perfect skin for you. When this happened to me, I decided I’d just make my own skins! Turns out, other people like them as well!

Where did you learn to use Photoshop so brilliantly?

I always used to watch other people use Photoshop in art class at school. I wanted to give it a try, but the number of buttons and options always intimidated me. Finally, I worked up my courage and got a copy for myself, and slowly taught myself how to use it. I still don’t know all the functions of Photoshop though, I must admit.

What inspires your work?

There isn’t one thing in particular that inspires my work. I’ve always loved developing and experimenting with ideas on Photoshop, so when I see a pretty picture or a cute quote I’ll think “would that make a good Bebo skin?” Also, I have an “ideas blog” where people leave their ideas for skins. Some of their ideas are awesome and help me make skins that hundreds of people end up using!

You have almost 5000 friends on Bebo! How did that happen? Did you have to advertise?

To be honest, my skins kind of advertised themselves. When I started, there won’t many Twilight skins on Bebo, and all the Twilight fans on Bebo were ecstatic that I was making Twilight skins. They all recommended me to their friends, who told their friends, and next thing I knew I was getting 20 friend requests a day!

And Butterfly Nails just developed from the Skins site?

Yeah, pretty much.  

How did you learn to do nails like that? They’re stunning!

Thanks! I didn’t really learn, I just picked up some nail polish and gave it a go. That’s the point I’m trying to make with Butterfly Nails. Anyone can do it!

What are your aspirations for the future? Do you want to use your skills form Butterfly Skins and Nails to go into the graphics or beauty industries?

I really want to do something medical. Maybe a researcher. Maybe I’ll find the cure to cancer!

Describe an average day? Are you a student, too?

I’m currently in my first year of uni, studying Medical Science. It’s such hard work, but I guess it’s all worthwhile (plus, I get to touch dead people!). An average day for me would be waking up, going to uni, coming home from uni pooped, watching TV, studying, facebooking, beboing, and then sleeeep.

What would you say to people who aspire to do what you’re doing?

Go for it! It’s fun and easy and people will think you’re cool! If you don’t quite know how to use Photoshop, keep trying and you’ll get the hang of it. And, if you don’t have access to Photoshop there are heaps of other editing programs you can use (like Paint Shop Pro and Gimp)

Where did the name “Butterfly…” come from? It used to be “Perfect…”?

Bebo made me change “Perfect Skins”! I got an email saying it was “inappropriate” and someone had complained about it. I think there was a misunderstanding or something; I’m still not very sure. I like Butterfly Skins better anyway. I’ve always wanted to fly!

Do you get a lot of fan-mail? You have a fan-group set up about you!

Yes I do! And it is so cool! These people don’t even know me, but they still leave comments and send emails about how much they love my skins. It’s quite cool! And, I still don’t know who started that fan group! No one will tell me!

Have you made a move away from Bebo, with the nails, at all? Into your own website or facebook/myspace?

No, I haven’t. Maybe one day. Right now, I have no time to maintain more that the Bebo.

Do you have a motto? If not, what would it be?

No, I don’t. But I do tell a lot of people “Good things fall apart, so better things can fall together”.