If rosacea falls in the forest, and there's no one around to hear, are you still beautiful?

From a New York Times article:

“The feeling out there is if there’s any facial skin imperfection, something must be done about it,” said Elaine D’Farley, the beauty director for Self magazine, whose annual new product survey yielded more anti-redness products this year than last. “Facial redness is the new cellulite.”

... “I see rosacea everywhere,” said Dr. Jonathan Wilkin, a dermatologist and the former president of the National Rosacea Society, “Millions of people are out there who have rosacea but don’t know it.”

Which raises a question: If you don’t know you have rosacea, and are not bothered by it, then does it help to be made aware of the ailment? After all, rosacea is not life-threatening, and only life-hampering for those who consider their symptoms problematic.

Top 5 Moronic Magazines

Why do magazines come up with Unsexiest Women lists? And eww the commentary that follows such lists. As Sarah Jessica Parker said, when she was named the #1 Ugly by Maxim in 2007: "It’s kind of shocking… It’s so brutal in a way, so filled with rage and anger.” I agree. I don't think those lists are fun, I feel like there's something woman-hate-ee about them.

Here were Maxim's top 5:
- Britney Spears
- Madonna
- Sandra Oh
- Amy Winehouse
- Sarah Jessica Parker

And... I always find the "Sandra Oh is ugly" comments sound racist.

Shudder.

Does this mirror make my face look good?

Watching Much on Demand on MuchMusic, and they're talking about how Mariah only likes the right side of her face to be photographed. The male and female veejays were commenting "How long does she stare in the mirror to figure out which side of her face looks better? I've never even thought about it before."

So they turned to a teen girl in their audience and asked her. Her reply: I think all girls know which side of their face looks better. All girls stare at themselves in the mirror and figure out how they'll look best in photos.

!

Then they turned to some random guy, who of course had never thought about it.

All girls? Seriously??

10 Years Younger

I was trying not to blog while finishing my Masters research, but the TLC show "10 Year Younger" is on the TV while I'm looking up some facts, and as usual it's bugging me.

On What Not to Wear they humiliate a person so that they'll doubt their clothing choices, and will then open their minds to the new clothes. They usually save this treatment for the stubborn ones, but sometimes it's a bit much to take. But at least they're making fun of the clothes, not the person's body/looks.

On 10 Years Younger it's the person who's being humiliated. They stand in a clear box in the middle of a square and passers-by come by and tell them how shit they look--yellow teeth, sallow skin, wrinkles, hair etc. Ugh. This is the makeover concept at its worst. I don't think I've ever watched an episode all the way through because it's so--bleh. I like seeing clothes and haircut makeovers, but I'm out for all the plastic surgery.

More about the Fuul at skinny celeb

I totally freaked out my friend the other day by posting the New Evil Blog (about celebrity weight). By freaked out, I mean angered. She just loooved the "Guess whose cellulite this is?" feature. And picking on lovely Kelly Clarkson.

Here are some things from blog's Q&A (after the author defends herself as not being a pro-ana site). I particularly like the bit where she (a) doesn't think she has an eating disorder, but (b) says that tracking the weight of celebrities has always been a "fascination" of hers.

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Q: What do you think about the whole “fat acceptance” thing?
A: It’s not healthy. It’s basically telling people it’s OK to be morbidly obese when in reality, that isn’t OK. It’s unhealthy and dangerous. (But keep in mind that I’m not a doctor or dietitian, so I could be wrong).

Q: Do you hate celebrities? Is that why you did this website?
A: Not at all. I feel many celebrities are very talented in various areas. They keep the world interesting. However, that doesn’t mean I’m not going to point out when they have gained or lost weight or talk about their diet and/or exercise plans.

Q: Do you have an eating disorder? Is that why you are doing this website?
A: I have never been diagnosed with one.

Q: Does it make you feel better about yourself to talk and/or make fun of celebrity weight?
A: Nope - that’s not why I do this site. And I don’t feel as though I make fun of anyone seriously. Reading about celebrity diets and exercise has always been a fascination of mine. And just seeing how thin some of them get is interesting. Seriously - it’s simply a hobby of mine that I managed to translate into a popular website.

Q: Do you condone people who obsess about their weight? Do you do it?
A: It doesn’t matter if I condone it or not - it’s gonna happen regardless. And yes, I obsess about my weight.

Q: What do you think about the whole Pro-ED [eating disorder] community?
A: “Live and let live” has always been my motto. So, do it if you want. I’m not going to judge you.

Q: I visit your website and it makes me feel bad about myself. What should I do?
A: Don’t visit it anymore and seek counseling!

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My friend discovered this chick has a personal blog, Girl on a Diet, where she tracks her weight. And if the above Answers left you in any doubt as to whether she has a disorder, here's a line from her latest post: "He’s one of the only people who accepts me for “what I am”. Of course, he has no idea about my weight obsession. (He only thinks that I’ve been exercising to get healthy)."

Here's another: "I’m still drinking alcohol almost every day. It’s bad. I try to stop, then plans come up. Everyone is drinking. I know that’s no excuse but damn, it sucks. I know it’s the #1 reason that I’m not losing scale weight."