Beautylish and YouTube

Sep 14, 2011

Heather H.

I was just thinking about the Beautylish community and how everyone is so positive, supportive and creative. I think that the decision by Beautylish to use people's real names, instead of usernames, and to always post their profile photo next to the name really promotes a more positive, creative environment. It’s wonderful that people feel free to post their photos and videos on their work.

I think one of the reasons why there can be so much negativity on YouTube is because of the anonymity (luckily there is more positivity). People can thumb down videos, comment and report anonymously. Another reason is because there is a large community who does not understand makeup.

When people are practicing their creativity, it can be very personal, and YouTube can be a very hostile and intimidating environment (same as other forums). I can see how this prevents some people from participating in making their own videos. I am always a little insecure about posting new videos because it is so personal to me. It is hard to put yourself out there, to be vulnerable to negativity and to the possibility that people may not like you.

I really enjoy being a part of the Beautylish community. Right from the start I felt welcome, I could put a face to the name, it offered resources such as a friendly forum, product reviews AND inspiration.

Sep 14, 2011

Kelsea M.

This is an AWESOME post!!! TO be honest, no one has been rude on yt to me YET. I feel super blessed every day that I have such supportive viewers but I know the rudeness is coming. It's inevitable. And I have to admit, I'm a bit scared. I've seen how mean people can be (ie. I never saw that video, Andrew, but I can imagine it was terrible and it made you feel terrible). It's nice to know I have some where I can go and ALWAYS have support. Beautylish is a safe place, and I'm very grateful!

Sep 15, 2011

Heather H.

Thank you Andrew! <3

@Kelsea It took a while for me to finally receive some comments, and even now I still don't receive too many and my subscribers are great. However, some of the bigger YTers receive so many negative comments it ridiculous. Especially the "no offence" "I don't mean to be rude" supposedly socially acceptable rude comments. It looks like Jerry Springer on some of the videos. :D 

Sep 15, 2011

Shavon A.

Heather I totally agree! I think what's needed on the web in general is a sense of connection. Its the easiest and fastest way to connect with people but with alot of social networks there are not alot of REAL connections being made. You can slap a screen name on and be whoever you want. I don't know, call me old school but I want to know who I'm talking to/watching. And know that they are genuine. There's so much negativity being thrown out in today's society where the drama is glorified that its refreshing to see a site with so much continual positivity. Honestly, I think this is the beginning of something very special and I'm glad to be a part of it :-)

Sep 15, 2011

Dylan P.

You're so right Heather. I think because Beautylish is catered directly towards the beauty community, everyone has a better understanding of each other because we're here for the same thing. Youtube is spread so thin that it's inevitable that opinions are more than bound to clash. And now there are actual trolling communities that actively plan and participate on flaming youtube users... it's gotten way out of hand. I don't understand why people take so much joy from hurting others anonymously. I guess they just don't have the courage to be comfortable with themselves in real life, let alone on the internet, like so many of us do.

I'm so pleased to have found this website. I've never felt so comfortable with a group of strangers before! :D

Sep 15, 2011

Theresa G.

This is very true. With YouTube being the way it is. It also holds back those that are shy to actually getting videos out there : / that don't want to deal with the negativity.

Sep 16, 2011

Jalaina S.

@Heather, I've noticed that people seem to think that by saying "no offence" they can say any offensive thing they want. I had one viewer of a video comment on my weight. I'm like ok...and? I think people want to get a reaction from you.

I love that here people use there minds,maybe because Beautylish does have your real name and photo, and they think before they post garbage.

Sep 16, 2011

Heather H.

@Jalaina That is exactly what they're doing, "no offence, but I'm going to offend you". My parents raised me better than to be rude and mean to others, no matter how upset with life I am. That's right, people on Beautylish feel more accountable because of the face and name.

@Theresa Totally understandable that you and others don't want to deal with the negativity, at first it can be quite baffling and offensive.

@Shavon Connection is really important, most of us, I am sure, do not have friends who share the same passion for makeup. While some of my friends are makeup artists, not as many are as interested in all beauty products like I am.

@Dylan I was totally horrified by that site. They've said some really nasty untrue things about some of my friends. :(

Sep 16, 2011

Cynthia T.

I totally agree I can't even watch some tutorials on YT anymore because of all the hate. People are just so negative and don't care about others feelings. But here it's honestly the complete opposite! It's a great way to start videos and everyone is SUPER nice and supportive. It just has great positive vibes<3

Sep 16, 2011

Shelly T.

@Dylan...

<< I guess they just don't have the courage to be comfortable with themselves in real life, let alone on the internet, like so many of us do.>>

I think most people are their real selves online and have more confidence to be who they really are. It's a mixed bag.

<<And now there are actual trolling communities that actively plan and participate on flaming youtube users...>>

If you mean sites like Guru Gossip, as far as I'm concerned, that site (to me) is no different from any and all celebrity gossip sites out there.

That said, let's remember they have a section called "Rave About a Guru", where posters can praise the Youtube gurus they like. It's just that the opposite section gets more attention. (Once in a blue moon, they do raise some legitimate criticisms about some gurus, IMO. I won't say much more than that.) And let's also remember the members of GG are human beings, too. I believe they also have passion for the beauty community; they just have a different focus.

Sep 16, 2011

Dylan P.

@Shelly,

a) I'm speaking mainly about the people who feel the need to flame others and post horrible, mocking videos of other users.

b)
Heather H said:

"@Dylan I was totally horrified by that site. They've said some really nasty untrue things about some of my friends. :("

It's not the fact that this site exists, and I understand that you might like the site for its other content, but the fact that things like ^^that^^ is appalling. It's the people I'm ashamed of, not the site.

Sep 16, 2011

Stephanie F.

Heather,

I couldn't have said all that better myself! It is nice to be more personal on here, and making videos is really putting yourself out there!

I went back and forth over whether or not I was going to ever do fashion videos because I am plus sized and was afraid of the comments I might get. But then I watched LisaLisaD1 talking about how she dresses to impress herself and will not be limited by her age, she was getting some negative comments saying she dressed 'too young'. Something about her bravery made me somehow braver, too. Woman power or something...haha! The next day I did the plus size video, and I got such positive feedback. But more than that, I realized how long I had been ashamed of my figure, how much that affected my view of myself overall--and now I can work on that. I still worry a bit when I do one, but it's getting better! I guess that's what matters. I gotta like me before anybody else will be able to, huh? ;)

--Cookie
http://www.youtube.com/cookiefarrer
--Cookie
http://www.youtube.com/cookiefarrer

Sep 17, 2011

Heather H.

@Stephanie I hear you! I was also very hesitant to do OOTD videos because I was afraid of the criticism, but I have some amazing subscribers and I really had nothing to worry about in the end. Unfortunately, even when you're 110 lbs you can still be unhappy with your figure. I've worked quite a bit on being happy with myself and I can say that I am satisfied with my body now, which is much better than 5 years ago.

@Shelly I wish the human beings on GG were more compassionate and kept in mind that the YouTubers ARE also human beings. No one said that celebrity gossip sites were okay. People thrive on toxic gossip and like the old saying, misery loves company. 

Sep 17, 2011

Stephanie F.

@Heather,

You are right, it's what we look like that really determines how we feel about ourselves. It's so easy to distort the truth in our own heads, to exaggerate every flaw. I am so glad you see now how beautiful you really are.

--Cookie
Makeup Tutorials, Reviews, and Plus Size Fashion Videos
http://www.youtube.com/cookiefarrer

Sep 17, 2011

Binks B.

Heather, one of the main reasons why it took me so long to be comfortable to post in beautylish is because I had the wrong idea that it would be like Youtube! I totally agree with you on that this site is soooo amazing and encourages so much positivity! I love this website and everyone in it <3

Sep 17, 2011

Alicia D.

Heather I completely agree with you. You, among many others that I watch, throw yourselves out there and just want to express your talents and for that to be judged by others the way it is on YouTube is horrible. I made a channel on YouTube and it took me a long time because I didn't want to get into the bashing and all. I am glad that I made my channel and I just have fun doing my videos and that's all that it should be. Those who just sit on a computer and harass others for no reason other than they have nothing better to do with their time are pathetic and should just let those who make videos do what they want to do. There are always going to be those people unfortunately, but as long as they don't change who you are and your views and style, then they aren't accomplishing much. You are one of my favorite YouTubers and one that I look up to so much! I am glad that Beautylish is a great group of people who all share the same interest with no bashing or negativity! This website is a great outlet and is full of friendly people and great education!

Sep 17, 2011

Kristen I.

I agree. Everyone on here is really nice and positive, which keeps me coming back. No one has been rude or nasty to me on youtube, but i've seen some youtubers get ridiculed in comments and I just shake my head.

Sep 18, 2011

Karlee V.

I've only been on youtube 6 months and had one comment saying I'm a f*cking beast. I just wrote back, Thanks hunni, everyone is entitled to an opinion.. He didn't write back no more. I did delete the comment though because he was naked on he's channel! Made me feel sick! LOL.

I just think it depends on how people deal with the hate, just write nice comments back like thanking them and they don't write back because they don't have a reaction to reply too. I've seen some really bad comments and stuff that people have wrote and it's usually people that don't have the courage to put themselves on youtube for everyone to see because they are afraid of getting negative comments.

Nobody is perfect and I can almost guarantee that the trollers that enjoy hurting people online wouldn't say it to peoples face and they all are insecure about themselves.

I'm still gonna make videos no matter what happens because I enjoy it and it's sad because I've seen a few girls quit because of all the hate they're getting! =[ x

Sep 18, 2011

Stephanie F.

Karlee,

Good for you! You are definitely not a beast. Beautiful!

I am nowhere near getting hate, but I think I will write back if I do--only to say 'hey, thanks for watching and taking the time to comment!' lol that's a whole lot of effort to hate with! I never write a comment unless I really like something, so I don't get the mentality. But as someone who watches a ton of videos, I know that I always feel better somehow when the guru answers in a classy way.

--Cookie
Makeup Tutorials, Reviews, and Plus Size Fashion Videos
http://www.youtube.com/cookiefarrer

Sep 18, 2011

Karlee V.

Yeah, I don't understand where the fun is wasting your life on putting others down. I'm not getting hate yet apart from that one comment when I first started. I'm sure it will start coming soon, I just think.. Let it. They can't affect my life. They don't even know me. =]

Sep 18, 2011

Stephanie F.

Best. Attitude. Ever. ;)

--Cookie
Makeup Tutorials, Reviews, and Plus Size Fashion Videos
http://www.youtube.com/cookiefarrer