Would you care about the way you look if you were stranded on a desert island? Do you believe those closest to you when they tell you that you’re beautiful?

If you’re like most people, the answer to both questions is probably no.

You might try to ignore the very human desire to feel attractive, but it is almost impossible to do. There are myriad explanations for this, from the sociological to the biological, but I think we can all agree that the pursuit of beauty, or at least the desire to feel beautiful, is universal. The curious thing is that we need to hear it from others in order to believe it - and if that person is a virtual stranger the compliment somehow seems more valid. But if someone who knows and loves you (say, your mother) tells you that you’re perfect, you don’t believe her, because she “has” to say that.

(Funny how that works.)

The women of the internet have taken notice of this and they are putting the power of the stranger’s compliment to good use. They are building communities and viral movements with the sole intention to help other women look and feel good.

One of the healthiest trends (literally) is the rise of groups of women who are coming together to get fit. Sites like Shredheads and Bodies in Motivation have built incredibly supportive communities and provide accountability for women (and some men!) who have made the commitment to get fit and live healthier lifestyles.

Both sites offer the usual mix of tips and contests, but what sets them apart from a typical fitness site is that  members post or link to pictures of their progress and community members offer enthusiastic encouragement -- both to the poster who gets confirmation from dozens of strangers that yes, the workout routines are indeed working, and to potential members who see that change is possible.

Not everyone wants or needs to get fit - sometimes all you need is a little help with your look. Who hasn’t looked in the mirror and wished someone would tell them what to do with their hair? At Hair Thursday, Sarah and her readers offer advice and compliments to readers who submit photographic pleas for help with their hair. I love how the changes are typically subtle, realistic, and that the tone is always positive - in fact, women are often told that their hair looks fine just the way it is. Don’t you just love that?

Other sites focus on accepting yourself as you are, beautiful, right now. The Shape of A Mother showcases real women's bodies after giving birth because the "post-pregnancy body is one of this society's greatest secrets." Mothers share incredibly intimate stories and photographs of their bodies and strangers celebrate every stretch mark and inch of newly-sagging skin. I'm pregnant with my third child, and while I've gone back to my pre-pregnancy size after every baby my body has never been quite the same. Some say it's just aging, but the sheer speed of the changes is shocking (aging something like nine years in nine months is no picnic) and seeing other mothers who've experienced this as well is powerful.

Operation Beautiful aims to take the message that "you are beautiful just the way you are" out of the computer into the real world. Users leave simple affirmations in places both expected (public bathroom mirrors) and unexpected (inside magazines) and share photos of the notes on the site. The "operation" has been criticized as being just feel-good nonsense, after all, how does a random note writer know that some random recipient is, indeed, beautiful?

I say that's the point. I would be thrilled to find a random note telling me I look good. It sure beats the alternative.

I sincerely hope that these communities of women inspire all of us to share compliments more freely with the people in our lives. I also urge you to accept compliments, not just from virtual strangers, but from the people near you -- the people who know that you are beautiful. Remember, no one has to say anything nice to you. (No, not even your mother.)

When someone tells you are beautiful, believe them.

Roxanna blogs at Miguelina. By the way, your hair looks great today.