When was the first time you put on your first stitch of makeup? I think, for me, I was about three years old in my dance recital. It’s crazy to think that I was introduced to makeup at such an early age, but I wonder if that has anything to do with my love for it now. According to a recent article with the Canadian Press, it should have affected me in a different way.

In the article, Karen Grant, an NPD beauty-industry analyst, says that she thinks when girls start at a young age (such as pre-teen years) they are actually not as fascinated by it in older years (like their late teens). I don’t know if I can agree with that. Now, don’t get me wrong – just because I had a little bit of blush and lipstick on at the age of three, doesn’t mean that I was obsessed with makeup every day since then. I think it actually took me a bit longer to get down some kind of routine (or even to be allowed to use any sort of makeup, for that matter). It’s not like the baby beauty queens of today that get filmed for reality television. That may be a different case altogether.

I think that each person has their own personality and own progression when it comes to makeup. The Canadian Press article also suggests that girls are becoming interested in makeup earlier with all the latest spa and makeup parties that allow them to bond with their friends and mothers. While this may be true, I don’t think that this is when girls begin the obsession. They must explore it on their own and will come into their own routine in their own time. Some girls don’t even like makeup.

But I must agree with the article’s thoughts on the popularity of mascara throughout time. I, myself, don’t ever leave home without mascara on. It really has the ability to brighten your face – it’s a great beauty product.

What products have you loved throughout your life?

-Amanda Fornecker

A few months ago, I noticed a different smell in the water every time I turned on the tap. I finally realized that chlorine had been introduced into the water as the main cleanser. It seemed very strange to me that such a harsh chemical would be used in water, but I didn’t really give it another thought. Then I read that the Paul Mitchell Schools are teaming up with LifeSource Water Filter Systems in an effort to minimize the damaging effects of such a change.

According to a press release last week, Paul Mitchell Schools says that chlorinated water makes it difficult to color hair, damages skin, and even speeds up the aging process. Who wants that?!

Paul Mitchell will now use the filter systems, beginning in two of their campuses, in an effort to reduce the amount of chlorinated water they use. This change comes after Paul DeJoria, founder of Paul Mitchell Schools, realized the benefits of using the water filter system in his schools – he had been using LifeSource in his house for 18 years now. It only made sense to transition the switch to his business for a more effective education for his beauty students and better salon treatments. Now, Paul Mitchell Schools students will reap the benefits and see great results in all their hard work.

And this is not the first beauty school that decided to do this. In 2006, Federico Beauty College began the same initiative.

-Amanda Fornecker

In Jordan, the first group of blind beauty students have become certified to work as beauticians. The truth of the matter is that those who are disabled have very little chance to make a living in Jordan and even those who find jobs, struggle to fit in in the workforce. That’s when Maram Nawas came up with the idea to teach blind women a skill with a beauty career.

At first, Nawas was met with extreme criticism and no one took her idea seriously, claiming she simply had too much time on her hands. The idea, to most, was preposterous. How could you teach blind individuals to work in a career that depends on helping another by enhancing their appearance to the general eye?

It seems that Nawas has been successful and she is working hard to go further. Her first group of beauty students have become certified and she is looking to get them eventually licensed as well. She has also just started another class for new students and an advanced class for returning beauty students. For these women who have been met with adversity in their lives, they are finally being given a chance to give something of themselves to the world. One student expressed her excitement at the prospect of becoming a hairdresser’s assistant.

These beauty students in this Jordan beauty school were mainly instructed to apply makeup and complete basic hairstyling tasks simply by touch. You can imagine that there is a learning curve with these things and Nawas has worked hard to instruct her students. It is by her example and this pioneer group of beauty students that will hopefully change the lives of these blind ladies for the better.

-Amanda Fornecker

I finally watched Jessica Simpson’s The Price of Beauty and I must say that I actually enjoyed it. Jessica is trying to educate America on the different ways of life that exist throughout the world. And in the meantime she gets to travel to some fabulous destinations!

This week, Jessica traveled to one of the fashion capitals of the world – Paris. Here, she focused on models and the runway. Throughout the show there are various facts popping up on the screen that give you statistics and little bits of information that the audience has probably never realized before. One such fact included: fashion models are thinner than 98% of women. That is completely crazy. We always knew models were stereotypically thin and tall, but that is quite a statistic.

During the episode, Jessica spoke with a fashion model who faced the horrors of anorexia. She was so thin and sickly that it was sad to see. And the point of this was certainly to educate viewers on the realities of the dangers of the life of a fashion model. It’s intense and sometimes very dangerous.

It was great to see Jessica feeling rather comfortable (and at times vulnerable) in her own skin. It was interesting to have her walk the runway, yet be so nervous. You’d think that a pop singer superstar wouldn’t get the nerves Jessica faced when walking the runway. But we could see that she is just like a typical young woman who can easily be intimidated in an unfamiliar situation.

I think the main takeaway from the show is that beauty exists in many shapes, sizes, and colors. But true beauty is being able to be comfortable and happy with yourself. The true price of the elusive term “beauty” can have serious consequences when we let others define it for us. Skinny doesn’t have to be beautiful – and in the case of that French fashion model, it was certainly out of control.

I really enjoyed Jessica’s show. I think it shows us a side of other cultures that we might not normally see, even if we visited the country. I intend to continue watching, as Jessica seemed less ditzy (than how she has been portrayed in the past) and more endearing. In the coming weeks, I hope to see the many ways beauty is defined and what the true price of that may be.

-Amanda Fornecker