Girls

Dear Diary...lots of girls keep their thoughts under lock and key. It's said that many girls grow up believing they can do anything and then become tweens and lose that confidence. The Hidden World of Girls Project gives parents some insight into the minds of their daughters. NPR's initiative asks women to take a picture of a diary page of their youth and upload it to Flickr in an effort to "form a comprehensive tapestry — from elation to depression — of life experiences." The entries thus far include crayon doodles and poetry, an elaborate boy rating system, and records of every day life. Add yours! Or share your best tween kept secrets with your daughter.

In junior high, would you have imagined that this endearingly awkward girl would grow up to be a model? That's exactly what happened, and Before You Were Hot has the proof. Former ELLEgirl editors Anne Ichikawa and Melissa Walker started the site to look at the ugly ducklings who later became swans. Readers (such as this DARE graduate) submit geeky photos along with the stories behind them. "Being 'hot' isn't about looking like Angelina Jolie," Ichikawa says of the project. "It's all about how you feel about yourself and being comfortable in your own skin."

We talked with the duo to find out more about their inspiration, what current trends are unlikely to age well, and more. For the Q&A (and to see the "now" shot of the girl in the photo), keep reading.

We are excited to bring you another post by model, entrepreneur, and guest blogger Josie Maran! This week, she's talking about the beauty lessons she hopes to pass along. Take it away, Josie:

One of my biggest beauty role models is my mom, so I can only hope that my daughter, Rumi Joon, one day looks at me the same way. With over 17 years in the modeling industry, I’ve obviously spent a lot of time in the makeup chair. But what I’ve learned is that real beauty comes from within, and that’s something I hope Rumi comes to understand as she grows older. I want her to feel comfortable in her own skin, and to not be afraid to wear bold colors, try new products, and define her own style.

To find out how being pregnant contributed to the ethos of Josie Maran Cosmetics, keep reading.

If you thought the story about 6-year-olds in the UK wearing makeup to school was bad, then I've got some unpleasant news for you: adult makeup use in children has jumped sharply in the US as well. Eighteen percent of kids ages 8-12 are using mascara, and 15 percent are using eyeliner and/or lipstick — all more than five percent increases over the numbers from just two years ago.

If makeup usage among small girls continues to grow at this rate, one-third of all third-graders could be wearing makeup on a daily basis five years from now. And this month, a study from Mount Sinai Hospital revealed that girls with early onset puberty had abnormal levels of the phthalates found in some beauty products, possibly suggesting there may be a link between childhood makeup usage and unhealthy development.

Interestingly, though, there seems to be a backlash brewing among teens, as the "How to Apply Makeup Like a High School Girl" YouTube phenomenon and its many tribute videos suggest. What do you think? Should makeup come before puberty? And do you think this is a fad that's about to be on its way out, or will second-graders be giving smoky eye tutorials in Show and Tell by 2020?

When planning Easter outfits for the kids, your son might be a cinch, but his sister pays a bit more attention to detail. Finding the perfect ensemble that's pretty and practical is easy if you stick to two hot trends this season — stripes and florals!

More Janie and Jack...

If this isn't what you're looking for, check out more Easter-ready style when you read more

It's not your mama's tunic...is it? Moms love Tory Burch because the designer's tops and sweaters make a statement even when paired with a simple pair of jeans. The flattering lines and punchy colors that make the garments staples in many women's wardrobes are now available for your mini mes. And, we got a sneak peak at the new items in the Little Darlings collection. For $95, your daughter can choose seven different Tory tunic prints and five Simone cardigan colors. Check them out!

Lots of little girls play with their hair, but one Milwaukee first grader experienced a harsh punishment for doing so. LaMya Cammon, a 7-year-old at Congress Elementary School, said that her teacher snipped off one of her braids when she wouldn't stop playing with them in class. The girl's mother, Helen Cunningham, isn't happy with the teacher, asking, "Why would we want someone like that teaching our kids?" LaMya has been moved to another class, and police gave the teacher a $175 ticket for disorderly conduct.

But that isn't the only hair-based drama to unfold for students in the past month. To find out about a child who's too young for kindergarten but not too young for a suspension, read more