Books > My Beauty > Behind the Book

Every day I am filled with joy at what an amazing time this is for girls. What makes it so amazing? Community! Never before have girls been able to connect with each other in the way they can today. The conversation is global and it never stops. I created the My Tween Lifestyle Collection: My Life, My Self, My Beauty, and My Look to welcome a huge community of girls from around the world who are interested in fashion, fitness, and true beauty. My mission is to help every girl be the best she can be — to celebrate her unique self and to let it shine through for the whole world to see! My books, mission, and website, JustAskMarlene.com (JAM), evolved from my heartfelt commitment to helping girls make the road to adulthood a lot less stressful and a lot more fun. As President of Wilhelmina Kids & Teens for over a decade, I knew there was something meaningful in all that seems superficial. For me, it was to use my voice of authority in the world of modeling to empower all girls to be the best they can be and have their beauty shine through. When I was the age of the girls I work with every day, nobody talked much about self-esteem. But, I had it. I wasn't the prettiest. I wasn't the most popular. I often wore my sister's hand-me-downs. But for some reason people looked up to me as if I had the key to cool. I believe this was because when I woke up, even on those bad hair days, I accepted myself as the best me I could be. And when in doubt, I knew where to go to for guidance. Today’s girls are bombarded with so many different messages, keeping it all straight can be tough. The Tween Lifestyle Collection tells it like it is in a fun and visually exciting way. During the past ten years I have kept a special journal of great beauty tricks, fashion, and health tips from the industry's top photographers, editors, designers, nutritionists, stylists, and hair and makeup artists. For some time I have wanted to share this insider’s information with tween and teen girls going through adolescence. This journal, which has become the primary source book here at the agency, is the basis for the My Tween Lifestyle Collection of books. I can’t tell you how excited I am to be able to share my secret, private journal with you! When you read one of my books, you will find a bright and playful world brimming with news, insights, and unique perspectives on modeling, fashion, beauty, health/ fitness, and self-esteem. So much to do, to read, to share! I can hardly begin to say how excited we are about the My Tween Lifestyle Collection. I know that the road through adolescence can be a bumpy one but if one girl takes one idea from the My Tween Lifestyle Collection, I am sure it will help them to champion the path and become a confident young adult — and the world is changed forever. I like to think that wherever your dreams take you, My Tween Lifestyle Collection will help you get there.