There’s a sneaky force taking over the minds of girls everywhere. Sound like the evil plot of a dark fictional cartoon? Fact is, TV and other forms of media, like teen magazines, have a huge influence on the health of teen girls. What you watch on the tube affects your self-esteem, shopping decisions and even facial expressions (eye-roll much?). But most of all, it affects how you feel about your body.

According to a recent study by the Girl Scout Research Institute, nearly three-fourths of girls fess up to comparing their looks to those of girls in the media.

The “Ugly Betty” Complex
On ABC’s “Ugly Betty,” the main character is forced to face her insecurities as a misfit working in the perfectionist world of fashion magazines. Surrounded by stick-thin models and cosmetically enhanced editors, Betty embraces a unique sense of style, which, along with her size, sparks ridicule from her co-workers. But here’s the thing: Betty is the most normal one of the bunch, braces and all!

Props to America Ferrara, who plays the lead role, for rocking the same healthy attitude in real life that Betty portrays on the show. America, like Betty, doesn’t get blinded by the glitz and glam of celebrity culture. And Betty, like America, feels OK about herself despite her superficial surroundings. Maybe that’s because she knows models are thinner than a whopping 98 percent of us!

Welcome to “The Real World”
Here’s something that might shock you: Celebrities are human! That’s right, the celebs you see on TV get zits, wake up with dark circles under their eyes and have frizzed-out hair days. So why do they always look so put together on camera? Well, you’d have a celeb-perfect look too if you had an entourage of professionals -- makeup artists, hairstylists, custom spray-tanning pros -- to help you get ready for school in the morning, right? And then there are all those other tricks of the TV trade: lighting, camera angles, digital editing.

Glance around your classroom, and you’ll see girls of all different body types. Does TV represent this? Hardly. Even “reality” shows like “The Real World” on MTV almost always cast only those who photograph the best. (Realize too that the most photogenic people are not necessarily the most beautiful.)

Over “The Hills”
Heidi Montag, star of MTV’s “The Hills,” serves up a cautionary tale. The 23-year- old got sucked into the “perfect beauty” myth and recently underwent a 10-hour marathon of plastic surgery to drastically alter her appearance. Among other procedures, Heidi had her breasts increased to DDD size; liposuction on her neck, waist, hips and thighs; and a butt augmentation. On top of the changes to her bod, she had so many alterations done to her face that she’s barely recognizable as the fresh-faced young girl she used to be.

“She was so pretty before, and now she looks weird,” says 11-year-old Megan, a Girl World Daily reader. “TV can be a big influence, but I’ve learned it’s basically kinda fake. Nobody is perfect!”

Yes, we hope you love yourself exactly the way you are right now. But life is about continuously growing and evolving, and what better time than the new year to make positive changes?

“I’ve been wearing my hair the same way since I was 5.”
Ponytails and headbands are great, but could it be time to update your do? Cropped pixies and bobs are expected to be popular in 2010 if you’ll let your stylist go scissor-happy. (C’mon, be brave!) If you’re adamantly against short hair, go shoulder length but play with it: buns or low ponies, curly or straight, middle or side part.

“I have OK clothes, but I don’t really have a style.”
So, you throw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt most days? Great, but put a little personality into your look! You can really punch it up with accessories. Take a fashion trend -- hats, shawls and denim jackets are hot this season -- and make it your own by adding, say, that punk-rock pin you keep stuck to your bedside lampshade. Stylin’!

“I’m so sick of the drama between me and my friends.”
If you and the BFFs consistently have conflicts, remember: You can’t change their behavior, but you can change your own. So, take an honest look at your actions and promise yourself three things:

1.    “I will not put my friends down.”

2.    “If it’s not my biz, I’ll stay out of it.”

3.    “I won’t hold grudges.”

Follow these rules, and your relationships should improve.

“My grades aren’t too bad, but I know I could do better.”
If you know you’re not doing your best work, then you’re not trying hard enough. It’s one thing if you’re giving it your absolute all and still only coming out average, and that’s OK. But if you’re just getting by when you know you could be even slightly better? Crack the books. If you need a little boost, ask your teacher for some pointers.

“I just wish my parents would get off my back.”
Sometimes it seems the parentals are pushing you too hard, and the very next sec, they’re reining you in. Yeah, we know. Your best bet? Demonstrate maturity. Show them you’re responsible by coming home at curfew, keeping up with schoolwork and doing chores without being asked. We can almost guarantee this will keep them off your case -- and maybe even give you bargaining power for negotiating extra privileges!

Think you’re old enough to wear makeup, but the parentals aren’t down with it? What’s wrong with a little eye shadow … and liner and lipstick and foundation? When it comes to makeup, a little goes a long way. Prove to your parents that you know how to apply cosmetics -- subtly.

Start With a Little Gloss
The trick is to ease your parents into the idea of their little girl wearing makeup, and lip gloss is a good starting point. It’s light and it looks natural while adding a shimmery glow. Go for a clear gloss or something with a hint of sheer color. If you have a fair complexion, try pink or peach. For olive skin, choose mocha or honey. Dark skin looks awesome in nudes or bronzes.

A Bag Over Your Head Is Not an Option
At your age, you don’t need foundation to even out skin tone. But your parents should be OK with your using a concealer to cover the occasional zit. Here’s how: First, gently apply astringent to the blemish with a cotton ball -- don’t pick! Next, dab on concealer in a shade that’s close to your natural skin color and blend it by lightly brushing outward. Let it dry before setting it with a cotton swab dipped in loose face powder.

Practice a Little Makeover Madness!
Flip through magazines for tasteful daytime looks and have a makeover party with your friends. When doing makeovers with friends, use clean applicators and brushes to avoid passing around bacteria. To apply eye shadow and lipstick, you can use a disposable cotton swab. Some drugstores even sell disposable mascara wands. Or you can give individual tubes of mascara as party favors, which even come in purples and emeralds.

Step It up for Special Occasions Only
You might be able to convince your parents to let you get more creative with the makeup when dressing up for dances and parties. For now, stick to eye shadow. Brush a medium shade from your lash line up to the eyelid crease. Blend a deeper shade from the crease to slightly above it -- but not up to your brows. Celebrate the season with shades that sparkle!

Nikki Goldstein, author of GirlForce: A Girl’s Guidebook for the Body and Soul, gave us the inside scoop on how air, fire and Earth elements dominate your well-being, based on the ancient practice of Ayurveda. One elemental energy rules for most girls. What’s your type? Read below to find which one fits you best…then be your best you!

Are You an Air Girl?
Girls who are air types are generally creative and adventurous with slim frames. They can be tall or short, but usually have brownish skin, dark freckles, frizzy hair, small eyes, small teeth (sometimes cute and crooked) and dark eyes.

Standout traits Imaginative and quick-witted, you’re a natural-born innovator. You’d make a good fashion designer or astrophysicist. Too much to do, so little time? You also tend to get stressed, scatterbrained, nervous and exhausted.

Make it work Get plenty of rest and eat warm meals. Light and gentle exercise, such as yoga or tai chi, is balance for your body and mind.

Are You a Fire Girl?
Fire-type girls are passionate and determined. They often have medium-sized athletic builds, reddish and blond hair tones, and piercing green-blue or hazel eyes. Skin tends to get sunburned.

Standout traits You make everyone’s party list because you’re dynamic, passionate and magnetic. Still, you’re not always right! It’s a virtue to be a good loser and let others share some of the spotlight.

Make it work To take the pressure off, try swimming and outdoor sports to keep you cool and balanced. Also skip the coffee and fried foods and eat salads and fresh fruit instead.

Are You an Earth Girl?
Earth types are often dreamy and low-key. You might have a larger, curvy build, skin that is pale for your race, thick hair, and large, dark brown or blue eyes. Earthlings generally don’t like exercise.

Standout traits You’re the one everyone depends on in a crisis. You’re a devoted friend who brings balance to any relationship. But when you let yourself go, you end up horizontal.

Make it work Don’t give in to your laid-back nature to the degree that you become lazy and lackluster. You need a light diet that includes plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, plus plenty of regular exercise. Push yourself to meet new people and avoid relationship ruts.

It’s no big secret that the global economy is gasping for air. And that can certainly put a pinch on your just-for-fun funds. But it doesn’t mean you have to hunker down under a gray cloud of boredom. There are plenty of things you and the gang can do for a good time. No need to reach too deep into your wallets!

Dinner and a Movie
Round up the crew for pizza and movies at your place. Stash the carryout menu! Instead, hit the supermarket for shells (pita bread works great for pizza), sauce and cheese. Have everyone bring their favorite toppings and start the party in the kitchen. Heat the oven to 450 F, and let all your friends pitch in on the pizza assembly line. Bake about 10 minutes or so, then serve up some slices. Dessert? Try popcorn sprinkled with cocoa powder, cinnamon and sugar and munch on it while the movie rolls. Pssst…dim the lights.

Stay-at-home Spa
Get together with a pal for some pampering and a fresh glow. In a small bowl, mix up a moisturizing facial scrub of one-fourth cup brown sugar, plus one tablespoon each of sea salt, olive oil, honey and milk until it’s like a grainy paste. Apply with fingers in a circular motion to a clean face and leave on for 15 minutes before rinsing.

For a soothing foot soak, fill the bathtub up to your ankles with warm water. Toss in a handful of baking soda or Epsom salt, plus a dash of essential oil or vanilla extract. Sit on the edge of the tub and sink your feet in. Afterward, dry those tootsies, and polish each other’s toes with an eye-popping color while listening to soft music.

Swap ‘n’ Shop
Turn your bedroom into a department store. Clear your closet of all the clothes and accessories you never wear. Tell your friends to do the same, then gather up the goods for a grand giveaway gala. Stack all the sweaters neatly on a chair, group the shoes together, put jeans into a neat pile, hang belts over a door, display jewelry on a shelf. Make it look like an uber-chic boutique. After setting up, it’s time to shop…um, swap. No price tags because everything is free. Go at it, girls!