When I look at paintings of historic figures, I can't help but notice that a great deal of them sport powdered wigs. Since my days as a youth in history class, I've wondered why this is so, and recently I stumbled upon an article that demystified the practice for me. As it turns out, it was a syphilis outbreak in Europe in the late 1500s that triggered a huge demand for wigs. People used powdered wigs called perukes -- made of goat, horse, or human hair and coated with scented powder -- to hide the baldness, bloody sores, and unseemly aromas caused by the STD. Interestingly, at the time, long hair was a trendy status symbol, and a bald head was considered hideous enough to besmirch one's reputation. Thus, it's no surprise people went to such lengths to acquire perukes and avoid that kind of shame. Although common, wigs weren't considered stylish until 1655, when Louis XIV, the King of France, began wearing them to hide his balding. Five years later, Charle...

A beautiful person doesn't need to have great hair, gorgeous eyes, or a ravishing body. A beautiful person isn't necessarily the smartest or most self-confident of the bunch. While these attributes certainly enhance the overall appeal of a person, they don't make him or her beautiful . What truly makes someone beautiful is their inside . Beauty is only skin deep. I know there has to be some level of physical attraction, but society makes it out to be far more important than it should be. When you meet someone, ask yourself these questions: Do I see myself being with this person for the rest of my life?  Do I see myself remaining with this person even in our later years, when his or her good looks begin to fade?  (Remember, yours will too.) If you truly prioritize finding someone with a great heart above all else, the answers to the above questions should be no-brainers. A beautiful person puts others before oneself, remains positive under even the...