Mary Kay Inc. was interested in finding out what women want in today's world, so we took a few months to learn from women in several countries around the world. They weren't shy and they held nothing back. We've been exploring these things over the last several posts, and we've reached #5. In addition to completeness, strength and independence, family + choice, and a fulfilling career, women around the world are longing for a connection and sisterhood with other women. For some, "girls night out" has become a never-to-be-missed weekly ritual. These female escapes provide carefree times, to get away, however briefly, from the everyday stressors of life. It can be as simple as meeting for tea or coffee, or involve pampering in the form of manicures/pedicures, or even full-blown weekend long retreats. Our girlfriends, in many ways, are our family. They provide a source of strength and security. They assist us when we need the help. They validate who we are and what...

We've reached #3 in our series exploring what Mary Kay has recently learned in our research with women around the world. One of the 10 things that women want today is family choices . We find that, while family IS very important to women from all cultures, what that family looks like and how women feel about it can be quite different than the traditional family models of the past. Even as divorce rates in Mexico rise dramatically, family is still strong. Our Mexican sisters, much like women in the US, spend a great deal of time and energy working to provide a better life for their children. They work hard to keep the family the center of their lives because they believe that the downfall of other countries is caused by the decline of the family unit. In China, many grandparents have the responsibility of child-rearing while the moms work to make their dreams a reality. This multi-generational approach to raising children is a growing trend in the US, too, as families hit by tough economic...