Rachel Mains, 14, of Fort Wright, has been wishing for a modeling career since she was a 6-year-old prancing around in her mother's lingerie and high heels.

        “I used to try on her Victoria's Secret lingerie and pretend I was a model,” she says.

        She got Step One of her wish earlier this month when she earned a two-year contract through a model search sponsored by L.A. Models, a large West Coast agency.

        The Scott High School freshman was one of 12 finalists selected from 40,000 entrants to compete in a show in Los Angeles. She was one of two third-place runners-up.

        Rachel saw an ad in Seventeen magazine in early May, sent in a photo and her stats and jetted to the West Coast with her mother, Maria Michalack, last week.

        After a couple of days of costume fittings and rehearsals, Rachel and the other finalists answered questions and modeled several outfits for judges with entertainment and modeling backgrounds. Pop-diva Vitamin C hosted and entertained at the event, held at the Hollywood club Sixteen-Fifty.

        Part of the competition was answering “life”' questions. When Rachel was asked to name the person who has personally inspired her to reach her goals, she named her mother.

        “My mom, with her go-for-it attitude, has always told me I can do anything if I set my mind to it,” Rachel says.

        The 5-foot-9 1/2-inch blonde says eventually she'd like to switch from modeling to acting “or maybe something in pediatrics” later in life.

        Recalled: A nationally distributed eye-makeup remover is being recalled because it may be contaminated with bacteria that can damage the eyes, the Food and Drug Administration has announced.

        The recall involves 16,300 bottles of Pierre Fabre Physicians Formula Eye Makeup Remover Lotion distributed between March 14 and May 28.

        The agency said the lotion may be contaminated with two types of bacteria that can cause sight-threatening infections.

        The lotion is sold in 2-ounce bottles with 698 on the back and either batch number 0821 or 0601 on the bottom. It is made by Physicians Formula Cosmetics of Azusa, Calif.

        The FDA said no injuries have been reported from the product, but it urged consumers not to use it. The makeup remover can be returned to the place of purchase for a refund. Those with questions can contact the company at (800) 227-0333. The FDA Web site is www.fda.gov.

        Arthritis bra: Fastening a bra is an easy, everyday task — unless arthritic fingers make it a chore. Now there is a solution in the Arthritis Bra by Leading Lading, based in Beechwood, Ohio. The Arthritis Bra has a front loop closure that uses Velcro. $19-$41 at Independent You, 761-1866. Also sold through JC Penney and Lane Bryant catalogs. Information: www.leadinglady.com.

        Contact Joy Kraft by phone: (513) 768-8467; fax: 768-8330; e-mail jkraft@enquirer.com.

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