Spin off of another post,
When will you let your LO's wear make-up? In or out of the house? Will you discourage it?
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We started letting my step-daughter wear make-up in jr high (6th grade), with some bb cream and light/natural eye shadows/ eye-liner. She's a freshman now and still keeps it pretty basic, because that's what she prefers.
A friend of mine has a 3rd grader who is obsessed with you-tube tutorial videos, so wears some pretty obvious make-up most days, including to school. Lipstick, eyeliner, smokey-eye, mascara.
My first thought is no way would I allow that, but then again, what does it hurt if it's something she really likes to do? I'm torn, but I don't think I would ever encourage it or even introduce that much make-up at such a young age. I do wear make-up daily, but it's pretty basic. -
We recently went to Disney World and my 5 year old got a make over at the boutique. They gave her a pallet with eyeshadows and lip glosses to take home and every now and then she asks if she can put on some of her make up. I let her do it whenever she asks. It's her face and it's not hurting her or anyone else. She does it because she thinks it's fun... not because she thinks she "needs" it to look pretty. If it ever did feel like that I would have some frank discussions with her about how she's beautiful just as she is and she should never feel like she "has" to wear make up.
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I think I would be okay with a very basic amount -- like cc cream, lip gloss, mascara from about 11/12 or so?
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So I'm not a girl mom at the moment, so I'm not sure what I would do... Probably 13/14ish? Depends on how much and like others have said why she thinks she needs it. My 2 sisters and I weren't allowed to wear makeup until we were 16; but then again we weren't allowed to do a lot of things until we were 16. I don't wear makeup daily either.
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Probably 13/14 if they want to. DD1 is already obsessed with lip gloss and nail polish and she's 4.5.
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not sure - maybe middle school?
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16. I see that as a coming of age in so many respects. Makeup is something women wear, and a 16 year old is a young woman in my eyes.
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Middle school and even with that I would place limits on products and colors and she would have to demonstrate she could take care of her skin. Honestly, my mom’s skin care routine and rules around removing make up is probably why I don’t wear it much to this day.
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I think I was allowed to wear light natural makeup in middle school and it seems reasonable to me. Our family all has really dark under eyes so concealer was probably pretty early and I think maybe mascara and colored lip balm. I had been exposed to makeup from ballet stage makeup so that might have hastened it.
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@Truth Bombs: I think that's a good approach, I don't see what the big deal is if it's just for fun. If my son sees me putting on makeup and wants to play with it, I'd let him, too.
I think I started wearing some light makeup in middle school. It wasn't because I was unhappy with how I looked or anything, I just liked it. I still think makeup is fun
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I started wearing eyeliner (purple, natch) in 6th grade, so I would be okay with it at that age, assuming I had a daughter. My mom wore basically no make up, but I read a ton of magazines, so that is how I was influenced and wanted to experiment. I look at it as an extension of clothing. I do it for me, no one else.
I honestly don't know how I would handle my son asking to wear it.
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I'm not sure what age we will decide it's okay. But we plan to approach makeup and clothing in a similar way - try not to ban things but focus on when certain things are appropriate. Much like a sequin crop top isn't appropriate for school, heavy makeup isn't either. So things like a BB/CC cream, mascara, light lipgloss would be fine for school starting in middle school, I think. Though I hardly wear makeup I fully believe it can be a really fun way to express yourself. I also think banning it doesn't prevent them from wearing it. My youngest sister wasn't allowed to wear makeup until high school but she put it on almost everyday at school starting in 7th grade and would wash her face when she got home.
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@looch: Oh yes, Seventeen magazine - I'm pretty sure that's how I learned.
@catgirl: That's a good way to put it, that certain outfits aren't appropriate for school, so certain make-up shouldn't be either. -
I think intention is more important to age for me. If DD wants to wear makeup because it's fun, or to express herself, or because it's like art for her, then I'll be okay with it. I'm not okay with young girls wearing makeup to look sexy or because they don't feel pretty without it.
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Such an interesting question that I can't believe I haven't thought about before. I'm really into statement makeup looks (think bright red lips or "unicorn" eyeshadow - not together, lol) and wear interesting looks a lot of the time on weekends or when going out, and get so much enjoyment out of creating the effects. It's fun for me, not because I feel like I need it or are trying to look sexy. I don't think I'd have an issue if she's expressing an interest - even now at age 3, she likes to kiss my lips and say "I have lipstick like mama!". I really like the suggestion of "time and place" for different makeup looks - I wear makeup daily but when I'm going to work it is very obviously different than my look for weekends or going out. I think I'll be more intentional about conversations about that starting now!
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@Dahlia: Totally agree!
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We have let our 5+ year old wear it for special occasions. Just like putting on sparkly shoes or a shoe with a heel. I obviously apply it for her.
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I agree with others about intent. If it’s just for fun/play at home, why not? I’m not sure what age I’ll let my DD (or DS?) wear makeup to school. I remember wearing it in 8th grade, and it was one of those everyone else was doing it things and it was very light, like powder and one of those Clinique almost lipsticks.
@looch: it’s not quite the same thing, but I often paint DS’s toenails (his request). A few weeks ago we were at the playground and I heard an older boy ask him why he was wearing it and if he was a girl. Honestly, I was so proud when my son just said “I like it” and didn’t get embarrassed or ashamed, and we’ve repainted his toes since. If he wants to wear makeup someday, I’ll let him (within reason, just like DD).
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