Sound Off! When is it Acceptable for Young Girls to Start Wearing Makeup?

Albert Michael/Startraks; F. Micelotta/Getty; GSI Media

This week, the comments were ablaze with questions of whether or not some cute celebrity ‘tweens were wearing makeup. While some argued it was OK for girls like Kaia Jordan Gerber and Ava Elizabeth Sambora to play with a little mascara or lip gloss, some thought it was too much too soon for the 7 ½- and 11½-year-olds. While every little girl can have some fun in her mom’s makeup bag — like True Harlow Fisher-Duddy, 3 — you want to be sure she’s not wearing too much at a young age.

So here’s your chance to Sound Off! Tell us when you think it’s acceptable for young girls to start wearing makeup.

Comments

I wasn’t allowed to wear makeup until I was 15. I think that’s an acceptable age.

- Carol A. on May 26th, 2009

I think all the girls look entirely as they should-exactly as girls their ages (especially little True!). I don’t think Kaia has too much on–she naturally seems to have very dark eyelashes–but at 7 or 8 it is a bit early for lipstick or mascara. 11 is the right age to start really experimenting on special occasions and Heather and allowing Ava to do it correctly–no blue eyeshadow or purple lipstick there (although Heather did wonderfully wear both in the ’80s!).

- Jen on May 26th, 2009

whenever their parents say it’s ok.

- brannon on May 26th, 2009

I wasn’t permitted to wear makeup (except for dance recitals) until I was in high school, and it had to pass inspection by my parents each morning before I left for classes. I think HS is an acceptable time to start wearing some light makeup. I don’t see a reason to wear it any younger.

- christina on May 26th, 2009

I don’t think it matters when as much as it matters HOW her role models wear make up. If the adult women in her life wear it as a security blanket, she will likely wear it as such. If her role models wear it for fun and self-expression, she will pick up on that attitude too. I think women need to quit using it as a security prop and start using it for what it is: an unnecessary but fun form of feminine sel-expression. We’re the ones who have unfortunately overblown our need and dependence on it. It’s just fun and unnecessary. We are beautiful without it really.

- Bitsy on May 26th, 2009

Personally, I don’t think this is a good topic for discussion. On every post containing a child who looks like they may possibly be wearing make up, it starts and uproar. Hopefully, by this being an open topic for discussion it will end all the critizism on each post and leave room for the genuine comments.

- Jaime on May 26th, 2009

My 5 year old put lip gloss on this morning before walking out the door. She is in kindergarten. She loves her sparkly lip gloss. Her whole world is sparkly pink! Do people really sit around and over think this stuff. She is a sweet child who likes lip gloss because she thinks it looks pretty on mommy. There is really nothing more to it than that. There are so many more important topics I will put my energy on when it comes to my daughter, lip gloss is simply not one of them. Life is short people, let’s lighten it up a little.

- g-girl on May 26th, 2009

I experimented with makeup from a young age in the house and I recall wearing lip gloss in junior high. I wore light makeup in high school, eyeshadow, eyeliner and some mascara. Personally, I wore it so light no one could tell because I was afraid of looking like a clown like the other girls in my school. If I had a daughter I’d let her start wearing a little make up around 14, 15. Makeup isn’t inherently bad, but I dont want my child THAT engrossed in her appearance at such a young age.

- Electra on May 26th, 2009

I think there’s nothing wrong with little girls playing with makeup at home or getting a tiny bit of gloss/chapstick once in awhile, but otherwise, after age 10 or 11, depending on the child, I’d allow it for special occasions and only using very light makeup… and after about age 14 or 15 (depending on the child), they could wear light makeup everyday.

I understand the need to practice using it, but let’s not rush girls into adulthood.

- Kat on May 26th, 2009

i think this is 100% up to the parents. I do not mind my children playing with makeup at the house. I think you start off young with just a little gloss and then add on more. Yet, i would never tell a parent that their child is to young for makeup.

- Monica on May 26th, 2009

I think I started wearing heavier makeup like mascara and eyeshadows around Middle school. 7th grade I guess. I have a 4yr old and she loves to play with lip glosses. Im fine with lip glosses and pretend make up till about middle school. Then if put on lightly I would be fine with some more make-up.

- melanie on May 26th, 2009

I honestly don’t see anything wrong with seeing a young girl with a little colorless, sparkley lipgloss on. It’s youthful, fun, and a simple thing to appease a girl who may be curious about mommy’s makeup. I would probably allow my daughter to use a brown-black (but not straight black, as its too dramatic) mascara, as well as some sheer, pink toned lipglosses at age 13 on special occasions. As for everyday wear, I think 15 seems fair, but even then, only neutral colors, no black eyeliner and outrageous eyeshadow shades. Young girls should always look youthful and pretty when it comes to makeup, not overdone and dramatic.

- Molly on May 26th, 2009

I think lipgloss can be fun for little girls, but eye shadow/mascara/other makeup stuff, i’d say high school (or special middle school occasions) of course, it can be fun around the house, but its too easy for young girls to get mixed up and think they need it to be pretty (or not understand how to use it wiseley and not tacky-ly) unless their parents are creating an exceptionally healthy atmosphere at home where they know that’s not true (And i didn’t know many at all who did, growing up)

- Mey on May 26th, 2009

My nearly 4 yr old twin girls and 2 yr old son absolutely adore pretending to put on make up. They always ask for lipstick, which is actually clean chaptstick or one with a little sparkle. Playing is one thing, WEARING makeup out is another. I think we’ll play it by ear, but they should at least be in 7th or 8th grade before wearing makeup out.

- MammaDucky on May 26th, 2009

I used to loooove makeup (and still do)! But my mom would never let me use hers or give me makeup when I was a child. When I was 12 she finally got my first mascara and lipstick. But still then I would only wear it at parties and dances. It was only until I was 15/16 when I started wearing mascara everyday.

But I think every mother should make that decision for her daughter (or son!) herself. I’ll probably be a bit more lenient with my own kids. It’s just makeup really, and as long as you tell your kids that they don’t need makeup to be beautiful and it’s not on a daily basis, I don’t see the problem!

- carolina on May 26th, 2009

I started wearing make-up to school at 13/14.
I think it’s up to the parents, if they let their kids wear make-up that’s up to them.

- Bb on May 26th, 2009

Oh I’m so down with guy liner, my son can wear it at 10 if he wants too.

- Electra on May 26th, 2009

times have changed since I was a little girl. It just seems that girls are too eager to grow up now. But I think it depends on the child, the circumstance, and what make up. I REALLY believe that we should teach our daughters that we are beautiful as a person; makeup doesn’t make us the person. Nothing is wrong with lipgloss no matter what your age, but I think as a girl gets older and she shows she can be responsible she should be allowed more make up – like eye shadow or blush. I think full on make up should be in high school. We get mad at tabloids when they blast a size 8 person or show them without make up, but how are we to teach our daughters that they are beatiful if they are a little chunky or they don’t have the latest pair of jeans or a face full of make up?

- momto3 on May 26th, 2009

I think it’s absolutely inappropriate. As for Kaia, she’s been wearing make-up for quite some time now. My daughter just turned 13 and she is not allowed to wear make-up until she starts high school. This rule has been in place for as long as she can remember, and she follows it. Yes, she is constantly experimenting with it AT HOME, but outside, no way. They’re little girls for a short period of time, help them to be OK with that. Maybe if parents kept in mind what is important, instead of worrying about their kid keeping up with the Jones’, there wouldnt be so many LITTLE girls running around trying to act grown!!!

- jespen on May 26th, 2009

love it electra (and carolina) – boys can have fun too lots of my fifth grade boys are into nail polish right now and its very cool to see how open minded all these kids are – they don’t even think twice!

- brannon on May 26th, 2009

I agree the lip gloss is fun for most all ages and special occasions. I also think dress up make up at princess/tea parties is fine for little girls on birthdays etc.
As for daily make up wearing, like mascara, blush etc I think I will see if I can get my girls to hold off until late middle school or early high school.

- NikkiB on May 26th, 2009

i have 6 young girls who are 9, 7, 5, 3 and 7 months old and i will not allow make up until 13. I have already told my 9 year old this.

- emma on May 26th, 2009

I say that it is up to the parents to decide when there daughter is mature enough to wear make-up. Ava and Kaia both look very natural so that is a good start some young girls in their pre-teens cake on the make-up. True is obviously playing around.

- JC on May 26th, 2009

I think its whenever mother’s feel its alright for their daughters to where makeup. I myself wasn’t given an age limit on when i could where makeup. Its all part of being a girl.

- Alyssa on May 26th, 2009

To each their own. My 3 yr old loves to play with mommy’s make-up. And I don’t mind at all. I tell her she is beautiful no matter what.

- Meghan on May 26th, 2009

Playing about with make-up is perfectly ok as long as the child knows they are playing. 11 is too young to be wearing make-up in my opinion, although for some girls it may be the right age to start experementing occasionally.
Saying that I used to mess about with my mum’s make up as a kid and then had no interest in wearing it til I was past 16!

- Daisy on May 26th, 2009

If my little girls want to wear mascara and lipgloss like the two older girls pictured here, great! They look lovely! At that age I wanted blue eye shadow and red lipstick, neither of which I think are appropriate. And as for True, come on! She’s just playing around! Its funny!

- Christine on May 26th, 2009

Honestly? I think that if a little girl wants to wear makeup in private–there is no “too-young” age. Dress-up is fun and light and part of growing up.

Out in public is a totally different discussion. I wasn’t allowed until junior high, and I think that’s probably a pretty good age.

- MissMissy on May 26th, 2009

I have no problem with girls wearing light make-up for a special occasion, if their parents approve. And ABSOLUTELY no problem with playing dress-up. As for full-fledged make-up, I was allowed to start wearing concealer and lipgloss (and occasionally mascara) when my skin started being problematic around 13. I see that as entirely reasonable and appropriate, as long as the girl is taught the correct way to apply it, and doesn’t go overboard.

- Katy on May 26th, 2009

I was allowed to wear blush, lip gloss, light eyeshadow and the all-important mascara when I was in the 8th grade (ages 12-13). We blondes with light eyelashes could hardly wait to wear mascara!

- Alice on May 26th, 2009

Aside from the gloopy lipstick on True, I don’t really think the girls have makeup on. At least, not that I can tell. Maybe Kaia has some shimmer stuff on? But nothing that screams Makeup to me. Personally, my daughter will wear makeup as late as possible, I hope. But as long as she puts it on to enhance her natural beauty as opposed to a full on “Kelly Bundy” face(showing my age) then it’s not too big a deal for me.

- madylane on May 26th, 2009

When I was little my mom was giving to me her lipstick for a special occasions like going on a wedding and at 13-14 i was allowed to use sparkling lipgloss. And now I still don’t like to use to much make up even I’m adolescent just mascara and light lipstick for going out at night and more formal make for weddings and other types of celebrations.
And about little ones who want to play with make up I think it’s cute since my 3 years old cousin likes to put nail-polish and lipstick but it must have some limits since I have neighbour that allows her 7 years old daughter to go to school with make up on. ( powder, mascara, lipstick)

- ElenaS on May 26th, 2009

my mother and I used to have “beauty days” where she allowed me to use her millions of creams and we’d wear facial masks, hair masks (?) etc. (sometimes seriously just opening the fridge and slapping whatever you find on your face – MESSY lol) I think things like that are a good way to teach a young girl that it’s about feeling good, taking care of herself and not being someone else etc.

But, honestly, what do I know, I don’t live in Hollywood as Cindy Crawford’s daughter. My world’s a lot different.

- kai on May 26th, 2009

This is an interesting discussion. My daughter is almost 13 and has been wearing eyeliner for almost a year. She has been wearing mascara for about 6 months. But…she wears very black, many coats of both. I know most people probably wouldn’t agree but for me, it a statement she is making. She is trying to figure out who she is and where she fits in (like most if not all junior high students!) and this is just an expression of who she is. She has already changed her own ideas about what is right in the last year. I am sure most parents probalby wonder what the heck we are thinking letting her do that (and her blue and black hair!) but…I am also teaching her that it doesn’t matter what other people think if you are happy with being true to yourself.

- Jacquie on May 26th, 2009

Ava Elizabeth Sambora doesn’t even look like she’s wearing any make up, she’s is one naturally beautiful girl, I’ve known people with that color of hair and those naturally dark lashes. I don’t think little girls should be wearing dark colors of makeup, my daughter who is six dabs into my makeup once in awhile, but I wear a lot of neutrals so it’s not really noticeable unless you are right up on her. I don’t see a problem with it unless it’s just too dark.

- Tracy on May 26th, 2009

I had to wait until high school, to wear full make-up, and so will be daughters. I don’t see in issue with shimmer or lip glass during middle school though.

- Lacey on May 26th, 2009

Jacquie – I hope to have the same approach when my daughter gets older. I remember really wanting to wear makeup by the time I got to middle school, at first to fit in and later to stand out! It’s all a part of learning who you are.

- fnhdl on May 26th, 2009

I was allowed some lipgloss around middle school age, I believe, it was about 11 or 12 years old. I didn’t have a strict rule about no makeup, my mom let me explore and watch her occasional makeup routines and sometimes let me dab in her stuff. It all depends on the mother/daughter, in my opinion. I never really had much of an interest in makeup, sure for special occassions, but even today as an adult and mother, I rarely put the whole lot of makeup on. I think that it has to do with what the mother does as far as how concerned she is with applying makeup.

If you have a mother that routinely has it on every day, then the child is more likely to see it as something she should be doing also. If you’re more like me, and just throw a little powder and a dab of lipstick from time to time, then you will probably have a daughter like mine, she likes chapstick once in a blue moon, but has no real interest in it. I do however enjoy taking time for my hair, and my daughter sees that, so she’s following in that path a bit, occasionally asking for her hair to be curled or in a special fancy way.

It’s all in what the children observe. There’s the saying that children learn by watching, it’s no different in this case.

- Alice on May 26th, 2009

I think it’s a decision thats up to the parents. I never wore makeup in Elementary School unless it was dress up or my aunt’s wedding in which I wore lipstick.

6th grade was the “experimental” phase bc we saw all the older girls wearing makeup but even then it was a daily routine of makeup maybe occasionally wearing eyeshadow & some lip gloss to school & thats it.

Personally, I knew I wasn’t confident enough to wear makeup out of the house until high school bc I felt like a clown otherwise… I’m grateful that my parents weren’t sticklers with “No you can’t wear that eyeshadow…” & let me experiment bc it led me to find the shades that flattered my eyes, skin tone, etc.. & even during my experimental phase it was nothing outrageous. However, my parents more more strict when in came to knowing where I was, what movie I was seeing etc. which imo is more important than my lipstick shade

- Cate on May 26th, 2009

I think it’s very natural for little girls to be curious about make up but there is a time and a place for it. I didn’t start wearing make up until I was about 13. And even then it was a smidge of eye liner or eye shadow and a lip gloss. Even now at 26 I rarely wear it unless I am going out some place. But as a little girl of course my mom always let me put make up on her and she’d let me have a little bit of it on. But it was only for inside use and not to really be worn out of the house.

- JMO on May 26th, 2009

And btw in those pictures True looks like a darling just experimenting with mommy’s lipstick. Still very innocent. I don’t think Ava has any on. She’s just a natural beauty but Kaia, that’s another story. She looks like she’s posing for a magazine or something. Too much for my liking on a 7 yr old girl.

- JMO on May 26th, 2009

In high school, the nuns wouldn’t even let us wear flavored chapstick! We were permitted to wear “tasteful” makeup to the prom and that was it! I remember Sister Roberta standing at the door to the dance inspecting all of us, and she wasn’t above handing us a cloth to wipe off excess. I remember being told that if God intended for me to have purple eyelids, he’d have provided them.

So, I didn’t wear makeup until I was 17 (the prom), but it didn’t become a regular thing until college. I’m sure I played with my mom’s eye shadow before that, but even her supply of cosmetics was limited (I distinctly remember some blue eye shadow and two tubes of lipstick). I found lots of other ways to experiment with my identity.

- Michelle on May 26th, 2009

This is really interesting to read. I was not allowed to wear any makeup AT ALL while in “middle school” (my elementary went up to 8th grade so we didn’t have real middle school). I went away for high school so I guess my parents wouldn’t have known better, but it never occurred to me to wear makeup. I wore it for proms, but that was it. In college, again, only for special nights out. It was until this year (I’m 29) that I started wearing it every day for work (and even then, just a little blush and some eyeshadow). My mom didn’t wear makeup until almost 30 either so maybe that’s just what rubbed off on me. 13/14 seems awfully young to me to be wearing makeup to school though.

- Kara on May 26th, 2009

I wore makeup in 8th grade, but it had to be EXTREMELY light. I wasn’t allowed to decide how much/little/outlandish my makeup could be until I was 16, and even then Mom would give that look, and I’d fix it just to stop having the daggers glared at me.
My only daughter is in kindergarten, and I allow her to wear lipgloss if she wants to, and she can wear her sparkly lipgloss for special occasions. She is also allowed to use some makeup I have bought for her-pinks and light purples-at home. And I certainly don’t mind if she’s in my makeup. I feel that she is trying to discover who she is, and why would I stop her from becoming the person she wants to be?

- Amanda on May 26th, 2009

I started wearing eye liner when I was 10 and then foundation and mascara at 12, nothing too heavy. I still wear pretty much the same now at 19. When I was younger(4+) I would watch my mum put her make-up on and when she bloted her lipstick she would give the paper to me and I would blot it onto my lips so I thought I had some lippy on.
Last weeks episode of Desperate Housewifes Juanita wanted to wear make-up because she wanted to be like her Mother(Gabby) and after a whole kerfufel Gabby said to her that she could start wearing make-up when she knew she didnt need it. I really love that.

- Sammy-xx on May 26th, 2009

i think it’s okay if they are just playing dress up when they are little, but i dont think they should be wearing it regularly before age 13.

- amanda on May 26th, 2009

Joely Fishers daughters has had a blast with the makeup, where as Ava and Kaia look like the have their own personal makeup artist, and they are way too young to be looking that glam.
I think kids are growing up way too fast and need to stay kids for longer, makeup can be fun at home but I am not going to let my daughters go out looking like that, my 15 yr old has only just started wearing makeup, and you can hardly tell it is on there, and I like that.

- shan on May 26th, 2009

I allow my 8yo to wear lip gloss if she asks for some when I am putting my own on. I don’t wear a lot of makeup (foundation and occasional lip gloss) so I am not too keen on her wearing any until she’s much older. I said once she’s a teenager she can start experimenting. She needs to learn how to properly take care of her skin before adding makeup to the mix. It can be difficult to get everything off and I don’t want to be tucking her in at night with mascara and eyeshadow smeared all around her eyes.

- Lorus on May 26th, 2009

I have a 12 year old daughter. She loves chapstick and lip gloss, and likes to play with makeup at home. But she also sees that I wear little to no makeup on a daily basis and use makeup to accentuate my features for special occasions. She’s worn light eyeshadow and lip gloss to her first middle school dance, but I helped her with it to make sure it wasn’t too heavy.

It does kind of creep me out when I see “little girls” wearing so much makeup they look like they’re 30. We’ve actually got a couple of 13-14 year old girls who walk around the neighborhood in tiny tight little shorts and WAY too much makeup on. My daughter and I were out in the front yard doing some gardening when they passed by one day and my daughter took one look at them and said, omg mom, they look GROSS! Doesn’t their mother care that they’re out here like that?? All I could do is shake my head and laugh.

- Karoline on May 26th, 2009

I’m 30 and don’t wear makeup myself. I think it’s unnecessary for me as I have olive skin, pink cheeks and very long dark lashes. I do use skincare products and moisturise and use sunscreen. In winter I have chapstick to stop my lips getting red and split. I understand some women like make-up because they think it helps cover their flaws (I actually think it makes some flaws stand out even more!) or enhance their natural beauty but I don’t see why kids need it. I’m certainly not going to buy makeup just for a child to play with.

- Lilybett on May 26th, 2009

I don’t even think young girl should wear makeup! Natural beauty is most important. Makeup is gonna wreck their skin! Okay, maybe a lipgloss is okay, but like foundation, blush, eyeliner etc? I’m not so sure ……..

- Reader on May 26th, 2009

i guess the appropriate age is like about hs / college. kids shouldn’t wear makeup at a young age because once they get used to it, when they look at their face without makeup, they will look like a mess. Natural beauty all the way!

- Reader on May 26th, 2009

I would say at home for fun with dress up is okay at whatever age. To wear out and to school I would say middle school is acceptable.

- Liv on May 26th, 2009

I didn’t start wearing makeup untill I was 12, in 6th grade. I wore eyeliner, foundation, and a little blush.

- morgan on May 26th, 2009

They should wait until they’re like 14 and even then, they really don’t need that much. Just a little lip gloss, nail polish, and glitter would be fine, and maybe some eye shadow for the older teens.

Otherwise, they start looking like Barbie dolls and it looks horrible. That is exactly why I hate kids’ beauty pageants.

I personally don’t like wearing makeup except clear lip gloss and a light foundation. I didn’t wear makeup when I was a kid either because my dad wouldn’t allow it.

My daughter is almost 2 and never wears it. I don’t even buy the kids’ makeup kits for her.

- Laney McDonald on May 26th, 2009

I also agree with the dress-up factor. I honestly think that some form of makeup is harmless (like lip gloss). I remember having colorless strawberry flavored lip gloss that I loved as a kid. I didn’t start wearing makeup until 7th grade when everyone else started wearing it. Then I just stopped until about college (I’d wear it for special occasions). So I think it really depends on the child. My mother was never a big makeup wearer.
I also bought a bunch of makeup for my niece. One time when I babysat her I happened to have some makeup in my purse that she was always fascinated with. So for her 5th birthday I bought her some. Just lip gloss and a very very light color eye shadow (all kiddy brand, no cover girl or anything like that).
I don’t have children yet but I really don’t know if I’m going to tell them when they can wear makeup.

- AJ on May 27th, 2009

when i have daughters they won’t wear makeup until high school

- jessie on May 27th, 2009

Interesting thread. I like reading the different takes on why people do or don’t let their kids wear make up. I have young boys so we don’t have this issue. I suppose we could some day but I don’t see boys around our area with make up on so who knows. I don’t wear much if any make up myself. I do remember fighting with my Mom in Middle School about make up and then by the end of High School I had stopped wearing it. I rarely worn any in college as I was to busy sleeping.

My personal opinion is that Kaia is to young to wear make up out and about. I would say Ava is to young to wear it on a regular basis but maybe for a special occasion as long as it is not to much.

- kris on May 27th, 2009

I told my daughter she could wear it out of the house when she’s in high school. Right now she can play with it at home. She’s 4. She can wear clear lip gloss though–she does have dry skin.

- Amy on May 27th, 2009

I have a picture of me at 4, wearing makeup. I guess my mom allowed it just for fun, but I didn’t start to wear make-up before my teenage years. Now, I wear none, I don’t think it really influes on girls. But of course, I wouldn’t allow it to my own daughter before high school either, except maybe a slight makeup on big days.

- Solène on May 27th, 2009

I think it depends on the parent. My mother never wore any makeup, so I grew up believing that I didn’t need to wear much. I was 13 when I started wearing eyeshadow and mascara regularly, and I was 12 when I started experimenting. I only wear eyeliner on my top lid and blush, and I completely believe it’s because of how my Mom brought me up.

- Julianna on May 27th, 2009

I understand the posters who say that this should be left to the parents to decide. As in most things, that is where the decision rightly lies, and caring parents try very hard to determine what is best for their kids. When mine were young, I’d sometimes say, “childhood is short; adulthood is long,” and not just when they wanted to have or do something that I was inclined to veto. I read a short but powerful book while I was pregnant with my first called “The Disappearance of Childhood” by a guy from NYU named Neil Postman, and I thank him for providing me with perspective, with a point of view that helped me see the bigger picture and not take each request and say, ‘oh, what could it hurt?’ The choices many parents are making today, taken together, are contributing to this shrinkage. What were once small pleasures–trying to keep a nice figure, occasional shopping for clothes, going to your hairdresser, painting your nails, splurging on a pair of shoes–have exploded exponentially into the culture’s obsession with appearance that we tend to just call the new normal, but it’s the underbelly of a culture that is really tellig us that our reflection in the mirror is more important than what is standing in front of it, and cultural messages are show-me-don’t-tell me pressures that we take in, like it or not. A healthy childhood will serve a girl well for the rest of her life, and more and more and more adult-like, appearance-oriented activities will rob her of that. If she’s visual, get her into an art class. If she is audial, she’ll love to learn to play the flute or the piano. Many girls who keep journals have more solid self-understanding at 10 than many women do at 30. Help her find who she is by helping her find something that’s HERS–a girl who has that will never really believe the lie about the mirror.

- Mary on May 27th, 2009

Oh, one other thing. I have bought more copies of one book and given them to my friends who have kids (boys or girls) than I can count, and many of those friends have bought it for their friends (it was a bestseller, so every library is sure to have it). It is by Mary Pipher and is called, “Reviving Ophelia: Saving the Selves of Adolescent Girls.” It is not tough reading at all, and I guarantee you’ll be glad you did.

- Mary on May 27th, 2009

I am in 8th grade, and have been wearing makeup for about a year and a half. Lots of the girls at my school wear it, and it’s fun changing it up every once in a while to experiment. As long as it’s not too heavy, my parents are fine with it.

- Lola on May 27th, 2009

Makeup on little girls is so unnecessary, in my opinion. I agree that it is okay for playing dress up but I would never let my child leave the house while wearing makeup.

I think lip gloss and blush is okay for tweens but I would save the full makeup for High School. I was about 17 before I wore makeup regularly. We all like to look pretty, but why make little girls more grown up than they need to be?

- HeatherR on May 28th, 2009

are you people insane. It is not OK for young kids to be wearing makeup way is society allowing this. Kids are becoming little hoochies at to young of an age. I never wear make as a kid and still don’t as an adult. I have two daughters and neither of them wear it. kids should be embracing their natural beauties not putting on mask.

- ceecee on May 28th, 2009

I think 11-12 is fine. but 3?? Come on!

- Sam and Em on May 29th, 2009

My parents never banned me to do make up. But I started to make up when i was about 16 years old.

- Nartaylakh on May 30th, 2009

I think that wearing it to school is fine, because all of the kids do and kids really just want to fit in. Before 12 or so lots of make up can look really trashy. It’s cute if it’s like a bit of glitter or what you will.

- amy on May 30th, 2009

I think its appropriate for girls to start wearing makeup at 11… i started wearing lipgloss and mascara at 11 and eye liner eyeshadow lipgloss mascara ect. at 12….

- Danielle on May 30th, 2009

My oldest daughter is ten and because she has some hair issues she has been shaving and plucking her eyebrows for a little over a year now. Not my choice, but kids were making fun of her at school and I would rather her shave than be picked on. Makeup is another story. She has clear mascara and lipgloss that she can wear and then makeup for her and her two little sisters to play with. Only clear makeup is worn outside of our house. This is a compromise between the solid NO and letting her wear it because she wants to.

I think all of these more grown-up activities should be based on the maturity of the child, not a set age. Our daughters have all been told that any deviation from the rules (the younger two will be ready for their clear makeup soon) will lead to a ban on makeup until age 14. So far our oldest has obeyed and is happy with the decision.

- Kari on May 31st, 2009

I think once they hit highschool its perfctly fine to wear make-up, just not at the extent of Kiss etc. Eveno once I went to highschool, coming from a more isolated primary school it was a while before I had the confidence for it anyway.

- Elle on June 1st, 2009

I went to parochial school, and we weren’t allowed to wear makeup to school until 8th grade. But, when I was 12, my mom took me to the Clinique counter at the mall and let me get some pressed powder, a light colored blush and a nude/peach lipstick. I could wear it to church – I felt so grown up!

My daughter is now 5 and is obsessed with lipgloss. She has lipgloss made for kids (American Girl) and sometimes puts it on before preschool. It is very pale and little sparkly – no big deal to me. Sometimes, I will paint her nails and toenails a pale pink. Again, not a big deal. It makes her feel special.

The biggest thing to me is clothes that some parents allow their young daughters to wear. My daughter cannot wear spaghetti strap tops, tube tops, short-shorts, or anything that is midriff-baring. To me, those types of clothes are not appropriate for a 5 year old.

- Allison on June 1st, 2009

I think 13 is an appopriate age. I know so many 11 year olds that wear more makeup then their teachers! I think 13 is a good age to wear makeup

- Crystal on June 1st, 2009

My parents only let me wear make-up for really special occasions like weddings and stuff. I wasn’t allowed to wear make-up daily until high school,and even then it was only eye make-up of “appropriate shades” (ex anything light,nothing dark,smokey eye def not) and coloured lip gloss.My mother never let me wear foundation or any of that stuff until I was like 18 years old. The only thing I was ever allowed to do was paint my nails.

There are many times that I wished I could be like other girls and wear whatever I wanted.As I began to get older,I began to appreciate what my mother had done for me and why she had done it.

Make-up at such a young age on such a regular basis ruins your skin. So many of those girls I went to school with have such bad skin now, and wrinkles and stuff. And now that they have gotten older, they put even more of that crap on their faces,that make the flaws look even more pronounced.

If I have a daughter,I will do what my mom did. Let her wear the Bonne Bell lipsmackers and instead of making her feel girly with make-up,have “spa days” on the weekend doing facials etc.

- Rach on June 2nd, 2009

When I was 9, my friend and I used to play makeups. Sure we both looked like relatives of Ronald McDonald. But neither of us used make up seriously til way into our teens.
I honestly don’t wear makeup at all these days. And my skin loves me for it.

- Mimmi on June 13th, 2009