What age should girls wear make-up?
March 8th, 2008 / 54 Comments
I was at the high school today teaching a freshmen class. The girls in the class are about 15 years old. But I swear, some of them look like they can be 25! The amount of makeup they wear is why cosmetics is a billion dollar industry.
I suppose we have the Paris Hiltons and the Brittany Spears to blame for girls’ precocious behavior today.
What can we do about it? Do we just say “girls will be girls”?
Here is what I’ve done in guiding my daughter about make-up:
1. I try to keep my children’s innocence as long as possible by not exposing them to the media that shows young girls dressing and acting like adults. They don’t need magazines and TV shows telling them to be adults before their time. They only have at most 18 years to be young, but they will have 50+ years to be adults! Why let them rush into acting, dressing and looking like adults? We don’t buy or subscribe to teen magazines or celebrity magazines like People. We use the TV for educational shows only (Jeopardy is my personal favorite!).
2. Have an outsider talk to your daughter. My friend is a Jafra consultant. I asked her to do a Jafra party with my daughter and her friends on skin care and makeup. She showed them how to put light make-up on for every day, and a little more for special occasions. None of that thick heavy make-up please! The party was fun, informative, and much better coming from someone else other than the mom.
3. We bring into our conversation positive female role models in the news instead of talking about crazy celebrity gossips that inundates the news. For a school project to write a biography, my daughter did a report on Condoleezza Rice. Oprah Winfrey has used her celebrity to be a generous philanthropist and a crusader for human rights. Sports figures like Dorothy Hamill and Jackie Joyner-Kersee are much better role models than the ones we see on the news.
When my daughter was in the 8th grade, she asked me about wearing make-up. On a special occasion she wore lipstick, a little mascara and eye shadow. That sticky feel of make-up does take getting used to. She didn’t want to bother with it after that.
My main emphasis with my daughter was skin care. She learned to take care of her face with a good cleansing and moisturizer. She liked the feeling of that better than make-up.
I know that even though you may discourage make-up at home, girls will find ways to put it on at school. I’ve seen them borrow their friend’s make-up. If your daughter wants to wear make-up so badly, I don’t think it is a hill worth dying on. Instead of fighting them, join them and show them the correct ways to apply make-up. I highly recommend asking a Jafra consultant to help them do it right using quality products that will not ruin their skin.
Photo by annia316
Comments
I see girls all the time in middle school with loads of make-up on. I am not sure their parents understand the consequences that it may cause. Not to mention skin aging way to young, but the age it makes girl looks.
It’s these little things that causes bigger consequences later. You’re right, Tara.
I don’t think I would allow for a daughter of mine to wear make-up until they were in high school…and then it would have to be put on lightly. I just don’t understand the girls today with their make-up, short skirts, low neck shirts, etc…but that is for another of your posts. 😀
I heard someone say that their daughter does not go out of the house until the dad approves of what she’s wearing. He tells the daughter what guys are thinking when she puts on THOSE kinds of clothes. Comes off better from dads than moms.
I think High School is probably ok, maybe college…I have three girls so I don’t want them taking themselves that seriously ever, but I suppose its inevitable.
I have encouraged my youngest, who is now a young teen, to take care of her skin. We have discussed how beautiful her face is without the need of makeup. So far, she’s not been interested in it, even though I have offered her some lipstick wear for dances and such. Thank goodness !!!
Young girls don’t realize how naturally beautiful they are. Don’t we wish we had their skin! Debbie, I am glad you affirm your daughter.
Im in middle school and i wear make up, but i try not to look older, i like to look like candy or a doll! But i dont wear loads of make-up. Only, maybe, eye shadow, eyeliner, mascara and maybe some chapstick.
Hi Isabella: Thanks for sharing. Make-up can be fun to wear. Make sure what you look like on the outside is giving people the kind of impression that you want them to have of you.
I’m 13 and i’ve started wearing mascara and eyeliner..the main reason is because i want to enhance my eyes (i have the small asian eyes). I want them to look bigger and prettier but i only recently found out that eyeliner may be really bad for your skin. I dont talk about this much with my mum so i sort of need some adult advice from other people on the site. I really dont want anything bad to happen to my skin (i love my skin) so i need to know if it eyeliner and mascara REALLY IS bad for you and if so, how can i minimise the effects? By the way, i always wash it off with water..should i use something else??
Rebecca, the tissues around our eyes are very delicate. If you feel around your eyes, you notice there are no muscles and very smooth. The problem I see with eye makeup is that when you take it off, you have to rub the skin around the eyes, thus causing more “wear and tear” making you prone to wrinkles at a young age. No matter how gentle you dab, you can’t help but pull on your skin.
I’ve been told that Shiseido is good quality makeup for Asians. Go to a cosmetic counter and ask them for a good eye makeup remover that is gentle.
I also suggest that you use make up on special occasions only. You are still young, and using it everyday loses it’s effects after awhile.
I am in your league in terms of having small Asian eyes. I wear eye liner when I go out, but try not to put too much on. I’ve gotten over trying to fit in to the “white” standard of beauty. Don’t let the media make us feel self-conscious. Let your natural beauty shine through by taking care of your skin, maybe use a little gloss for your lips, and having an attitude of confidence and joy that will bring brightness to your overall persona.
im 12 years old, and its my first year of middle school. all the girls in my grade are wearing tons of makeup and they look gorgeous. is it to early for me to start wearing lip gloss and mascara 2 or 3 times a week?
is it 2 early to wear lip gloss and mascara at age 12?
I think when girls wear lots of make up it makes them look horrible. I can understand when you wear it for a concert on stage with a lot of lights because that’s when I wear my make up. I think until you are 20 you shouldn’t wear make up except for special occasions or when you have to. I am 12 and only wear lip gloss. My BFFL is 13 and only wears lip gloss and we both have a case of acne. 🙂
Well said. Thank you Polly.
Well..iam 15 yrs old nd I think makeup can damage your skin badly.I never have worn makeup.but lots of my friends have since we were in middle skool nd dey look way plder than ido.some of them look like their 25.wen they are wearing makeup and when they’re not they look like their face is all tired looking.so I’m probably not gona wear makeup till iam an adult.=)
Glad to know there are mature and sensible girls like you, Jennifer!
I think that girls could start wearing makeup at around 11 or 12 as long as their mother supervises them and makes sure that they don’t cake it on.
I turned 13 a few days ago, and I wear alot of makeup, but you an see it. It only makes my skin look a little better. And what I mean by “I wear alot of makeup”, is that i wear alot of different kinds of makeup. I use EXTREMELY light application. Im not stupid, and know i am georgeous without it, but it enhances my skin with a natural glowing kind of look. I use pressed powder on my neck and face, blush on cheeks and lips, concealer for blemishes and my extemely dark under-eye circles, a matte eyeshadow that is one shade lighter than my skintone and dust that around my eyes to brighten them up a bit, clear mascara for eyelash definishion and enhancement, a lip conditioner, and a facial moisturizer. I also cleanse and moisturize my face every night and morning. My mom is a dermatologist and knows better that all of you guys so 12 or 13 is when you can wear makeup.
Look….im only 11 i only wear chapstick to school if needed my mom tries to avoid the fact that i wanna wear eye shadow and eye liner but….i think i look cute with it on!! im not using make up attract boys!! NEVER!!! my mom wont understand that
Hey I’m 12 years old and my mom alows me 2 wear lip gloss.
my mom only let me wear mascara, lip gloss, and blush. I want to wear eyeliner but by mom says i am too young. Im 12 years old.
I am going into the 6th grade and I want to start wearing makeup but I don’t know how to ask my mom because my 8th grade sister doesn’t wear makup and neither go my friends so I don’t know if I should or no, maybe I’ll just wear like clear mascara and maybe a little bit of eyeshadow because I don’t want to like act older then I really am. I’m 11….do you think its to early to start wearing makup?
I just turned 12, but people mistake me for much older because I am extremly mature, have a large chest, and tall (5’7). But, that has it’s downfalls, as instead of looking like a fresh, normal 12 year old, I look like a babyish 16 year old who doesn’t wear makeup. All my friends wear light makeup consisting of mascara and heavy eyeliner, and my mom won’t let me wear ANY kind of makeup besides lip gloss. I have very shiny skin and a bit of acne because I reached puberty last year, and I can’t let my ‘natural beauty’ shine through when I can’t inhance it by empisizing my eyes with a bit of mascara and some coverup for my blemishes! How can I explain to my mother that I’m not trying to look older, I’m trying to look fresher and cleaner than my usual oily, ‘pimply’ self?! Please respond, thank you for reading.
Riley, If I was your mom, my concern is, if you wear make up, you’ll look more like 18 and too beautiful, attracting the attention older boys (who are actually men), much older than you. The leers you get will be very creepy. Believe me, you don’t want that kind of attention.
Most young girls do not realize how much natural beauty you have. Make up is for older people like me trying to look young again. I suggest you do proper cleansing and light cover up only.
I’m 16 I started wearing lip gloss when I was 12 and my mom let me experiment with make-up when I was 13 j really didn’t like it at all kind of thought it was to much work. I just recently started to wear eye shadows blushes eyeliner and mascara but I kind of want to start using concealer and bronzer but I don’t know if it would be appropriate can you answer me back and tell me tour opinion ?
I suggest the less the better because at 16, you have natural beauty, a glow of excitement for life and innocence. I know that sounds cliche; you think you need make-up to look better. Actually, that’s just buying into the marketing lies of the make up industry.
Think about women in your life that you think are beautiful, real women, not the ones in magazines. Is it make-up that made them beautiful or is it their heart and personality that made them beautiful to you? The inside of you matters most.
I suggest this rule of thumb is, if you feel embarrassed for people to see you without make-up, or if people don’t recognize you without make-up, then it’s too much.
I’m 17 and I’ve only recently started wearing make-up, foundation and a little mascara, but only ever to work, I work behind the counter in a fast-food restaurant. Most of my classmates are nearly orange coming to school in the mornings and could spend 100’s of euros a year on said make-up, I think Mac is the current favourite. I see no point to make-up at all and the only reason I wear it is to take some of the shine out of my skin when working under the fluoresent lights.
I am 12, in 7th grade. My mum doesn’t allow me to wear make up to school, but I have lots at home to play around with. I know I am already pretty, but I would like to wear a little bit of make up to school, at most eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss (though I don’t bother with lip gloss, as it needs re-applying every hour!). There is one girl at my school who wears thick, navy blue raccoon eyes to school and it is really unneeded.
It’s a bit frightening that some girls are wearing makeup masks. I’m in the 7th grade and my mom doesn’t wear makeup and never has, so I guess I’m just not into it because my role model wasn’t. The only time I’ve worn heavy makeup is for plays where it’s required. Sometimes, for dances or parties or something, I’ll wear a little bit of mascara and maybe some plum chapstick/lip gloss, but that’s it. I hate seeing girls that hide behind pounds of orange foundation and red lipstick.
Ok. So I’m a 12 year old 7th grader and I wear mascara and chapstick (everybody NEEDS chapstick on the winter so it doesn’t really count as a make-up) Anyway my mom allows it and I wear it 2-5 times a week. ( it depends if I get up early enough) but I go to Chicago every weekend and I haven’t told him that I wear it. I’m to embossed to talk to him…I get emabarred about alot of things including the fact I need to wear deodorant idk why. So wha do I do? I have really short lashes so I feel like a 5 year old all weekend.( partly cause he treats me like a 5year old…I’m not kidding he makes me go to bed at 9 AN IT’S THE WEEKEND!!! Etc.) so what do I do???
Mayalani, I assume “him” is your father? If so, perhaps this is a good opportunity to have a heart to heart talk with him. The key is, don’t get emotional where it gets into an argument. I suggest you write down on paper what you want your father to know. Take a few days to do it, revise it until it’s clear and it’s exactly what you want him to know. Here are suggested topics for each paragraph: 1) What you appreciate about him, things he does that you like, 2) What he does that makes you feel like a 5 year old, be specific, 3) What he can do to help you grow up to be a responsible mature young lady, be specific.
Don’t send the letter. Tell him you want to talk to him about something important, and the 2 of you can go out for dinner or a snack. Then read the letter to him, word for word. Then stop and listen to what he has to say.
Remember, do not get into an argument or throw a tantrum. It will not help you. Just listen. Then take time to write another if needed, and do it again. This shows your father you are grown up, mature, and sensible. Let me know how it goes.
I am 14. About 90% of the girls my age wear some form of makeup. Some have been wearing it heavy since the 6th grade. I don’t agree with that because I don’t think 11& 12 year olds need to look like that. When you look back on your childhood pics when you’re older, do you want to look like a 17 year old or so you want to look the age you actually are when you’re 11?! I know I’d want me to look my age. This year I’ve only worn a little mascara & foundation to dances, football games, etc but never eyeliner. Some girls load it up and it looks horrible, I have nice skin & don’t wanna ruin it so I take care of my face. I rarely use lipgloss because I think it makes my smile weird with braces. I don’t wear makeup to school but I’ll start in high school. To all you girls younger than me who are wanting to wear make up, take my advice & wait. Youll thank yourself later on & believe me a ton of people think younger girls wearing makeup doesn’t look to classy. Especially wearing dramatic colors. Try & keep it natural as much as you can! Thanks for reading my opinion.
wow im thirteen and wear makeup eye shadow,eye liner,lip glass,fondation,blush,mascra nothing wrong about it as long you know your mature enofe to wear it. i do the natral look so it dosent look like im wearing lots of makeup
I’m 16 & I’ve been wearing a full face of makeup since I was 12. I don’t ever look fake or promiscuous. If I ever have a daughter, I will let her wear makeup when she wants to. It’s fun! I can remember me and my mom sitting in the living room floor putting makeup on each other when I was little. It’s just part of being a girl. As long as they aren’t going crazy, pre-teens should be able to express their blossiming femininity! 🙂
Im 12 years old and I want to wear makeup. I don’t want to wear a load of it all caked on my face just a natural look. I really just want it to hide my really red face and spots and blackheads. Like maybe som foundation, brown eyeliner and mascara and lip gloss. My Mom doesn’t wear to much makeup only going out and to work, my sister wears makeup she started when she was 13 years old. She wears concealer, foundation, lipstick, lipgloss, black eyeliner and black mascara. Lots of my friends wear makeup but not a lot only a natural look. How can I ask my Mom if I can wear natural looking makeup?
I am 12, going in to 7th grade. I wear primer, foundation, concealer, powder, eyeshadow, eyeliner, mascara, and lip balm. I see no problem with looking pretty in 7th grade. My friends wore it in 6th grade, but I thought that was crazy!
I am not sure if I should wear makeup… I heard about how it ages your skin and how its bad for you to wear at a young age but I have small asian eyes that have really short eyelashes which to me makes my face look more big. I feel unconfident about myself and thats part of the reason why I dont talk very much like everyone says about me. I am a 13 year old girl going in to 8th grade. I dont really want to wear makeup but I feel that it would boost up my self confidence. I would like some parent advice please.
Im going into 8th grade do you think its ok to JUST wear eyeliner <3, mascara (maybe), and foundation because i have dark eye circles because of my family. Please answer?! 🙂
8th grade?She is a teenager,it is normal for her to wear makeup.I know you don’t want to damage her skin,but:
EVERYDAY-SCHOOL:Some concealer and a tinted moisturizer instead of foundation.For the eyes,some eyeshadow BASE to brighten her eyes up and some mascara.It is not nessecary to use a lipstick or a blush for school,some tinted lip balm though is natural and moisturizing.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS:Again,concealer & tinted moisturizer instead of foundation.Some eyeshadow, 2 or 3 layers of mascara,a little blush and/or a lipstick/lipgloss.
11
I am 13 and I want to wear make up. I go to a very small school and 3 of my class Mayes wear moderate make up (no raccoon eyes) and 3 don’t. Currently I wear a chapsticky clear lip gloss mainly because I like the flavor. Any advice?
Hey I’m 13 years old and inserted wearing makeup when I was 11 but I made a stupid decision for wearing makeup the reason I was wearing makeup cause I was ugly associated luck and all my friends were looking pretty with makeup but guess What I have fukin eye wrinkles cause I wear eye liner mascara and freaking lip gloss and have mocha fukin wrinkles so if those people want to wear makeup at 11 pshhh ur gonna end up like me doode just saying
My mom lets me wear makeup every day to school. I’m in sixth grade. I wear:
Blush
Chap Stick
Concealer (ONLY IF NEEDED!)
Masara
Is that too much for my age?!
what is this????????????? i mean seriously, i am 14 and wear foundation, eyeliner, lip gloss, mascara e.c.t and its normal for my age GET WITH THE TIMES! hardly anyone doesn’t wear make up. and what are you supposed to do when you have a spot?
And at school…none of the teachers care.
i don’t see what all the fuss is about
I think it’s crazy how fast ten year olds can be like a teen. Makeup, AND DATING! Seriously! I think you should wear makeup at 13 or 14. And I am NOT talking concealer or foundation or dark lip stick. I’m talking mascara, blush if needed, light lip gloss, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and a tiny bit of powder.
I’m 18 and my mom doesn’t allow me to wear anything. Lip gloss (even Lip Smackers or even chapstick), nailpolish, or even concealer for acne (I have tons of bad acne). Whenever I ask for even lip gloss she yells at me and tells me that I can wear it the day I’m twenty-five years old. Help
I am 12 years old and in the 7th grade. I don’t usually wear a lot of makeup, onnly chapstick and some concealer if i have a breakout. I don’t think people under the age of 15 should cake it on like a hooker like many do. It makes them look small and immature when the amount of makeup they use is disproportional to their body size. I would like to wear concealer/foundation and mascara to school, and i will bring it up to my mother very soon, but if you are under the age of 15 and want to wear eyeliner and eyeshadow and deep red lipstick+lipliner everytime you go to school, you will be sending the wrong image to both boys and girls, as you make yourself look completely fake and orange. if you want to wear makeup to enhance your features and make you feel comfortable with your look, go for it; if you are doing it to impress people, look more mature, or because you want guys to see you as more attractive, you should probably wait until a better time.
im 13 years old and 6 feet tall. im told (by adults only never by anyone my age) that im beatiful and have beatiful skin . i wear eye liner (some times) mascara , concealer ,eye shadow , powder ,lipgloss ,is this to much?
I wish I had just a couple of inches of your height!
At 13, I think that’s a bit much on the make-up. With your height, people may mistaken you for older, and it’s really creepy when older guys give you attention. It’s not flattering, it’s scary!
Get involved in sports and other activities and have fun as a young girl, that will help you grow in confidence to be who you are. No need for all that make-up to try to make yourself look different. You are uniquely beautiful!
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