How old should a girl be before she is allowed to wear make up?

Question

My granddaughter is 11 and in 6th grade and her Mom made a deal with her that if she was diligent about washing her face and brushing her teeth for two weeks that she could wear a tiny bit of eye shadow and mascara and clear lip gloss. I think it's too young even though she is an exceptionally good kid.

Answer 1

I think the mother is taking a very good approach. Girls her age are starting to get into that kind of stuff and a lot of mothers give totally in because they don't want the fights anymore. You say yourself that she is a very good kid. As long as putting makeup on doesn't change her attitude, I see no problem with it.

Answer 2

My daughter is 11 and in 6th grade also. I've just let her start wearing mascara and lip gloss, and she can use powder foundation with a brush...I won't let her use that cakey liquid make-up. At this age it's bad for their complexions and they rarely know how to use it without looking 'made-up'. (You know, they don't blend it well at the jaw line, it's the wrong color, etc.) I can remember my friend in junior high that would rush to the bathroom as soon as she got to school, put on tons of makeup, and then take it all off before going home because her mom wouldn't let her wear it...allowing a little bit keeps them from hiding it from parents.

Answer 3

My mom let me wear lipstick only at age 13. Now, that was 15 years ago, and I well remember that I was one of the last ones in my class to wear makeup. So I think 11 isn't so bad, really, as long as they keep it light. The problem is, the minute a girl gets to wear makeup at all, she tends to want to go Whore of Babylon heavy... in any case, makeup won't turn your granddaughter into a slut; if she's a good kid, she'll likely stay a good kid. And this way, she won't be borrowing her friends' makeup (which is yucky) -- she'll be using her own!

Answer 4

It may be a bit young but if the child is as you say an exceptionally good kid and she keeps her part of the bargin it is not exactly bad to let her now. I had 19 children 12 of them girls and they all had to wait until age 13 but all of their friends were wearing it around nine or ten.

Answer 5

This is what I've always thought was a great way to do things when it comes to this:

When she's 12 or 13, allow her to wear the foundation and powder. Basically anything natural because naturally girls want to cover up blemishes and things like that.


When they're 14 or 15, allow them to wear the other stuff like eyeshadow, mascara, ect.

Answer 6

Kids are growing up much faster than we did.
My daughter is 12 and has been wearing LIGHT make-up for about a year now. I allow her a touch of blush, pale pink eyeshadow and lip gloss. She doesn't need mascara because her lashes are naturally long and dark, and she isn't allowed to wear foundation yet.

Answer 7

My older sisters taught me how to put make-up on when I was around 11. My mother didn't mind because I was only using a little, and I was using it properly. I had friends who caked theirs on so much it looked like they worked for the circus. If your daughter teaches your granddaughter how to use it right, and what looks good for her age, I think she is ready. And your daughter does seem to have a good idea by making the deal with her.

Answer 8

It sounds like kid makeup - not like she's going to be tarted up and trolling the malls! Sounds like mom is going to be around or is this to school?

Really, it sounds okay. If you trust the kid - you think she's a good kid - it doesn't matter. If she was the kind who was going to get into trouble - she can find trouble without eyeliner.

Answer 9

I don't see anything wrong with just a little bit of make up at that age. Not to school, but around the house or at family get togethers.

Answer 10

As soon as her parents allow her to watch TV like American Idol that is really a form of advertisement for things like cosmetics