When is it ok for a 12 year-old daughter to wear MAKE-UP?

Question

My daughter is asking to wear light make-up and fake nails. My wife says its alright, but I, Dad, feel its too soon.

Asking for mom and dad opinions.

Answer 1

fake nails is way too soon.
The ONLY thing that may be appropriate at that age is a little lip gloss. And when I say little I mean a little. I have seen young girls that looked as though they were drinking Wesson oil.

Answer 2

How about a family compromise?

YOU take your daughter to the mall, to a big makeup store like Sephora or to an anchor department store where there are tons of make up counters.

Beforehand you and your daughter go thru teen magazines to pick out looks she likes. Rip out the pictures and only take the ones you both agree on.

No heavy eyeliner, no dramatic painted on looks, etc.

Then find the nicest looking makeup counter rep. who has nice, light makeup on her own face (and who is young so your daughter feels she's "cool") and show her the pictures.

Let her give your daughter a gentle makeover with light shades and colors.

As for fake nails, they are expensive, they create fungus underneath, they need constant care, they are not for children. If you GIVE your daughter fake nails, you will be expected to pay for them every two weeks when she gets them filled. $20-$50 every two weeks is a lot for a 12 year old girl.

My daughter got nails when she could afford to pay the upkeep and after a few months she soon tired of shelling out the hard earned money to pay for her fingers! Good lesson learned.

I say don't allow the nails and do what I suggest above for the makeup.

To make it more fun you could get the dad of her best friend to go with you to the mall! Take the girls to lunch too, maybe to a movie or buy them cool new T's or something small to celebrate the day.

She's not gonna stay a little girl for long but with your input she will grow more slowly and with helpful limits.

Answer 3

I think makeup that makes her feel good - I light lip gloss, a blush shade of eye shadow and a little light mascara is OK for a 12 year old. Just something light so it makes her feel she is wearing something, but where you would have to look and do a double take to wonder if she was wearing make up or not.

Fake nails seems like a little much for a twelve year old. In fact I would not let my daughter wear them unless she had a job to support the nails. That can get very expensive! They can also get in the way of an active girl. However, she could go for an occasional manicure that might make her feel more grown up.

It's hard to see your little girl grow up, isn't it? You sound like a caring dad. Good luck to you and your family.

Answer 4

im 12 and it seems like no one remembers what it was like when they were 12. were not some immature little kids. were almost teenagers. I wear eyeliner and mascara sometimes... always lip gloss or chapstick. I dont like fake nail nor am i aloud to have them bcaz they can affect your nail. nail polish is just finee though.. i wore it when i was 5! If your really worried about her go shopping with her and but her a tan/nude eyeshadow. Maybe a brownish mascare and eyeliner (browns look more natural) and maybe a tinted lipglosss. If she wants some blush a light pink would do just fine. Just make sure she understands she has to wash it off. Get her some eyemakeup remover while your at the store too. good luck

Answer 5

There comes a time when a girl wants to wear make-up to look all pretty and so on. But for a twelve year old she can wear fake nails and light make-up shes almost a teenager. But when i was her age i didnt need makeup at all, I like my face and i dont need anything to cover it wth something else. Dont worry make sure her light make up is not noticable because she can be caught in school wearing it same with fake nails. It is OK but ,aybe a little older because shes still young.

Answer 6

I would say clear or light lip gloss and maybe the clear mascara, but not the other stuff and especially not fake nails. I think she is too young for that, and fake nails actually ruin natural nails, she needs time to grow before doing all these grown-up things that we women do. There are cool kits that you can get that you can paint on nails for the french manicure look that young girls like.....

Answer 7

Sorry, I am not a mom. But, I am an aunt, and I think 12 is too young to wear make-up. Playing with her girlfriends around the house is okay. But, going to school and other public places is too much. Make up makes young girls look older and more mature. A 12 year old doesn't need to look older..especially in these times. At 12, fake nails would be okay, but anything else is too much.

Answer 8

I too have a little girl. She is just 6yrs old now, but for pictures and sometimes on Sunday I let her wear powder and lipgloss. At 12 years old, I would probably let her wear powder and lipgloss, my girlfriend lets her daughter wear lite blue eyeshadow too. BUT... once she let mallory wear a little make up, now she doesn't want to. You might turn out this lucky too! For sure I would let her have a Mary Kay facial, or a Clinique facial, because she needs to learn how to cleanse her face first and formost. Even though she is 12, this is the only skin she gets, wrinkles start now. At 31 I'm doing okay, but I had good women in my family to teach me. Dad, it's up to you! Good luck.

Answer 9

Light makeup only, slight powder and lip gloss.
The nails.....are you talking about acrylic or press on nails? She is too young for acrylic unless it is for a one time event, acrylics are too harsh for young nails. The press on kind would be better for her age. If she really likes longer nails let me suggest buying her some Sally Hansen's hard as nails, nail polish, this stuff really works to strengthen your nails and she can grow her own. This polish comes in clear with a slightly pink tint and bright colors also, her age I wouldn't use anything dark or bright.
Fake nails if wore over a long period will smother the real nail and if not properly taken care of can cause fungus and other problems. If she wants to try them just be sure to monitor the length of time left on, if wore for a week then remove for a week and teach how to properly manicure her nails.
At her age a lot of times they just want to try it, usually because a friend is.
Good Luck

Answer 10

Dad its alright your baby is growing up....Things are going to start changing and before you know it she will be 18! But as for a 12 year old light make up and nails (as long as they arent to long) are okay. Not that she needs to run with the crowd and keep up with the jones but she is probably under a lot of pressure to start wearing make up, shaving legs, doing hair and everything...Dont worry she will be fine. Keep it tasteful! And dad relax she is just growing up. Im sure if it where up to you she would'nt wear make up until she was at leaast 30 haha