At What Age
To Start Wearing Makeup?
At what age will it happen?.... What will you say when your redhead daughter asks:
'Mom can I wear makeup?' Say 'NO' and you’ll likely hear: "But my friends do" or "I’m not a baby anymore" or "It’s not fair; the other girls are wearing it" or "You're old-fashioned". And yes, things have changed ALOT over the years!  Heck, my older sisters were teens in the 1950s and weren’t allowed to wear any makeup at all until they were 16, and then just a little lipstick and mascara if they were lucky. Same for me 10 years later, as our mom was pretty strict. I relaxed a bit with my redhead girls but the pressure’s there to start sooner.
THEY WANT TO GROW UP!
It’s a struggle because kids want to grow up fast and start makeup at an earlier and earlier age. Media influence is huge with stuff like 'Hannah Montana' and 'High School Musical' as well as all the TV, films, Internet, etc. Plus, physically they are maturing earlier, which doesn't help. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics girls are now starting puberty as young as 7 or 8 years of age, compared to age 11-12 years or older some years ago. They are struggling with self-esteem and body image.(See me page on self-esteem.  KIDS ARE ALL DIFFERENT TOO.
Some girls are really interested and other girls are not. Some gals get started early due to dance or gymnastic competitions, theater, pageants, and other performance arts while others concentrate more on sports or activities/groups that don’t even involve makeup or may shun it.
WHAT ARE YOUR VALUES AND RULES?
A lot depends on your beliefs and family values. It helps to talk it over with the kids and as a family before they get to tweens age and explain why you made your decision.
- At what age is this step best for your child?
- Talk about IF and WHEN they wear it, how will they be viewed by kids at school or be associated with which ‘crowd’ or clique?
- Why do they want to wear it now?
- Does it send the wrong signal as though ready to date or too mature?
SOME IDEAS:
Stress how important skin care is. Stress learning the correct way to apply makeup so isn't too heavy, clownish, or send the wrong message.Start out with just very light eyeshadow, a bit of mascara, some fun lip gloss and even some nail polish, if that much. Have fun 'girl day' of sharing makeup tips with family members like sisters, aunts, grandparents, or girlfriends and make a day of it. Shop for makeup that's appropriate for their age. (Check out Sephora.com on my "Gift Ideas" shopping mall page)Have a makeup party or overnight sleepover. Have a mom/daughter or sister/sister day out to cosmetic stores to get makeovers.
SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU..... As a redhead yourself, at what age did you start wearing makeup?
Do you agree with that age?If you're a parent or adult raising redheads, what age do you think is appropriate?Have any tips to help young girls get started and learn to apply makeup correctly?
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