Children and makeup...

Dec 23, 2012

Kitty J.

So my friends have been telling me that children as young as first graders are wearing red lipstick and black smokey eye. At first I thought what I think most every normal person would, I just told them ugh, they're too young. But I thought about it, and I think it would be okay for them to wear stuff like that, as long as its neat and well done. No feathering or smudging, etc. But mainly only. And I mean ONLY if they know who they are. Most children do not, they don't even care. But if you were a five year old with a knack and love for expressing yourself with colors on your face, and you know how you want others to understand it, then why should people hold you back just because of your age? Please tell me your opinions❤

Dec 23, 2012

Kait L.

I agree with you, I just think you also have to consider the possibility that these young children may grow up feeling as if they need makeup to be beautiful. To feel beautiful. Which is a dangerous idea. When I was young, I was focused on recess and Webkinz, not my appearance, and I wish I could go back to those times. If kids this young are wearing makeup, I have to wonder what exactly is motivating them to do it.

Dec 23, 2012

Kitty J.

Thanks so much for the input :) you're right, children especially are so innocent, open, and mold able. And in this media beautiful world we live in, they might stop using makeup as an expression and more to look like what every one else calls true beauty. I think as long as their parents can guide them correctly, they can be true to themselves and keep showing the world who they truly are. I also think this should be said for all ages. Not the parent part, but keeping true to yourself and not just using makeup to make yourself feel pretty.

Dec 24, 2012

Alisa D.

What an excellent and thought provoking topic! I have three beautiful little girls, and I cannot wait until they are teens so we can really have fun with makeup because they are so pretty, that being said, imagining my soon to be five year old going to school or out in public with a Smokey eye and red lips .... no way. Now I'm not some ninny, I do many things from knitting to pole dancing (NOT the same as stripping!) and I share these things with my kids to see what sparks their interests to help them develop and learn what their interests are. Playing with makeup with me in the house or learning a Gemini on the pole is one thing, but these are adult activities carefully supervised. My girls are exposed to these things since there is nothing wrong with them, but they don't necessarily need to be participating in at the daily level or publicly, know what I mean? What another parent chooses is between them and theirs, but there is a staggering amount of social pressure these days and I could only imagine the public outrage if suddenly our tiny daughters are rocking eyeliner and leopard print pumps daily because they did such a good job putting it together themselves. Not to mention, makeup has a sexual element we cannot deny. I don't think I need to elaborate on that, you probably understand where that point is going , lol. Yes, makeup can be an art to some of us and children can be talented at it! Age should certainly not discredit talent. But for the majority of people, it's just a way to enhance favored features and detract from perceived flaws. I saw a thread earlier and a very young teen named off the list of her daily makeup for middle school and I was floored! I just have such a hard time wrapping my mind around young girls wearing full fledged full face makeup like that! I cringe at the thought of grown men leering at these innocent little girls presenting themselves like grown women. Plus, makeup is kinda one of those rights of passages, if we give them that to soon, what will we give them when that time comes so that they feel the normal transition from childhood to teen to adult? What marker can we make that says "Yes, we recognize together your coming of age, your ability to be responsible and use sound reasoning to make decisions" if we let them behave as adults from such a tender young age? Maybe because I have three little girls, I feel the need to protect that innocence, but I would like to think let's let out children be children, they will have plenty of time to be grown ups later. :)

Dec 24, 2012

Teresa H.

Really great topic and well thought out answers! I think clothes available in the girls' sections are too mature. We need to help keep them young! My youngest is a girl, 13y.o. Luckily, she is very modest and petite and we sometimes have trouble finding her clothes that are age appropriate. I bought her a ELF palette and their set of studio brushes that she will get for Christmas. I think this is a nice time to start makeup. 7th grade. I think lip balm to maybe gloss for special occasions should be it until 10yo or so, of course except for dance or cheer makeup. Then adding some shadow and mascara until about 12 or 13. But everyone is different. I just don't think we can deny that sickos will notice made up children!

Jul 19, 2015

ميس ا.

l like this