Is it okay for a Tween to use makeup?
My 12yrold daughter has been slowly experimenting with makeup, mainly hand me down blush and lip glosses that she's been using for 'dress-up' for a while.
She isn't brave enough to wear any to school... yet...
But lately I'm wondering when is the right age? Is mascara okay?
I happen to dislike black eyeliner so I don't want to her to use it anytime soon...
How do you help a young girl find the right way for her age to wear makeup?
--from a mom who barely wears makeup as it is!
1 Answers
-
This is an interesting question. I have an 18 year old daughter and two 11 year old girls. When my 18 year old was in middle school the girls in her group began wearing make-up around 12-13. Some of the girls looked pretty silly and I know some of the mothers were uncomfortable. But, the girls figured it out somewhere along the line and they are all beautiful 18 year olds, some wearing make-up, some not. I know this is trite, but my advice for everything related to middle school girls is "pick your battles". This can be such a fragile time for kids and I learned that something I thought was a "light weight" comment sounded to my daughter as harsh criticism. As a young adult, my daugther has chosen a no make-up path, and I'm glad that its a decision she reached without any input from me. :)
Thanks! That reminds me of a friend who had older boys, I asked her about their really long hair..
her reply: It's just hair! And it could be way worse, from tatoos, to earrings etc... She pointed out that they lived in an extremely white bread suburban world, and the boys had very little other way to 'express' themselves and find a way to be individuals...
I thought she made a great point, and like you said.. pick your battles...
I appreciate your experience!
- Carissa, Apr 27, 2010