Age for girls to start wearing makeup?

[X and G's mom]

What age do you think girls should start wearing makeup? I think I was in 8th grade (back in the 80's with bright blue eyeshadow ).
Yesterday my DD11 (she will be 12 in 3 weeks) came out ready for school with eyeshadow on. I told her to march right back in the bathroom and take it off. I had the stink eye for the rest of the morning.

She asked her friends at school yesterday and they thought 12 was the right age. I said that my rules over-ruled her friends and she can wait until she's 35 to wear makeup She then informed me that I have nothing to say about it once she turns 18. I said that is fine, 18 it is (I was just joking about that though)

So, what does everyone think?

 

[Glynis]

My parents let me start wearing makeup in 8th grade. My daughter is currently 12, but will be 13 in July. For her birthday, she will get a small makeup kit with foundation, blush, eye shadow, mascara, etc. I think it's kind of a "rite of passage" for teens.

 

[tink_lover]

I have a feeling that dd is going to want to wear it once middle school starts. You know, I wasn't allowed until 9th grade but I guess I'm a little more open to allowing her to use it earlier. I do think it is important to get light, easy-to-wear shades. There is so much make up out there right now that is "natural" looking, I think as long as she uses that and I show her how to put it on, it's not that big a deal to start around age 12.

 

[luvmy3]

Dd has some friends that are wearing it now, they are between 11 and 12. I think I'll let her after she turns 13, but probably closer to 14, and I get to pick out what she wears. She was in her school play last week and whoever did her make-up either went to clown school or trash academy (It was an 8th grader who cam in to help the girls get changed).

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Whenever....I have no "age rules" about hair and makeup other than you need to be clean and showered. In fact I really tried to get my oldest to wear some makeup in HS. Just a little, you know.

As a result both of my dd's hate makeup and refuse to wear it. They are 19 and 13.

I always wonder if I would have restricted it, would they want to wear it? I will never know.

 

[LaurenLC]

My parents let me wear makeup when I turned 13. My best advice is that you take your daughter to the Clinique counter and let someone advice her as to what products she should wear, and more importantly, how to take care of her skin. It may cost a little more in the beginning, but it’s a good investment in her skin.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

I told my daughter she could start wearing makeup as soon as she was out of elementary school and starts Jr High. She will be 12/almost 13 at the time. I also said she could start to dye her hair at the same time if she wanted; she just couldn't do unnatural shades such as pink or blue.

 

[KimR]

Whenever....I have no "age rules" about hair and makeup other than you need to be clean and showered. In fact I really tried to get my oldest to wear some makeup in HS. Just a little, you know.

As a result both of my dd's hate makeup and refuse to wear it. They are 19 and 13.

I always wonder if I would have restricted it, would they want to wear it? I will never know.

You sound just like me. My older 2 are 18 and 12 and while the 18-year-old just recently started wearing a little mascara occasionally, the 12-year-old claims she will never wear make-up. And I absolutely love make-up so I have no idea where they get that from. I guess it skips a generation because my Mother was very low-maintenance.

But to answer the OPs question, most of the girls around here start wearing it in middle school. Most of them favor a light, natural look - a little eyeliner, mascara and lipgloss.

 

[MarilIncredible]

I started with clear mascara and lip stick in middle school (grade 6, age 11/12). I think I used Bonnie Bell Lip Smacks in elementary school.

 

[cteddiesgirl]

I think I was about 12 or 13 when I was allowed to start wearing makeup.

I still remember sitting on the bus putting it on because I didn't have time before leaving for school.

 

[charming23]

I was 11 when my aunt gave me some lip glosses and a very pale blush to start wearing. It was not until I was 13 that I was allowed everything else. But the most important aspect of it all was I was taught how to apply it unlike some of the girls I went to school with.

 

[emer95]

My daughter will start Middle School in September, and if she asks I will probably let her wear some light eye makeup. She will be 12. Once or twice this winter I did put a little blush on her because we live in Buffalo and she looked scary white and pale, LOL! I offered it to her and she said, "Ok" without much enthusiasm. She hasn't asked to wear makeup at all yet, so who knows when she'll be interested.

Mystery Machine made me laugh. We should all use reverse psychology on our kids and tell them things like drinking and partying are SO cool and we really hope they do it.

 

[Ember]

I started wearing makeup after I got my period at age 12. I had called my mum at work when it happened and she came home that day with a supply of products and a makeup case with makeup. It was all quite "kid friendly" looking back and none of it would have applied heavily, but it made me feel so grown up!!

 

[Buckalew11]

I'm not someone who puts "ages" on things either, really.

At her age I would not be in favor of the eyeliner that is so popular with girls these days. If it was a natural looking eyeshadow, I'd probably give in. Blue, not so much.

My 16yo rarely ever wears it. She just isn't a fan of eyeshadow.

This was very fun for me and a b-day girl once. I think it was for her 13th b-day. I was selling Mary Kay at the time and this client's dd was wanting to wear makeup. The mom wasn't comfortable with all that so she asked me if I'd help her DD (I also cut the dd's hair). What we planned was a MK makeup party ofr the girl's 13th b-day.

We did the whole she-bang and I taught 6 little girls about wearing it naturally and REMOVING it at the end of the day and NEVER, EVER sleeping in makeup. then, after I finished, I let them "have at it" with samples and such. It was a blast and one of my favorite memories--esp. of selling MK, LOL.

I didn't sell the girls makeup, it was all in fun and then I gifted the b-day with a tan eyeshadow, lipgloss etc. and gave the girls each a little party favor.

The b-day girl wore the makeup for about 6 months or so and then was basically over the excitement of it all. She is about 26 now and rarely wears makeup to amount to anything.

 

[Jill in Chicago]

The Clinique counter is a great idea! I was just there when a mom and her teen daughter walked up for make up advice. I know Clinique is pricey, BUT you get to try everything out. Consider all the make-up you have pitched because it just isn't right, or it feels weird or you don't like the smell....

The make-up woman did a fantastic job, very light, but enough foundation to cover any blemishes, very pretty eyeshadow and the best shade of lip gloss.

Back to your real question I think 6th grade is when girls start to want to wear make-up. I would suggest starting with light foundation, mascara used with a lash curler (I've used a curler for over 30 years and I still have long, full lashes so it does not harm the lashes) a very soft blush and lip gloss. If she wants eye shadow have her pick one "fun" color, like blue, but learn to use it along with browns (brown eyes) or pinks (green and blue eyes). It will be a good compromise.

 

[Ember]

sorry, it double posted for some reason.

 

[MusiqChic99]

I started wearing make up when I was 11 but I was a cheerleader and would mainly wear it during the games or school functions. I never asked for wear make-up until then and I mom had no problem with it.

My mom NEVER wore make-up. She doesn't like the feel of it on her face. She never discouraged me not to wear it though. She did discourage heavy make-up. Being tasteful about it, is really what it's about.

 

[eliza61]

LOL, I went to Catholic school during the dark ages. No way where you coming to school in 8th grade with lipstick on! I can only imagine the Nuns having heart failure.

9th grade is the rule around here.

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

The Clinique counter is a great idea! I was just there when a mom and her teen daughter walked up for make up advice. I know Clinique is pricey, BUT you get to try everything out. Consider all the make-up you have pitched because it just isn't right, or it feels weird or you don't like the smell....

The make-up woman did a fantastic job, very light, but enough foundation to cover any blemishes, very pretty eyeshadow and the best shade of lip gloss.

See when I did the Clinique counter when I was a teenager the lady made me look like a French harlot. I had to run to the bathroom as soon as she was done and wash the crap off because there was no way I was walking around in public looking like that.

 

[minkydog]

I allowed DD17 to start wearing makeup at 12. Just some eyeliner. She has very dark eyes and it was quite attractive and discreet. No eyeshadow or lipstick. She still wears as little as possible, but she can't live without her eyeliner.

I didn't start wearing makeup until I was 16. My mother was very overprotective. she believed that if I wore makeup I would get pregnant--and she checked every month. I would never be so rude to my daughter. Makeup isn't the gateway to promiscuous behavior.