Parents of tweens/teens

[pixiewings71]

When did you start letting your tween/teen wear makeup? I have a DD13 and she wants to wear makeup. I've got no problems with hair streaks (my DD13 has candy apple red that we need to redo this weekend and my DD9 has blue that is fading out pretty fast), with having the ears pierced once but I'm hesitant about makeup. I have a DD21, I didn't let her wear makeup until she was at least 14 maybe 15 and then it was neutral tones only, nothing flashy was allowed at that age but I recently found out she would sneak it, she'd put it on on the bus on the way to school (her friends were allowed to wear it and she used theirs) and wash it off before I got home from work. I don't want DD13 sneaking around like that so I'm hoping for some help. DBF and I agree that 13 is too young, he says she can't wear it until she's 16, I think 15 is OK as long as she wears it discreetly.....what are your thoughts on this? Right now she wants to wear mascara, eye shadow, blush and lip gloss.

 

[wdwmom0f3]

My DD is 11 and she is wearing mascara and very, very little of anything else. I have no problem with it. Even my oldest DD wears very little makeup. As long as they don't look slutty, it should be fine.

 

[pixiepower1971]

My 13 year year old is allowed to wear makeup. Nothing over the top but whatever is appropriate for the situation. Natural looking for day, a little more eye makeup at night for dances, going out with friends, etc.

My 11 year old is allowed as well. Natural looking, nothing excessive.

Not really a big deal in my house

 

[Sgt Mickey]

My daughter is 10 I told her about 13 would be a good age. Just as long as lik eyou said neuatral colors nothing to flashy. I would rather see her wear it then sneak it but then again make up isn't a big deal to me. I do let her wear it occasionaly now for dance recitals and such.

 

[sk!mom]

My DD13 started wearing makeup when she started Middle School- age 11. That first year she would wear it occasionally and lightly. By last year 7th grade (age 12) she was wearing it daily.

For me this is kind of like when to allow leg shaving...When my DD reached a point that she was going to feel self-conscience to not wear make up- I let her.

I don't know a another 13 year old that doesn't wear it and my DD has large and varied circles of friends (school friends, ballet friends, theater friends, church friends).

 

[powellrj]

My DD started when she started middle school. She wears bare essential and mascara. She does wear liner for performances, but not for everyday.

I do know all of her friends wear light make-up to school everyday.

 

[princessmom29]

I think 13 is fine for neutral, light makeup. I wore a powder foundation, a light blush , brown mascara(looks lots softer) and lip gloss at that age. NO black mascara/liner or heavy colors until high school

 

[NHdisneylover]

Last summer (when DD was 11) we were stuck killing time in the mall waiting on our tires to be rotated at Sears. Knowing most of her middle school friends were starting to wear make up I decide to head this one off at the pass and suggested we go to a department store and ask them to give her a make over (she had never asked about make up previously and only worn it on stage). They did a nice job with her and emphasized natural colors. WWe left with a mascara and lip gloss. For about three weeks she was very excited and wore both every day. Then the novelty wore off. SHe tens to waer the lip gloss a few times a week and only bothers with mascara for special occasions (her lashes are HUGE so she really doesn't need it at all). Once in a great while (formal night on the cruise, New Years Eve) I suggest she wear some of my blush, or eye shadow if she wants. My thought is if it nota forbidden fruit she will be less interested (though if she wanted to wear it all the time it would be okay with me). So far she is not interested in much--then again I don't wear make up every day either.

Ironically, because he does lots of stage acting and dancing on stage DS10 owns more make up than his big sister Totally different thing though

 

[StephMK]

DD started wearing it in 7th - light mascara & eye shadow. By 8th grade, it was more mascara, eye shadow, liner & maybe gloss. Tasteful though, not really heavy. Now she's entering 10th and mainly does her eyes with a touch of blush & clear gloss. Lots of eye shadow & mascara but browns/golds that play up her blue eyes. She wears about the same as her friends.

 

[Hannathy]

What she wants to wear IMO is fine. My DD would wear that in 7/8th grade if she wanted, however at that age she didn't really wear the eye stuff everyday but would if she was going anywhere. Beginning in 9th grade is when she really started wearing the eye stuff everyday. As a senior she still mostly concentrates on the eyes and lips. I think at 13 she is old enough to wear eye and lip stuff but please not the heavy eyeliner I see on some young girls, that to me is what makes them look cheap/trashy.

If she waited to 16 she would be a junior in high school and really be the odd girl to the other kids if she didn't wear any make-up.

 

[PaulaSue]

Wow, so much to think about. My oldest is almost 11, going into 5th I guess I will let my girls when they ask. I already help her and my 8 year old with very dark hair, shave her legs even though she is blond, but the poor things are very hairy. (dad's trait).

 

[mrsbornkuntry]

My DD is 13 and has shown no interest in make-up at all . She has mentioned that some of her friends wear it and if she wanted to I would let her, but I think she doesn't want anything else to do in the morning. She isn't very self conscious about her appearance, some days I'm lucky if she brushes her hair before she runs out the door.

 

[Eeyoreloverforever]

I have told het that when she is responsible enough to take care of her skin properly she can wear make up, until then no.

I do let her wear neutral colors and sparkle for dances, etc.

Lip gloss is allowed anytime.

I have talked to her about the fact that if you rush into these things then there is nothing to look forward to later on down the road. Stay young as long as you can.

She has a friend who wears foundation and has commented that you can't tell so what is the big deal and when she sweats it runs down her face and looks gross.

So far we are doing okay. I just talk to her when these things come up, get her point of view. Think about it and get back to her. I don't want her sneaking. I want a good relationship with her.

 

[frtchr]

My mom let me start wearing it in middle school. She taught me how to use it correctly, though. Nothing heavy, nothing obvious, nothing trashy. I don't think 13 is too young at all (I was 13 and in high school!) as long as she knows how to properly apply makeup. I know that some salons in our area do a "teen's first facial and makeup application" kind of thing. Could you call around and see if anyplace will show her how to do a LIGHT and APPROPRIATE makeup?

 

[rt2dz]

I have all boys, so take my opinion for what it's worth. But I feel it isn't about age as it is about appropriateness. It's more important where they are wearing make-up (maybe weekends only to begin?) and how they apply it. If a girl/woman has no clue how to put make-up on, it looks worse on them (even at age 16, 18, 21+) than younger girls (11, 12, 13) who do apply the right amount correctly.

 

[mjkacmom]

My dd13 started in 6th grade, but it was (and is) very light - mascara, lipgloss, maybe blush and eyeshadow, but you can't see it. Most of the girls did the same. I was in JH in the last 70's - OMG, my makeup was SO dark (think Dynasty). I'm glad styles have changed!

 

[pixiewings71]

My DD13 started wearing makeup when she started Middle School- age 11. That first year she would wear it occasionally and lightly. By last year 7th grade (age 12) she was wearing it daily.

For me this is kind of like when to allow leg shaving...When my DD reached a point that she was going to feel self-conscience to not wear make up- I let her.

I don't know a another 13 year old that doesn't wear it and my DD has large and varied circles of friends (school friends, ballet friends, theater friends, church friends).

Leg shaving, that's another thing I'd let her do now but DBF thinks she's too young. I'm thinking of giving her a razor in her Christmas stocking this year.

What she wants to wear IMO is fine. My DD would wear that in 7/8th grade if she wanted, however at that age she didn't really wear the eye stuff everyday but would if she was going anywhere. Beginning in 9th grade is when she really started wearing the eye stuff everyday. As a senior she still mostly concentrates on the eyes and lips. I think at 13 she is old enough to wear eye and lip stuff but please not the heavy eyeliner I see on some young girls, that to me is what makes them look cheap/trashy.

If she waited to 16 she would be a junior in high school and really be the odd girl to the other kids if she didn't wear any make-up.

I'm not making her wait until 16, not at all. I do think she can start playing with it, wearing mascara and lip gloss is a good place to start for me. I did find out that DD21 did wear the heavy eyeliner, she thought it looked good on her, she still does wear it that way, she still thinks it looks good. LOL I'm more of a natural type, I wear skin tones, use Bare Minerals and wear mascara on special occasions, I don't wear it every day because I'm "just" at work and our offices don't get foot traffic.

My DD is 13 and has shown no interest in make-up at all . She has mentioned that some of her friends wear it and if she wanted to I would let her, but I think she doesn't want anything else to do in the morning. She isn't very self conscious about her appearance, some days I'm lucky if she brushes her hair before she runs out the door.

LOL DD was just like this up until this year.......she asked me for a hair straightener the other day, that way it will be "easier to fix her hair every day" LOL

My mom let me start wearing it in middle school. She taught me how to use it correctly, though. Nothing heavy, nothing obvious, nothing trashy. I don't think 13 is too young at all (I was 13 and in high school!) as long as she knows how to properly apply makeup. I know that some salons in our area do a "teen's first facial and makeup application" kind of thing. Could you call around and see if anyplace will show her how to do a LIGHT and APPROPRIATE makeup?

I don't think any of our stores do this but maybe I'll do as a PP suggested and take her to Macy's to the Mac counter or something.

I have all boys, so take my opinion for what it's worth. But I feel it isn't about age as it is about appropriateness. It's more important where they are wearing make-up (maybe weekends only to begin?) and how they apply it. If a girl/woman has no clue how to put make-up on, it looks worse on them (even at age 16, 18, 21+) than younger girls (11, 12, 13) who do apply the right amount correctly.

This is how I feel too, I told her that for now she can wear it on weekends and around the house to practice and get comfortable with it, then next year when she's starting High School we can talk more about what she can wear to school. I started wearing make up around 14 and I remember one of my first tries I went to school and people laughed at me because my blush was too dark. I remember washing it off in the bathroom and having to scrub my face with those rough brown paper towels, well that made my cheeks even redder than if I'd just left the blush on! LOL So I talked to Mom that night and she and my older sister gave me a lesson and I practiced for a while before trying again. LOL You've all basically said how I feel but I do appreciate all the replies and suggestions. Thanks!! I do think 13 is still a bit young, but I'll stick with my weekends and at home deal.

 

[pyrxtc]

I will be allowing my DD12 to wear it this year in 7th grade. She will be getting some practice stuff for weekends and then for her 13th b-day this December, she will ahv a party with make-up goody type bags and her friends learing how to correctly use make-up to look prettier and not trashier and also some hair styles they can do easily. My SDD15 started wearing make-up in 5th or 6th grade with the heavy black liner every day, still now, can't even go one morning wihtout it. Someone might see her, so I went out and bought her some good make-up to use.

 

[java]

Special occassions only- not to school is what I am allowing my 12 year old to do. Like concerts, play, holidays. I am not a big makeup wearer myself but I do love my products.

 

[disneycruising]

My DD is now 15.5 and this is what we did.

Our family rule way no make up before 13. Then she could add two items a year after that. My goal was for her to learn to wear makeup appropiatly by letting her have a little and working our way up. Trying to avoid the street walker look. By the time she started High school she was in full make up.

On her 13th Birthday, I took her to Saphora's and they did her make up...just for fun! She was then allowed to chose 2 pieces of make up. She picked fountain and a very light eye shadow. Every year on her birthday we take her back: she gets her make up done & she gets to pick two more items. At 14 she picked mascara and blush and at 15 she added eyeliner and lipstick.

This worked well for us!