Tweens Too Young for Makeup?

I started wearing makeup when I was 12. But it was very little and my mom picked the colors so they were pretty much neutral. I have always liked makeup and my little girl does too. She like these little lip gloss key chains I buy her. But as for wearing full makeup like eyeliner and mascara and heavy colors I say not until at least 14 maybe older. Of course when I was 15 I would wear my makeup light until I got to school then I pulled out the black eyeliner and lipstick. But there was no harm done. I got over that phase

I think clear lipgloss or a light lipstick and blush is fine at twelve--but no eyeliner, mascara or anything dark.

I'm with Proudmumof2. I want to teach my daughter that she is beautiful and to have a high self-esteem without the make-up. It isn't necessary and hides who she truly is. I'm 31 and I rarely wear make-up. I don't need it, I don't want it. And if my husband doesn't like what I look like without make-up, he'd never like me with it. What's more important that "keeping up with what friends are doing" is being proud of who you are and that you don't always have to do everything your friends do.

I do have to point out though, the part where the mom says "it seems the norm to let your daughter wear makeup" is a little disturbing. Just because something is the "norm" doesn't mean it should be. What if the "norm" is smoking pot or smoking cigarettes or starving oneself to be thin? Do we always want our children doing what "all the other kids" are doing?

12 is not too young to wear make up in my house, but it is too young to wear heavy make up and/or a full face.

I don't see anything wrong with a 12 year old fanning her lashes with clear mascara, patting on a light blush and some sheer gloss. Some girls are just into that stuff and I'd rather help her by having her start slow and learn about make up and that she doesn't need to cover up her natural beauty than have her rebel or sneak and look like a damn clown.

You have to let them grow up sometime. She's not asking to get her nipples pierced, she's asking to add a spash of color to her face and learning to keep up a nice appearance is an important and valuable lesson!

I don't have a daughter, but if I did, I would be with the ladies who said they would allow a light gloss or light lipstick, and light colors of blush etc.  I would teach her that less is more and caking it on only makes you look foolish.  I didn't start learning about make-up until I was around 15.  I stuck with light colors then and I still do now, although I don't wear much make-up most of the time, usually only when I am going out somewhere with my husband, and even then it is light and not very noticable.  I don't wear blush or powder, so I don't have the heavy caking that most women are talking about.  I also don't do mascara either because I was always afraid I was going to poke myself in the eye.  I wear chapstick most of the time, and when I go out I put on light pink shades of lipstick/tinted gloss, and sometimes eyeshadow.

I don't see anything wrong with tweens starting to wear light make up.  It helps to boost their self confidence at a time when kids can be real mean.  My 12 year old is small for her age and constantly gets picked on for it.  She recently started wearing a touch of neutral eye shadow and a little lip gloss.  We've been experimenting with her hairstyles also.  This has really helped to boost her confidence at a time when she was being brought down daily at school.  We have had the discussions that she is very beautiful without make up and that a little make up only enhances her natural beauty.  Some of you may think I'm an awful mom for allowing it, but I'll take that if means my daughter can come home from school with her head held high.

I am not sure how I feel about this. Ask me when my daughter is older. I think lip gloss is okay and light make up maybe... Not dark eye liner... I wans't allowed until I was 16... I don't wear make up often even now... I wanted to at about 12... I dunno...

I've always been a fan of makeup since I was a little girl and my 2 year old gets into my makeup on an almost daily basis. I don't condone it at this age, but usually she's just playful and I wash it off. 12 is ok if it's light makeup like gloss, blush, or mascara. No liners or eyeshadows unless its barely there. Honestly, if it were my daughter (these are modern times and the world is changing) I'd let her wear makeup and show her how to do it properly so she knows what looks good on her and what doesn't. I'd also make sure they didn't have too many chemicals in them so they don't irrate her skin. I don't think that girls wanting to wear makeup necessarily means "self-esteem issues". They are girls just wanting to have fun (yes Cyndi Lauper was right) and experiment with their looks. I don't think makeup is a big deal. I went through many phases (including Goth) and eventually grew out of it. I would rather have my daughter experimenting with makeup and different color hairstyles then experimenting with drugs and alcohol.

My daughter wears makeup and shes 11. Its very light and very tasteful, usually I guide her in the direction to look nice and there is no problems!!