Should I Let My Toddler Wear Makeup?

on October 12, 2008 at 7:32 AM

My daughter always asks to wear my lipstick and lip gloss. I quickly change the subject or offer her a cookie.

She's also begging me to paint her fingernails and toes ("But, Mommy, Jessica's Mom lets her wear nail polish ...") and pierce her ears ("Well, Sweetie, my own father didn't let me pierce my ears until I was 16, so ...").

Yes, it's a perfectly innocent and normal request, now. But I wonder if a smear of gloss or dab of acrylic is "gateway" makeup. Give in now and she may ask to start wearing makeup much earlier in adolescence. (I actually know parents who've highlighted their 4-year-old's hair, but that's a whole other issue ... )

So, are you cool with your little daughter playing paint-my-face now and again? At what age do you think you'll let your her wear cosmetics in public?

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: girls, grooming

Comments (25)

Wonderwoman73

on Oct 12, 2008 at 10:02 AM

My daughter and I play dress up quite a bit, and I let her paint her own face with my makeup. We also have 'mani/pedi' day, where I give us both manis and pedis. I see nothing wrong with it because it is encouraging her to be creative and she is having fun doing it.

She is 3 years old now, but to answer your question, I will not allow her to wear more than lip gloss until she is at least 13 years old.....then she can wear lip gloss and mascara. When she is 16 years old I will allow her to wear eye shadow and tinted moisturizer.....and so on.....I am a makeup artist so I will teach her to apply it age apporpriately.

Report this comment

MAyers

on Oct 12, 2008 at 12:22 PM

I love painting my daughter's toes I've been doing it since she was like 6 months old. As far as make up I will put on a little lip gloss. She feels pretty and there's nothing wrong w/ feeling pretty. Oh and my DD's 2.

LexsiesMommy

on Oct 12, 2008 at 1:34 PM

I paint my daughters...toe nails,

i smear a little gloss on her once in a blue moon,

i dont see nothing wrong with it, i dont let her dress and put makeup on like a little glamor girl, though,....

Whats the differance between chapstick and lipgloss being a gateway for makeup,

i have to put chapstick on her once in awhile too because of the winter and she will get dry chapped lips, she knows its mommys stuff so she doesnt really care if it goes on her or not...she cant wear anything else but chapstick ...once in awhile like i said a lil dab of lipgloss, but....thats months and months in between,

KBSSJ5

on Oct 12, 2008 at 2:02 PM

My daughter is 4 I have been paintiong her nails since she was one but thats all we do she wears vaseline on her lips and we call it lipstick but I wont allow her to do make up for a while, not sure what age but i know it will be a while.

Crazy-Steph

on Oct 12, 2008 at 2:31 PM

My daughter always has her fingernails and toe nails painted. She is 7. I also let her play in makeup - but she is not allowed to go anywhere with it on. I guess I don't see any issue with it. It is makeup, not drugs.

NooYawka

on Oct 12, 2008 at 4:12 PM

My take is different; I say it's OK to play with makeup, just like it's OK to play with princess gowns, tiaras, wings and a wand - because they are all for fantasy and dress up and have nothing to do with real life. So the makeup is...not subtle, to say the least! It's fun, it's loud, it's all over her face and it usually has sparkles in it, too. Just like I wouldn't mind her wearing big red circles on her cheeks to be a clown on Halloween, I don't mind colors on her face for fantasy dress up other times. (And there is usually little difference between the two!)

That way, there is a definitive dividing line about what's appropriate for little girls and grown up ladies. She doesn't confuse one for the other.

And the best fun? Let her put it on herself. And if you're feeling generous, let her do your face, too. Make sure you have a camera.

motherofanaries

on Oct 12, 2008 at 6:51 PM

I think some nailpolish is fine, and my ears were pierced before I was old enough to remember. But I didn't start wearing makeup until I was 14 and didn't get another ear piercing until I was 20

babymama322

on Oct 12, 2008 at 10:45 PM

My dd is 18 months and has had her ears pierced since 8 weeks. I put lip stuff on her all the time and she puts it on herself all the time. I can't wait til she is old enough to play dress up. I will probably start painting her nails in a few months. i see no problems with it. The face makeup should only be done for play though. JMO

LondonAlexis

on Oct 13, 2008 at 12:40 AM

I also enjoy mother daughter time with my soon to be 3 year old by doing mini pedicures and cool whip facials. She has her own stash of bonnie belle lip gloss that she's free to use when ever. She only wants to do these things because she wants to imitate me. She's not allowed in my makeup but we have a glitter powder brush and things that we play with when we are playing mother daughter dress up around the house. I even let her apply my lipstick and gloss sometimes...indoors lol.

I dont' think make-up and toddler belong in the same sentenace unless it's in a play setting .