I am confessing straight up from the get-go, I am a guy, and know as much about make up as a pig knows about flying! So, I have asked around from girls – women if you like – and they have this to say. Whatever their verdict, blame it on the girls!
Why do women wear makeup, and girls aspire to do so? The main reasons are to look older; to look presentable, attractive, pretty or beautiful; to cover blemishes, scars and birth marks; and to create a consistent skin tone. With these reasons defined, do you think it justifiable for a child, a tween (ages 10 – 12) or a teen (ages 13 – 19) to make up with cosmetics? Let’s hash it out.
According to a mother, the answer to this depends on each individual. But she thinks 4 is much too young, and 10, too young. In her opinion, 13 is the best and most appropriate age to start experimenting with makeup, but to a very limited extent. Why? Here are some of her reasons:
- A child has no business trying to look pretty or attractive. Her physical self, as far as beauty, shouldn’t be an issue. Her focus should be on behaviour and internal beauty, such as being good.
- All girls should be comfortable in their own skin before making it up and covering it over. If girls get into the habit of wearing makeup every time they leave the house, they’ll never feel complete without it. And that’s just a bad habit to get into.
- Girls shouldn’t wear makeup to make themselves look pretty. Sure, it can highlight or define features, cover flaws and soften the skin, but if you think you aren’t pretty without it, then that’s a problem.
- Girls should have stages to look forward to as they grow. Girls have such a limited time as children, but so many years to be a grown up and do grown-up things. She believes wearing makeup should be a fun thing to look forward to when a girl gets older. If girls are wearing makeup and high heels when they are 4 or 10, what do they have to look forward to? What do they have to establish each level of maturity in their lives as they get older?
- Young skin is very sensitive, especially a child’s complexion, and makeup is not healthy. It clogs the pores.
- She also believes there should be a progression when it comes to introducing makeup into your daily life, and that progression should be determined by your age.
She thinks it’s okay to begin including makeup in your regimen at the age of 13. Following is her progression suggestion:
13 – 14 years old – lip gloss
15 years old – face powder, lightly tinted eye shade, and lip gloss that enhances your natural colouring
16- 17 years old – foundation, mascara, moderately tinted eye shadows, and lipsticks that define your natural colouring
18 years old – eyeliner and more defined eye shadows and lipsticks, including lip liners
You shouldn’t wear makeup to cover your face. If you look completely different once your makeup is removed, then you’re putting on too much. Makeup shouldn’t mask your face, it should highlight it.
Girls, what do you think about this age – make up progression? And should moms allow their little girls wear makeup?
Credit: projectinspired.com
