Beauty set for twelve year old

[claireybeee]

My twelve year old niece has asked for makeup for Christmas. I’ve decided to put a little collection together myself in a make up bag for her, possibly some little minis and make up remover. I’m not really sure what would be the best makeup for this sort of age and don’t want to get anything too ‘grown up’. So far I’m thinking

• mascara
  
• bright nail varnish
  
• shimmery eye shadow
  
• lip gloss
  

Does anyone else have any suggestions for brands/products that might go down well? Thanks!

[CheapSausagesAndSpam]

Is she a young 12 or a more mature one? I ask because thanks to Youtube, some 12 year olds are ridiculouly brand aware.

Having said that, I wouldn't buy expensive stuff. Just get some Boots No. 7 or similar as you know it's not going to bring her out in a rash or something but won't break the bank!

My 13 year old adores makeup and MIL went out and bought her a bloody big bag of expensive stuff...now her makeup is nicer than mine!

I don't think kids should have posh makeup. DD is allowed a bit of mascara to go out or some cover up on a spot but all this posh stuff is just wasted on them really.

[PepeLePew]

I’ve just got my niece (similar age) some brown mascara, BB cream, pink lip gloss and a very pale pink creme blush. She has never had makeup before so this is experimental for her - I deliberately went for things that weren’t too full on so she can get used to it.

[PepeLePew]

Should have said, all fairly cheap - Rimmel and Maybelline, I think.

[MrsAHotch]

I agree with the gloss/blush/mascara idea. It’s minimal yet still feels like you’re getting ready at that age. I used to like a bit of eyeliner now and then for special occasions too. Doesn’t matter that I was rubbish at applying it back then.

[Merrilymerrilymerrily]

Another thing that my nieces of similar age love is bath bombs. Lush seems to produce the coveted ones, so you could add one or two of those? Maybe ask her if she has any preferred brands? Then you'll know what all
the 'kids' are into

[claireybeee]

Thanks so much guys, it’s tricky isn’t it? I had thought of getting some little benefit minis until I realised they’re £10 each! She’s a pretty young 12 in terms of makeup/image etc. so I’ll stick with the basics like you’ve suggested.

While you guys are already helping me does anyone know the ‘trendy’ brands for tweens these days? I was thinking possibly Zara and H&M but not sure if I’m off the mark.

[LadyLapsang]

Maybe you should start a new thread for the brand question otherwise people will miss it. I was thinking of booking a teen relative for a Bobbi Brown teen beauty session and then give them a voucher to spend, say lip gloss, mascara and a pot rouge, with a good cleanser from La Roche Posay.

[ScaryDuck]

My 12 year old niece likes H&M, Zara and New Look so sounds about right. She has also asked for Zoella products, not sure if that includes make up but could be worth looking at. Makes me feel old that I just don't get Zoella!

[userabcname]

Boots were doing 3 benefit minis for £25 and it came with a make up bag - I bought that for my cousin a couple of weeks ago. Otherwise bourjois and maxfactor both have free gifts when you spend £15 at the moment - again at Boots and Superdrug.

[MrsScrubbingbrush]

DDs (12) have just started taking an interest in makeup other than nail polish and lip gloss.

They went shopping in Primark the other week and bought an eyeshadow set where you picked your own colours (9) and added them to the palette.

At the moment they're into quantity rather than quality😀