Page 2 | What age is nail varnish O.K.

Hereisalittleteapot · 2026-06-21T10:47:25+00:00

What age do people feel it is reasonable for children to wear nail varnish. I was having a disagreement with a friend over the fact I do not allow my 3 year old to. She does ask sometimes but she also sucks her fingers sometimes and I just don't like it on young children. Friend says this is hypocritical as I sometimes have a manicure.

FudgeSundae · 21/06/2026 17:46

Just to add though, I wouldn’t think you were odd or hypocritical for having this rule - just different!

FudgeSundae · 21/06/2026 17:45

WhatAMarvelousTune · 21/06/2026 17:41

I do a single coat on my DDs’ nails occasionally and they are 4&7 (but only just so I did do it when my youngest was 3). It’s not allowed at school so I only do it at the end of each term. It comes off pretty quickly with just one coat. I don’t really consider it make up as such, I don’t think blue nails are equivalent to mascara and red lipstick. But equally, I have literally no opinion on what other people choose to do with their children, and certainly wouldn’t call someone a hypocrite. Which doesn’t even make sense, because obviously you do some things you don’t allow a 3 yr old to do!

Edited

We’re the same as this for our girls 5 and 6, for at least the last couple of years. I’ve never considered it “make up” but they love painting their nails before holidays etc and are very proud of it so I don’t see the harm. Not allowed at school. (Seems funny that I’m in the minority, my mum was very strict and I thought she was the odd one!)

WhatAMarvelousTune · 21/06/2026 17:41

I do a single coat on my DDs’ nails occasionally and they are 4&7 (but only just so I did do it when my youngest was 3). It’s not allowed at school so I only do it at the end of each term. It comes off pretty quickly with just one coat. I don’t really consider it make up as such, I don’t think blue nails are equivalent to mascara and red lipstick. But equally, I have literally no opinion on what other people choose to do with their children, and certainly wouldn’t call someone a hypocrite. Which doesn’t even make sense, because obviously you do some things you don’t allow a 3 yr old to do!

soundsys · 21/06/2026 17:37

I think the peel of children’s stuff is fine from whenever they show an interest. I think mine have had that since 4-ish on the odd occasion they show an interest.

Actual nail polish for special occasions, maybe 10, 11, 12? And gels etc from when they can afford to pay for it themselves 🤣

Imaginary86 · 21/06/2026 17:35

My 4 year old loves kid friendly nail varnish

ParmesanRealignment · 21/06/2026 17:31

My son loved having his nails red & black as a 3yo to look a bit Spider-Man-ish. He continued to have that (sometimes green & blue to look Hulk-ish etc) until he went to school, when he grew out of it.

My DD however has never wanted her nails painted and wouldn’t occur to her.

Original poster

Hereisalittleteapot · 21/06/2026 17:19

I think after reading the replies I am going to put it off for at least another couple of years. Definitely not before her hands go in her mouth less. If she asks persistently at some point the nails seems a better option.

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Cuwins · 21/06/2026 17:14

As a 1 off not a regular thing

Cuwins · 21/06/2026 17:13

I don’t wear nail polish or any make up so my opinion might be a bit wonky but my DD is 4 and her Nana (my MIL) has her nails done regularly. DD has asked Nana to do hers and Nana has said it’s up to us (well done Nana!). I have said maybe when she is 5.

AutumnAllTheWay · 21/06/2026 16:39

8 or 9

Light shades

12 or 13, whatever they want tho would hope they ask my opinion on what goes with what!

ThisIsMyFirstNameChange · 21/06/2026 12:53

I do my 4 and 2 year olds toes when they ask. But I just say it’s a blanket rule for school and nursery that they’re not allowed it on their fingers. No complaints

Floppyearedlab · 21/06/2026 12:40

ToadRage · 21/06/2026 12:10

I think i was about 8 or 9 when my Mum bought me my first nail polish. But my 6 year cousin asked me to paint her nails and her Mum said it was ok. I had a friend who wasn't allowed til she was 16, her Mum was very strict.

I was the same. I used to rush home from school on a Friday to paint my nails and would take it off last minute on Sunday night.
I have gel nail varnish now as an adult.
I wouldn’t allow it on a 3 year old. Maybe by KS2.

Isobel201 · 21/06/2026 12:37

ToadRage · 21/06/2026 12:10

I think i was about 8 or 9 when my Mum bought me my first nail polish. But my 6 year cousin asked me to paint her nails and her Mum said it was ok. I had a friend who wasn't allowed til she was 16, her Mum was very strict.

yeah same I remember a photo of me around that age with some lipstick on my teeth by accident. Possibly tried nail varnish around that time, but then I developed a nail biting habit that took years to get out of.

ToadRage · 21/06/2026 12:10

I think i was about 8 or 9 when my Mum bought me my first nail polish. But my 6 year cousin asked me to paint her nails and her Mum said it was ok. I had a friend who wasn't allowed til she was 16, her Mum was very strict.

frenchnoodle · 21/06/2026 12:08

I did my child's toes from about 4 years, whenever there's interest shown. It doesn't tend to last long.

EBearhug · 21/06/2026 12:07

I sometimes drive a car or pay the bills or go to work or use sharp knives... there are lots of things we do as adults that children don't do. Some of them are prescribed by law, but lots of other things are common sense, and usually based on risk assessment. It doesn't make any of it hypocritical.

Ibi · 21/06/2026 12:06

I let my son try it around 3/4 as I was painting mine and he wanted to copy. I got the stuff that was suitable for children for him to have a go. He didn’t suck his thumb though.

Bitzee · 21/06/2026 12:06

I wouldn’t care about the age so much but you don’t want them ingesting it if they suck their fingers/thumb and it’s usually against school uniform rules. In your case I’d let her do her toes if she wanted because I really don’t see what the big deal is but your kid your choice. Your friend’s argument is bonkers though, there are loads of things you do as an adult that you wouldn’t allow a preschooler do.

Original poster

Hereisalittleteapot · 21/06/2026 12:05

blueskyview · 21/06/2026 12:03

Toes only at 3 as they are always putting fingers in mouths as that age.

I hadn't considered toes tbf. I think it would only last 10 seconds though.

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Original poster

Hereisalittleteapot · 21/06/2026 12:04

UserNineNine · 21/06/2026 12:03

That would be great. They could hold down a full time job and do either all the cooking or all the laundry. And drive themselves, that would be a massive help.

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Lol 😆 🤣

Love this. Friend is one of those so sure of themselves that they make you feel unreasonable types.

OP posts:

blueskyview · 21/06/2026 12:03

Toes only at 3 as they are always putting fingers in mouths as that age.

UserNineNine · 21/06/2026 12:03

TigTails · 21/06/2026 11:55

YANBU, and your friend is ridiculous! Does she let her children do everything she does!?

That would be great. They could hold down a full time job and do either all the cooking or all the laundry. And drive themselves, that would be a massive help.

Original poster

Hereisalittleteapot · 21/06/2026 12:02

PinkNBlueBunnies · 21/06/2026 11:53

We let DD have peel off children’s nail varnish from age 3 but she has never sucked her fingers/thumb.

I really don't like the idea of her ingesting it. Right now her hands are in her mouth so much.

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PurpleLovecats · 21/06/2026 12:01

I was not bothered by mine using nail varnish from a very young age but it had to be removed for school.

RaininSummer · 21/06/2026 11:57

I was going to say 14 in school holidays unless it's play stuff or on their toes only but maybe I am hopelessly out of date.