make up and 6yo DD - what to do?

sleep no, I choose not to wear it because I don't waste my time on covering my face up and then pretending it's my individual choice.

drogo oh yes? Purple foundation? Sure. If it's about what we just so happen to want, why is it always about trying to make ourselves look appealing?

You KNOW that that is not a norm

I do. But nobody is stopping you from wearing it. You just choose not to, because you don't want to stand out by wearing incredibly bright colours on your face. Understandable, I don't really want anyone staring at me on the tram either.

I think make up is damaging (mentally, physically and socially). I really hope my DD doesn't feel the need to wear it as an adult.

I find that quite offensive.

And as for dictionary definitions of feminism...well. Who do you think wrote them? Feminists? Probably not even women.

Radical feminism is about destroying the patriarchy and, as far as I'm concerned, is the only viable type of feminism. I do not consider 'individual choice so I'm alright so yay feminism' to be feminism.

If it's an individual choice, why don't we wear green lipstick? Why don't we wear purple foundation?

Actually I see that quite a lot. The new one where I am is to have hair and eyebrows dyed a very bright colour, and lipstick or eyeshadow to either match or completely clash.

"I think if it was more socially acceptable a lot more men would wear make up. I know my brother would, he suffered with terrible acne."

Most women don't wear make up to cover acne. They wear it to look what society views as 'normal'.

The OP already addressed the princess thing.

Can you just treat it as you would face paint /dressing up, so she treats it as a play thing and not something for everyday.

sleep

I knew, I just BLOODY KNEW as soon as I posted that, that someone would do this.

You KNOW that that is not a norm. About 1% of women have EVER gone out with that kind of make up. You know as well as I do that 99% of women will wear roughly the same make up, neutral eyeshadow, shaded brows, pink/red lipstick/black eyeliner/black mascara because that is what we've been conditioned to wear, so don't derail with such nonsense.

why should princesses be boring? OP, i think you are the kind of feminist that looks down on what are perceived as 'feminine interests''.Feminism is about choice, and tbh you aren't a true feminist for pointing out flaws on other women about the CHOICES they have CHOSEN to make.

Have to agree with this. Fair enough she is only 6 and has no need for make up, but what if she grows up and decides she wants to wear make up every day?
I think if it was more socially acceptable a lot more men would wear make up. I know my brother would, he suffered with terrible acne.
Oh and princesses don't have to be boring. Instead of telling her not to get an old, boring princess, why not let her see that actually, princesses can be strong and independent and aren't always rescued by the Prince (won't be hard to find a film or a book with that message) , instead of telling her that princesses are old and boring. Way to write off women there OP.
I hardly ever wear make up now, but when I'm going out I do a full face because I like it. When I was younger I was obsessed and convinced I was going to be a make up artist because I was very good at applying it (I was very good at drawing aswell as it goes). I still get compliments on my make up when I do wear it. I couldn't give a shiny shite who's looking down their nose and judging. Says more about them than it does me.

When you google the definition of feminism, this is what comes up:
'the advocacy of women's rights on the ground of the equality of the sexes.'
so fighting for gender equality.

If it's an individual choice, why don't we wear green lipstick? Why don't we wear purple foundation?

go ahead, some people do

I'm on the same page as you OP. And it shocks me that so many women on a feminist board are STILL arguing that it's their individual choice to wear make up.

If it's an individual choice, why don't we wear green lipstick? Why don't we wear purple foundation? And most pertinently of all, why is it only women who seem to make this individual choice? Why are there so few men who 'just like' putting on make up?

If it's any consolation, my mum has never worn make up in her life (not in any feminist way, she just couldn't be arsed) and I definitely went through phases where I wore tons of it and was quite into it, but I definitely never had the feeling of it being 'necessary' as so many of my friends did. So I think by not wearing it, you are doing a lot already.

Oh, give over. Where have I given that impression? You're making assumptions.

literally all throughout this thread. you are busy telling women why, by wearing makeup, they are clearly greatly insecure and trying to hide their flaws.

Feminism is about equality between the two sexes. That's the definition of the word. And you can argue your point about makeup is hiding insecurities (true, but not for all cases) and how people are addicted to it, but you are refusing to acknowledge the point that so many people have raised on this thread, women wear makeup for themselves. Because they like the way they can express themselves. Because they love the bright colours. Because it allows them to be unique. Not all women are so insecure that they have had 'a spell cast over them' meaning they can't leave the house.

Liberal feminism is about choice, but liberal feminism is rearranging the deck chairs as far as I'm concerned.

ok. that's your view. doesn't mean mine has to be the same.

I don't wear make-up often, probably 4 times a year IF I can be assed, its not about taking the 'problem' away its about helping your daughter learn you can have fun with it but it isn't the be all of everything, I do agree though the teen girls (& some boys) these days with the caked on make-up is ridiculous but thats down to the parents letting there child walk out of the house like that isn't it 🤷🏻‍♀️ personally would never let DD wear make-up like that...

Shout out for Moana in the princess discussion too. No love interest (other than her family/community and her own ambitions) and she's a fearless adventurer who actively rebels against gender expectations. It's not perfect of course, but that's the sort of princess I can get behind.

I would put the makeup issue to one side, because you risk your issue with it clouding the message you are sending your daughter.

You hate makeup, it's your prerogative, your daughter will be exposed to it through her life, just as she will be exposed to many negative things, which will include a massive list of things she will have to make choices over. Drugs, smoking, risk taking, dropping litter, giving up her seat on public transport for someone who needs it more.

Teach your daughter critical thinking and to question behaviour she sees from others. Teach her to ask why people make the choices they do and what their influences and motivation might be.

You are right, if you take it away you risk it becoming a desired object, I'd shove it where you keep any other dressing up things.

Tell her why you don't like it, but don't make it forbidden, let her know that she can decide for her self-in an age appropriate way. She is more likely to grow up with feminist values if she understands the reasons.

what princesses have in common with each other is achingly boring, and buying into the beauty myth that's used tor constrain women and girls - they're pretty and they marry princes.

actually, this is untrue. Have you seen the Disney movie 'Brave?' or even Elsa in Frozen? They are both strong female characters from an insanely popular movie franchise. they are also both princesses.