AIBU to buy a 4yr old makeup

[scuzy]

my niece is turning 4 soon and was thinking of getting her this for her ..

www.toys.ie/Minnie-Mouse-Oh-My-Make-Up-Tote-!117058-prd.aspx?qwSessionID=e9ec04ae-10c3-4fd0-af71-e82bdb230fca

she is a real girly girl have seen her with painted nails before. loves her clothes and handbags. but its more from the mum's point of view would you be upset at your 4 yr old girl getting this as a present?

all thoughts and opinions appreciated

I'm in my 30s and annoyingly keep getting ID for my youthful looks. I don't put it all down to good genes and luck though. I think never wearing make up as a kid/teenager/twentysomething helped my skin stand the test of time enourmously.

So if you want this 4 year old to grow up obsessed with towelling on make up and looking like a hag before her time, get the present.

Otherwise, let 4 year olds natural beauty shine.

I wouldn't. When DD was 3 we did get her a Tinkerbell set of fairy dust powder and shimmer lip gloss from Santa (the only thing she actually asked for for Christmas) but I don't count that as make-up as it is just for playing fairies etc.

My DD is five, and while I wouldn't put that set in the bin, I wouldn't be thrilled. I'd probably let her play with it once and quietly put it away. She does like that kind of thing, but I think it's too grown up. And once put away, I bet she'd never actually think about it. I reckon dressing up clothes is a much better idea and she will get a lot more fun out of them.

I am amazed. I would never buy or accept makeup for a child that wasn't a teenager, or let a 4 year old choose their own clothes! All this stuff is marketed to intensively at them - of course they want it! They can't be expected to resist or discriminate at that age - that's our job as parents. But I am notoriously fierce (insane?) about these things....

I wouldn't allow my DD to have any makeup until she reached 15 when an aunt gave me a pale pink lipstick. Youngsters in lipstick just look common.

I wouldn't throw it away though. I'd put it into my own drawer.

I think YABU. I'm really sorry but I think you are. A face painting set to turn her into a butterfly or a tiger, or a pirate or anything imaginative and fun would be a much better idea.

I know a few 4 year olds who would LOVE that set!

i'd be happy with you getting that for my 5yo if it's just lip glosses, hair slides, and nail polish, as long as the nail polish was the peel off stuff.

But i have previously established that i am the only MNer who doesn't equate letting them have a play with some sparkly stuff that's basically just like facepaint with letting them become looks obsessed/grow up to soon/become perceived as sexual objects. so best not then .

SIL got dd make up when she was 6. I was unimpressed and I think she could tell by my face. I wasn't quick enough to hide my annoyance.

This year she got her some nice tinkerbelle roll on perfumes that are lively for her. She can't put too much on and she feels really grown up but doesn't have gunk all over her face. I would recommend something like that instead.

My3 year old has make up and a Barbie hair style head and a Barbie mirror. She and her friends love doing makeovers (basically shovelling lipgloss all over each others faces. I don't let her go out with makeup on but I let her play with it in the house, just another sir of role play

If you are so opposed to makeup making them grow up etc etc then I am sure that none of your daughters have play kitchens ( teaching them to be a slave to the kitchen) or bottles to feed their dollies (so much responsibility at a young age, surely it's glamourising child rearing and making it look so easy as the baby doesn't cry all night), toy cleaning props must be banned too along with play high heels, toy mobile phones etc.

My feelings exactly jo

thanks for the all the replies. i am not going to get it for her ... and presumed it would be used for dress up etc. actually the more i think of it the more i'd say my sil wouldnt like it. she is a very elegant natural woman, very pretty and dresses well (and a figure i would kill for) but doesnt do hair and nails and make up every day actually. she would be thinkin of her skin probably so yes bad idea.

loads of other great suggestions here so thanks again!

Well done for asking!

There should be a danger list of Things You Don't Get Someone Elses Child.

I'll start.

Weapons
Make up
Things that make a Noise
Hama Beads
Glitter

Our DD will be 4 this week. I don't mind nail varnish as it comes off so easily in the swimming pool but we will not allow any other kind of makeup despite her begging as a friend gave her DD some (same age) to play with. Plenty of time for that when she's older. But, at least you asked :)

DD used to get that sort of thing when she was little from her aunt and she loved it! Her aunt used to show her how to put it on too, I am useless as I don't wear much make-up.
Didn't do any harm - she is now 9 and has no particular interest in make-up and is not particularly fussed about clothes and things.
So, depends on your SIL - some would feel very strongly about it (as is clear from this thread).

I would get it for my own daughter at 4 a long as it was washed off before leaving the house, but I don't think I'd like someone else to buy this for my child so I'd say no don't get it.

My 3.5 year old DSD discovered my lipsticks at the weekend and then used them to draw all over the kitchen table while I was washing up!(Have now learnt you can't leave your makeup bag on the table or turn your back for 30 seconds while she is having breakfast a foot from you!) Apart from the fact she is too young the mess is awful!