To think my niece should be allowed to wear makeup to school.

[PiperIsOrange]

DN came home rather upset today after being told makeup is banned in school. She doesn't wear a lot just some foundation and clear lipgloss.

The reason she likes to wear it is because it covers all her spots, in the summer holiday she didn't wear any. My sister has taken her to the doctors and tried every OTC lotions and potions but nothing works.

It really boost her confidence and now she is dreading school because of these spots.

I have been to her school to collect school reports as dsis due to work commitments and have seen many teachers wearing makeup, so I assume it's a policy for pupils only.

I think she could work on her self esteem and confidence with her spots showing. Spots really don't make that much difference to whether someone is attractive or not. That is partly what the no makeup policy at schiols is about; so that the students accept themselves and each other as they are, without hiding 'defects'.

Having said that, most schools will overlook the 'barely there' look of light eye liner and lip balm.

I accept that aibu though as I hate it when poster start a thread then don't accept if they are bu

YABU because makeup makes spots worse and you should be being a grownup and discouraging her from using it.

All teenagers have spots and any of them whose good opinion is worth anything at all will not judge someone for having them.

How could a school claim to be teaching good values like equality, respect and confidence whilst simultaneously condoning an attitude that a female face is ugly unless it is artificially painted, whereas a male face is acceptable without any enhancement.

cross post. sorry I don't normally post after the OP has graciously accepted the MN verdict.

The old headmaster didn't mind, this year there is a new one. So I doubt it is only my niece who will be upset by this new rule.

DD says try out a few different concealers to get a good skin colour/type match and only use it over spots. If it is natural looking, teachers won't complain.

I would support my nephew as well if he wanted to cover up spots with makeup

Yes, but the school wouldn't !!

I think YANBU. It's soul destroying enough being a spotty teenager without having to go without foundation. Make up doesn't hurt anyone, but can help enormously.

I think you (or her mum) should help her to get some foundation in an exact match for her skin and teach her how to apply it so no one will notice she's wearing it.

I am acne rosacea and I am also a teacher. I tell the girls to wash their make up off while wearing mine for the same reason as I would report them for buying a drink in a bar while I was sipping a dry white wine-I'm an adult, they aren't.

However, I have found that drinking water helps my spots, lot of water. I also now juice fruit and veg in the morning and drink that- 2 spoons of ax seed and a small amount of chia seed go in too. THat really helps my skin, they are full of omega 3 and other goodies which help in the same way as antibiotics-apparently!

Of course the rule only applies to the kids.

My boss could tell me off (if I broke the rules) about my earrings, shoes, tights/socks, length of nails, false eyelashes, etc while standing there with big dangly hoops, high heels, long nails, false eyelashes, etc because my role is covered by a uniform policy and hers isnt.

Thank you for the tips, I am writing them down for her to try out.

I think a small amount of foundation is fine as long as carefully and subtly applied, I don't think she's got a case for lip gloss though. I'm a teacher and we take the "if we can't tell without really looking policy then it's fine"
Why make teenagers in midst of self conscious hormones and spots feel even worse about themselves. School is hard enough for them.

Take her to get some decent foundation which matches with her skin tone and a loose powder to set it and they won't be able to tell she has any on. Mascara, eyeliner, lipstick etc I understand but foundation doesn't make you look 'made up', just gives you a clearer even skin tone.

If just concealer was used on the spots, then she would have no obvious foundation signs. The new head is trying for a stricter approach, it may not last! My experience of girls wearing make up (I've never worked anywhere it was banned) is that as well as reapplying it, they need to take their phones out to use the cameras to check how it looks (nothing as low tech as mirrors for them!) hence getting into trouble for that.

Dianette really helped my friend OP, her face cleared up quickly. Using a light moisturiser that's natural also helps. If your want any more ideas PM, she's been through a load of them.

Foundation doesn't help but after seeing my friend i really can sympathise.

There is no evidence that wearing make up makes acne worse.

Teenagers with severe acne do not wear foundation to look pretty, they wear it to not be noticed.

Boys DO wear it too, though social pressure is not quite so severe in expectation of flawlessness.

I have to say, if the school have banned makeup as strictly as the last one I worked at did, they won't appreciate even concealer or natural looking foundation.

Girls who wore it were sent home. That was probably quite extreme though.

I don't think YABU. Think some people have forgotten what it's like to be a teenage girl. I think this could become a real psychological issue for her. I expect the replies would be different if your DN was covering a birthmark or scar, for example.

I don't think anyone will be able to tell if it's a foundation matched to her skin tone, carefully applied.

I'm no fan of children wearing make up and don't wear it myself but I do remember how at her age I wouldn't remove my jumper in the Summer if teachers were strict about tucking shirts in - I'd literally have died rather than comply, I was so self conscious about weight.

And I'd say the same if it was a boy! My dh wears concealer to cover a spot, I'd be surprised if teenage boys don't.

What about BB cream no one would know

I completely disagree that wearing make-up makes spots worse.

I was make-up free in my teenage years and my skin was awful. I now wear it on an almost daily basis and it's much better than it ever was back then. I've gone without make-up for the past two days and have spots on my chin.

It's just some people have good skin and others don't. Make-up doesn't make it worse.

Has she tried duac?

Doctors don't like to offer it, you have to ask but it really works.

Unusual for a secondary to actually insist on no makeup, regardless of what is stated in the rules. Seems petty.

I think most teachers would turn a blind eye to a bit of subtle foundation. It's the thick black eyeliner and spider eyelashes that need addressing.

Ali, ours did. It was in the leafy suburbs and had VERY high standards re uniform and hair and makeup. Absolutely no makeup allowed including nail polish and only watches permitted. Sixth formers - light makeup and clear/pale pink polish. Sixth formers had to wear suits. The girls and boys could only get their skirts and trousers from a designated uniform shop, all socks were school socks ... You get the picture!

I have to say though, the eduction your child would have received there was second to none.