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Original poster

Buying make up for 4 year old

73 replies

hoomama · 25/12/2021 21:39

Is it really that bad to buy make up for a 4 year old? Just the little kid sets that have "lip gloss" in them but it's just a coloured lip balm that doesn't actually show any colour and some eyeshadows.

I was going to buy my Daughter a set as she likes to put my make up on when dressing up at home and she asked for one.

MIL then asked what she could buy for Daughter for Xmas. I sent her pics of all of the things I was thinking of getting for her and she chose a few items to buy. One of them was the make up set. Come Xmas and there wasn't a make up set in the presents off her. I thought maybe she'd just forgotten.

Turns out my Mum had bought her one. When I saw MIL in the evening, my Daughter got her make up kit out to show her and she looked horrified but she tried to style it out as best she could.

Is it really that bad to buy her a make up set?? I wasn't going to cover her in make up and take her shopping or anything! It is just for the house and when she dresses up etc. she's very girly and loves stuff like that.

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APerfectSky · 25/12/2021 21:42

My mil tried to give my DD a make up set when she was 4. Dd had been to stay and mil had slipped it into her bag when she was leaving. I saw it before we left and left it on the side and no more was ever said.

Personally, I hate young children with make up, it's just so unnecessary, but mil has pushed it ever since she was tiny, despite knowing our views on it and it's really irritating.

I'm with your mil in this one I'm afraid. There's plenty of time for all that, no 4 year old need to look like she's years older. Also, what kind of message is that sending her?

Haudyourwheesht · 25/12/2021 21:45

I wouldn't. There's plenty of time for them to develop an awareness that the world doesn't like naked female faces.

Onatree · 25/12/2021 21:48

I absolutely will resist this with DD and DS as long as I possibly can

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Original poster
hoomama · 25/12/2021 21:50

@APerfectSky I don't think that it is sending any message to her - she just likes to dress up. In the same way that she likes to put face paint on? I don't push her to put make up on & I very rarely put full make up on myself so it's not like I'm saying she has to wear make up to be beautiful or anything.

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mummyh2016 · 25/12/2021 21:52

OP my then 3 year old asked for one last year which I got her, like you say just a coloured lip balm one, think it was a frozen one. She's 4 now and drives me mad to paint her nails so this year she's had nail varnishes. I wear make up most days, she's not blind and sees me do it. When she played with the make up set last year it was wiped straight off her face when she was finished, I can't really see the issue.

AppleButterfly · 25/12/2021 21:53

I'm not sure I'd buy them makeup until older. But then again I don't wear it myself!
My 4&5 year olds loved the nail polish in their stockings though and quite delighted to have their nails in their favourite colours. One was red, which my understanding isnt for young children, they're meant to have the palest shade of pink.... I'd also let a boy wear it too. I used to dislike it on children but they are so happy with their nails in their favourite colours.
I suppose if she has fun with it, I guess why not? Although I think it sends a worse message to only let her wear it inside the house.

Luredbyapomegranate · 25/12/2021 21:54

There are worse things, but personally I’d get her some face paints and encourage her to get creative.

Endofdaysarehere · 25/12/2021 21:57

I will also be resisting this for as long as possible. It makes my heart sad to see little girls dressing up to be older.
I need make up because I’m a withered old hag. My daughter is so beautiful she cannot be improved with shiny lips and eyeshadow.

When she asks I tell her she is too beautiful for make up. There is so much time for all that.

NellieBertram · 25/12/2021 21:58

My 4 year old also loves make up and face painting and got a disney princess make up kit this year.
She has some little nail varnishes too.

I can't see a problem really but some people don't like it.

SpiderFluff · 25/12/2021 22:03

I'm sorry I think its terrible. Kids are under so much pressure with their appearance these days. One of my DSC made me so sad by being cruel about a friend who clearly didn't know how to apply lipstick.

AnotherMansCause · 25/12/2021 22:03

We bought makeup for DD from about age 4, she's nearly 10 now. She's allergic to face paint, we got her the brightly coloured cheap eyeshadow sets, coloured eyeliners etc. She could paint herself up as a tiger, a clown, do camouflage, draw fairies etc on her face, whatever. Some of them were glittery, neon etc. Easy to remove & she's not allergic. No nail polish, mascara etc though, it's basically just face paint. A couple of her friends are starting to get interested in makeup now & she's not bothered, I think partly because she's always had it.

I don't really wear makeup myself. Dab of concealer occasionally if I get a spot.

SuperSleepyBaby · 25/12/2021 22:03

My 3 and 5 yr olds love make up! They mess about with it - do a terrible job - eyeshadow on their foreheads! Then we wipe it off. Its just a game for them. They also like lego, jigsaws etc.

ChrissyPlummer · 25/12/2021 22:11

I had a set when I was about 7/8 - the Tinkerbell one; TBH I just liked peeling the nail varnish off Grin.

Hello606 · 25/12/2021 22:14

It’s not like you’re buying her foundation and fake eyelashes! It’s a bit of fun for her, it’s fine

LoveFall · 25/12/2021 22:15

My granddaughters (x3) have all loved nail polishes for some reason, even as young as 4. They loved putting polish on as an activity together, even doing up Daddy, who was a good sport.

None of them have become makeup obsessed or girly girl, although the 16 year old is quite good at doing her nails and some makeup. But she wants to be a mathematician. Go figure.

Nahhh · 25/12/2021 22:19

My girls love a bit of make up. They don’t wear it like a grown woman would because they don’t have a clue what they’re doing, it’s just another part of dressing up for them.

They also have to wear full stage make up for their dance shows so they can’t be completely make up free.

Happenchance · 25/12/2021 22:19

I would delay her interest in makeup as long as possible. She doesn’t need it and the application and removal of it will actually age her skin more than if she didn’t wear it.

Alonelonelylonersbadidea · 25/12/2021 22:19

All my kids loved make up. It's just face paint.

I loved loved loved the stuff as a kid.
I also loved Barbie and thought enormous boobs were awesome.
I am a female company director, a qualified lawyer, earn a tonne and have lots of male employees who respect me. And I don't wear make up.

They're kids. It's dressing up.

SarahWoodruff · 25/12/2021 22:21

Yes, I think it's unfortunate to encourage children to 'play' with make-up. 4 year olds aren't idiots, it's not lost on them that the idea of make-up is to make you prettier and giving them make-up as a toy reinforces the idea that girls should spend their time making themselves prettier. Those messages are everywhere around them, so to my mind parents should try as hard as possible to counteract them, not give them implied legitimacy. Think I'll be sticking with Lego.

FrancescaContini · 25/12/2021 22:21

Yep
It’s fucking dreadful
I really really judge parents who do this

Wolfiefan · 25/12/2021 22:24

She doesn’t need to paint herself to look older or more beautiful. I wouldn’t.

Livpool · 25/12/2021 22:27

I used to have presents like this when I was 4 - 41 now - and haven't turned into a delinquent! It was just another form of play to me. My DM has never wore much make up but I (still do!) loved it

riotlady · 25/12/2021 22:35

My DD is 3.5, she has nail varnish and just got some kiddies makeup for Christmas from her great granny. It’s just exciting for them to paint their faces I think, I don’t wear makeup often but when I do she loves playing with the brushes. Doesn’t bother me

RestingPandaFace · 25/12/2021 22:38

I personally wouldn’t but I wouldn’t judge either.

cherrytopcake · 25/12/2021 22:39

Don't see the problem OP. For kids it's just a bit of fun, and like with everything, the more you ban/not allow things, the more kids want them, and make up becomes a bigger deal than it has to be. It's not like she's going to the shops or play dates with it on. It's just for playing around the house. Let her be who she wants to be! Who are these parents trying to control and direct their kids... at 4 years old she doesn't understand why make up can be bad. Kids see fun and simplicity. It's us adults who are projecting our views of make up (often bad) and fear of judgement that is the problem.