What are your rules (if any) re make up?

[autodidact]

My beautiful 11 year old is incredibly interested and steals and applies my make up at any opportunity. Do I ignore or advise or put rules in place or what?

I would let her 'play' with makeup but not wear it out except for special occasions perhaps. I'd probably let her wear it out from 13, based on my own experience. I was obsessed with playing with make up from quite an early age, about 8 I think. By the time I was 13 I was quite into music and "scenes" (new romantic at that time) so wanted to express myself with make up as well as my fashion choices. Mind you, it was the 80s and I am now a make up artist so the obsession paid off!

When I was 12 my mum took me to the clinique counter and got the lady to talk to me about skin care and how to apply makeup etc. She then bought me a range of stuff and told me that I could buy my own after that.
It was good as I listened to the woman (what teenager listens to their parents) and took her advice.

If she is at secondary school I would start letting her wear it. But a few gentle hints about not looking too orange or too overdone might be in order.

If she is still primary, I would say no. Bit arbitrary, but I think once they start at secondary the need to tread their own path and all that comes into play and you can't do that much to stop it.

I'd let her play but teach her about skincare and hygiene too as taught early will stand ger good for years to come. Let her know that less is more. May be start her with her own bits from somewhere like bodyshop or barbara daly at tesco.

I wouldn't allow/encourage it tbh, I know everyone's different but I can't imagine having been remotely interested in makeup at 11, never mind being allowed to wear it!

Having said that I never wear makeup myself even as an adult, and it's always seemed a bit of an odd and unnecessary thing to me. My mum never used it either, so I guess I never grew up thinking of it as something normal. So my perspective may not be the usual one!

Thanks, everyone. I feel in slightly uncharted territory as I too was supremely uninterested in make up at 11, as was my partner. I like wearing a little bit now though (he does not). The 11 year old concerned is actually a boy not a girl. Not sure if that makes a difference or not. He applies it pretty well- much less cack-handed than me. I'm also not sure what the school rules are on make up or whether it's something that might lead to him being teased. He seems pretty confident about it so far. Maybe he'll become a make-up artist like you, Havingkittens.:)

Oh gawd I remember being 12-13 and developing an interest in makeup... I looked a FRIGHT in red lipstick, badly applied mascara and my mum's dangliest earrings. How did nobody point and laugh at me!? Definitely advise :)

I don't think it makes a difference personally, either way if it was me I'd probably just say it's for grownups and he/she can wear it when older but not yet. Or if you prefer, allow it for dressing up and play etc, but not for school and everyday wear (would say the same for a girl at that age).

Wouldn't make a big thing of it being 'not for boys' (which it doesn't sound like you're doing anyway) and make up for men is becoming more mainstream these days anyway ('guyliner' etc)!

As for being teased, I tend to feel that other children can always find some characteristic to pick on if they want to tease/bully someone, the best thing you can do is encourage confidence and self-esteem. But if he would be wearing it for school, it might be worth finding out if they have different rules for boys (which would be silly and unfair IMO, but wouldn't be surprised if it was the case).

I agree about the skin care routine. Most important before she starts wearing make-up.

Maybe take her to a counter for her birthday/christmas where they can teach her appropriate techniques for young skin and maybe suggest some barely there colours that are good for her, for special occasions.

It's great if she can learn how to be well groomed (and develop an idea of what suits/doesn't suit her age) early on.

Goes for boys too!