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Original poster

Make up starter kit for an 11 year old- suggestions?

37 replies

Ohthere · 04/12/2023 05:38

I’m rubbish at make up myself but my daughter enjoys watching tutorials and trying stuff out. What would you recommend as a Christmas present? Which ‘bits’ will she want and are there any brands you’d recommend for that age that won’t break the bank?

OP posts:
sugarandsweetener · 04/12/2023 06:02

i’d go to the body shop and buy her a couple of lip glosses and a super gentle face mask

Luddite26 · 04/12/2023 06:11

I'm a bit out of touch with this sort of thing so don't know why I'm answering! It was Boots 17 for us - Twilight Teaser!
I would head to Boots as especially at this time of year they have beauty boxes.
I was in Primark for the first time in about 15 years on Saturday and noticed they had all sorts of masks and make up blending sponges false lashes etc. looked like a lot of fun products.
But I would be wary of causing allergic reactions by buying cheaper products. And cruelty free would hopefully be on the agenda I would have to look for the bunny.
Also important to set the basic standard of cleanse tone and moisturise and maybe a gentle scrub.
Just my opinion and depends what you are after!

Nannyfannybanny · 04/12/2023 06:17

Suggestion! An 11 year old should not be wearing makeup. Help and advice on skincare, yes, depending on,greasy skin, spots, dryness. Even for these, very gentle unperformed products.

Nannyfannybanny · 04/12/2023 06:19

Blasted pre-empt:: unperfumed!!

FizzyLaser · 04/12/2023 06:19

Nannyfannybanny · 04/12/2023 06:17

Suggestion! An 11 year old should not be wearing makeup. Help and advice on skincare, yes, depending on,greasy skin, spots, dryness. Even for these, very gentle unperformed products.

That’s helpful

AbsolutelyNebulous · 04/12/2023 06:29

When DD was @ 11 and getting interested in makeup I got her an eyeshadow palette, some brushes and mascara. I wanted to hold off on the foundation, bronzer, contouring and whatnot as I just felt 11 was a bit young for all that.

Revolution do very affordable palettes and their Forever Flawless ones are pretty good for the price. For brushes I’d say Eco Tools or Real Techniques which are often on offer in Boots or online. Add some gentle eye makeup remover and pads so she gets in the habit of taking it off rather than sleeping in it. Her skin and your pillow cases will thank you Smile!

kenyaswhiterefrigerator · 04/12/2023 06:49

Bobbi Brown could advise on a natural 'polished' look for a young teen.

Perhaps take her to the counter for a make up lesson as a treat.

Original poster
Ohthere · 04/12/2023 06:56

Nannyfannybanny · 04/12/2023 06:17

Suggestion! An 11 year old should not be wearing makeup. Help and advice on skincare, yes, depending on,greasy skin, spots, dryness. Even for these, very gentle unperformed products.

Just to clarify: it’s more for ‘playing’ in the house, she’s not allowed to wear make up outside! But I’m quite happy for her to learn so she can teach me😂

OP posts:
rolsete · 04/12/2023 06:56

I've just bought mine a mascara from Clinique which I know is good for sensitive eyes, and a vaseline tinted lip balm. I also want to pick up a natural blush but that's as far as I'm going with it at this age. It's more than enough. And the only reason I've bought this is because she's been going into my stuff and trying my mascara and blush so now is the right time for her.

Original poster
Ohthere · 04/12/2023 06:58

kenyaswhiterefrigerator · 04/12/2023 06:49

Bobbi Brown could advise on a natural 'polished' look for a young teen.

Perhaps take her to the counter for a make up lesson as a treat.

She’d probably find that a bit intimidating at the moment (or perhaps I’m projecting: I’d definitely find it intimidating!😂)

OP posts:
Mumtime2 · 04/12/2023 06:59

I bought a gel mask face cleaning kit.
I suggest lip gloss, eye shadows of a suitable shade, some come in really cute compacts, lip sticks, face mask,, many come in fruit sents
Nice make up brushes, make-up bag or purse.
Now days the selections amazing..
Go for a young person's brand and keep it more natural looking?

wideawakeinthemiddleofthenightagain · 04/12/2023 07:04

DD asked for some make up for Xmas in Yr7 as many of her friends were wearing lip gloss and clear mascara to school. I got her a few bits for her stocking from the Revolution range in Superdrug and then we went together after Christmas with some money she'd been gifted and chose a few more bits together. It's all about experimenting at this age and working out what works for you so I wanted to go at a price point where it didn't matter too much if she discarded some items.
It was also an opportunity to introduce her to a skin care regime. I chose Simple as it was on offer the day I was in Superdrug and then got her various cloths in Primark.

ErnestCelendine · 04/12/2023 07:05

13yo DD likes Revolution, Elf and MUA, all often available at Superdrug. She has asked for the MUA metamorphosis lip and cheek oil, Elf monochromatic stick (for lips, eyes and cheek) and the Maybelline skyhigh mascara if that helps.

She has a load of make up and is great at applying it from YouTube videos and from years of dancing where a full face is required at her shows/comps 🙄

Nannyfannybanny · 04/12/2023 08:05

She's not a young teen, clue is in the word, thirteen. Just had my grandaughter to stay the weekend. (She's 14)She loves to wear makeup, but doesn't remove it! Bad for her skin bad for my linen!Her DM got her makeup lessons from me (I was modelling in my teens) and kept up to date with techniques and products,as your skin changes,by going on college courses.

Lovethatforyouhun · 04/12/2023 08:37

I would be very careful if it was my daughter and research the brands. Definitely NOT Revolution. A brand that doesn't have parabens and pfas.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64192516.amp

A woman applies mascara to her eyelashes

'Forever chemicals' still in use in UK make-up - BBC News

PFAS substances linked with cancer discovered in UK cosmetics on day EU sets out to ban them.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-64192516.amp

learieonthewildmoor · 04/12/2023 12:18

You can buy aloe gel mascara that doubles as a brow gel.
Morphe and colorpop make cheap eyeshadow palettes that she could have fun experimenting with.
Rom&nd (Korean brand) makes lovely lip tints and glosses that are cheap and good quality.

Lavender14 · 04/12/2023 12:27

I don't think you need expensive products. Elf has some brilliant products and they won't break the bank either. So I'd get a few bits from them for her. You could look into cult classic products that are reasonably priced and build up a wee collection using that. Thinking like rimmel concealer stick, maybelline mascara, elf brow pencil and primer etc etc.

When my dn was starting to get really interested in makeup my ds got her a natural make up lesson with a local makeup artist all focused on how to enhance natural beauty and apply well etc. So might be an option? She definitely does a million miles better than I did applying makeup at the same age thanks to it!

Lavender14 · 04/12/2023 12:28

I would also focus on skincare and maybe get her a wee skincare set to help her get into the habit of removing any makeup she does wear.

Original poster
Ohthere · 04/12/2023 12:38

Lavender14 · 04/12/2023 12:28

I would also focus on skincare and maybe get her a wee skincare set to help her get into the habit of removing any makeup she does wear.

Yes that’s also on the Christmas list? Yesterday she was using her colouring pencils (the ones for drawing iyswim) to do her eye make up, which really doesn’t seem like a good idea! So I suppose my question is partly what brands are recommended for such young skin, and partly what is she going to need in order to copy the make up in these tutorials (to avoid her improvising with random things she finds in the house!). I don’t have any worries about her not cleansing her skin afterwards as she’s already keen on the whole procedure. I hadn’t even thought of eye pencils so I’m wondering, for those who do that sort of thing, what’s the essential equipment? Eye pencil, lip pencil, lipstick, eye shadow…what else? Again, she will not be leaving the house!

OP posts:
Daisies12 · 04/12/2023 12:42

Body shop have nice products

ChristmasBaublesandMore · 04/12/2023 12:47

IMO 11 is too young.

Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear.

I just hate to see very young girls wearing make up.
It's sexualising them and making them super conscious of their looks for too soon.

If anything, some slightly coloured lip balm for cold weather might be nice, without being OTT.

ChristmasBaublesandMore · 04/12/2023 12:49

Ohthere · 04/12/2023 12:38

Yes that’s also on the Christmas list? Yesterday she was using her colouring pencils (the ones for drawing iyswim) to do her eye make up, which really doesn’t seem like a good idea! So I suppose my question is partly what brands are recommended for such young skin, and partly what is she going to need in order to copy the make up in these tutorials (to avoid her improvising with random things she finds in the house!). I don’t have any worries about her not cleansing her skin afterwards as she’s already keen on the whole procedure. I hadn’t even thought of eye pencils so I’m wondering, for those who do that sort of thing, what’s the essential equipment? Eye pencil, lip pencil, lipstick, eye shadow…what else? Again, she will not be leaving the house!

Show quote history

Why are you encouraging her, rather than suggesting she waits a couple of years?

An 11 year old doing her eyes and lips is just ridiculous.

There are no brands aimed at 11 year old children.

Maybe that tells you something?

ChristmasBaublesandMore · 04/12/2023 12:50

kenyaswhiterefrigerator · 04/12/2023 06:49

Bobbi Brown could advise on a natural 'polished' look for a young teen.

Perhaps take her to the counter for a make up lesson as a treat.

Is this meant to be a joke?

Bobbi Brown is not for 11 year olds.

She's not a teen, young or old!

IsItOverYetAndCanIComeOutNow · 04/12/2023 12:55

Agree that Revolution are a good starting point. Cheap and cheerful. I’d go for eyeshadow pallet, blusher pallet, a lip gloss and some brushes.

Caroline Hirons has just launched a skin care range for tweens - designed with no active ingredients etc.

OhHowTheDogsStackUp · 04/12/2023 12:55

I'd get a liquid eyeliner. She will probably enjoy practicing with that. And if she's not leaving the house, even better because no doubt she'll end up with wings bigger than the sun to start with.

I like the Rimmel Exaggerate one. It's only a fiver-ish.

Plus it's good practice for getting all your makeup off.