Help protect children from gaming harms.

Take our survey

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Is 8 too young for beauty/styling?

57 replies

Kirstymcc99 · 28/08/2026 12:31

Need ideas for nearly 8 year old girls birthday present. She loved it a couple of weeks ago when I curled her hair with my straighteners. Is 8 too young for a proper curling?

OP posts:
wiredandtired · Today 08:41

Kirstymcc99 · Today 08:25

Thanks for the reality check! I'll keep thinking. She is currently saying she wants to be an artist when she is older so maybe something craft related.

Yes. Perfect.

FruAashild · Today 09:48

At 8 she's getting to the age where some decent quality grown up art materials will be treasured and looked after. A perfect suggestion.

Daftypants · Today 10:13

I’d probably go for the heatless curls set as a part of a birthday gift .
maybe some craft stuff and books too or Lego or whatever she is into .
my granny used to put our hair in rags to curl it when we stayed with her .

Mischance · Today 10:16

Give her a few more years of freedom to just be herself before funneling her down the tart yourself up route. Too young to be beauty conscious.

I have 3 DDs and the most they ever did was to paint their nails - usually a different colour for each!

NewHere83 · Today 10:23

Did her parents know you were using straighteners on her hair??

Hurrain · Today 10:24

Course it’s too young.

Mischance · Today 10:27

Get her some Brusho - and a spray water bottle. She will create some beautiful pictures with it and it is fun. It comes as little pots of crystalline powder paint. I always make a hole in the lid and shake it onto the paper, then spray with water.

Ditto Yupo paper (plastic paper and a bit expensive) and a few liquid water colour droppers and she can create fascinating pics by moving the paper around.

Also gel plates - you can put on Brusho or any paint, spray and then roller a piece of paper over it to make a print. You can also put leaves or flowers in the mix. Youtube it.

Also use very wet paint and let colours blend, then put the paper in the freezer and enjoy the exciting results! Or you can spread wrinkled up cling film over it and wait for it to dry and see the lovely patterns that appear.

The important thing if you choose to encourage her interest in art is that she is NOT required to produce an accurate picture of something (which she will not be able to do) as she will become discouraged by her results. She needs to explore colour and shape and have fun!

New posts on this thread. Refresh page