Make Up

[alexsdad]

DD is just turning 13 and has started using make-up on a daily basis. She claims her face goes red in school which embarrasses her, so he applies (sorry - man here, so terminology may be off) foundation/blusher type of stuff.

I acknowledge that whilst I think she looks a lot prettier without (and have told her that numerous times) she is going to do this. However, IMO the amount/style she does it makes her look like a slapper is overdone.

Does anyone know of anywhere which teaches young teenages how to put on this sort of stuff without going overboard? I know certain make-up companies will do 'makeovers' for special occasions, but that's the sort of look I would like her to avoid! Just how to apply the stuff on a daily basis without looking as if I've been giving her face a go-over with a trowel and polyfilla.

HELP!!

Wish this thing had an edit...

she applies

the "slapper" comment was supposed to be on strikethrough
teenagers

and most
polyfiller

It is polyfilla I think

Take her to the No 7 counter in Boots and ask them to make her up for a very simple daytime look and specify tinted moisturiser (not foundation), blusher and clear mascara.

Say you want it to be simple and easy to apply.

And she's bullshitting you about her face going red - no foundation covers embarassment, it's far more likely she wants to wear make-up to fit in with her friends.

Check what the school policy on make-up is as well - ours specifies no nail varnish for example.

Why not take her into a department store or Boots. The girls at the make up counter will do her make up for her and show her some techniques. It would be advisable for you both to have a chat before you do this so that you are both asking for a demonstration of the same thing - a natural look.

It might cost you though because she will then really need to buy the shades as demonstrated - assuming they look good! Good luck with that...

Lots of dd's classmates in yr 8 slap it on with a trowel.
Luckily dd is not interested, although she does wear a bit of mascara which I have no problem with.
Agree with tnc about wanting to fit in with friends- and nothing wrong with that, but she needs to do it properly and in an appropriate way.
Bobbi Brown are excellent (if pricy) but do very neutral stuff and free make up lessons. Maybe book her and a friend in? You'd be dad of the year

Losing battle, imo. They eventually twig for themselves, but the pancake mask is a rite of passage, I reckon.

whereabouts do you live? If anywhere near Shefield I can recommend someone who does makeup lessons, and has a teenager daughter herself.

If Sheffield no good, she may have a contact for another independent elsewhere she could recommend if you want to give a vague area?

Thank you all for your rapid responses! I like the sound of the Bobbi Brown thing (thank you google - I'd never heard of them). There are a couple of "studios" in our nearest big town, and we owe her a treat so if I took her and friend that may kill several birds.

I do like the Boots idea as well, but wonder how much time they would have on a Saturday to do something like this? I also feel the idea of going somewhere special might be more influential on getting her to tone it down - and then perhaps move to (I'm sure) less expensive Boots stuff later - fat chance, I know!

And also thanks for the comments on the red face and peer pressure stuff. Very useful to get comments from others on this. You often think you might be being taken for a ride, but are often not entirely sure!

deaddei's idea of booking a makeup tutorial for her and a friend at a bobbi brown counter is an excellent idea.

Panda - Sheffield would work! We're in the Peak District.

And BoF - thank you! Perhaps I am over-reacting to this a little bit and should just let it ride?

Quick question - how much would I likely have to shell out for this bobbi brown stuff?

Emm, a tinted moisteriser is about £25 I think.
But they do lovely lipglosses and things like that. Hopefully the girl will say her skin is so lovely it would be a shame to cover it up, thus saving you lots
Suggest to dd if she does well in end of term exams you'll bring her back- nothing like a bit of bribery.
BB also do lovely books on teenage beauty/skincare- that would be a nice gift.
You sound like a lovely dad...are you tall and live near SW LOndon

All good suggestions here.

If her face flushing is a genuine problem then you can get cream to camouflage redness - they have a green base to them which conteracts the redness.

I think you have to be careful not to overdo the amount, otherwise you can look like the incredible hulk!

But it can go on under a light foundation. Or use a buff-on-with-a-brush mineral green coloured powder under a mineral powder foundation - looks very natural.

Thank you all for some great tips. Books sound good. There don't seem to be teenage specific books on the website, but I will investigate more.

Green? Good grief. I think it's a good job us men don't normally delve into this sort of thing! Thanks for the tip. Imagine how knowlegable I am going to be able to sound . "ooh look, you're blushing. Put green on!"

I like the idea of promising a 2nd trip after exams as well. That may work well (dons flameproof suit though as I know many on here disagree with the idea of rewards).

And thank for the complement, deaddei. . Married, Peak District and overweight, I'm afraid! (DW just isn't concerned/into this make-up thing, so I thought I'd do some independent research)

Ah well
Will have to check out BeenBeta

This book: Be Beautiful is great. Aimed at teenagers, full of sensible advice, I thoroughly recommend it.

It's a phase though, we all went through the thick layer of orange warpaint phase - usually the makeup would stop a cm from the hairline/jawline too, and in my case was accompanied by my older sisters frosted eyeshadow and an ill advised amount of black eyeliner. But it wasn't long til I toned it down to a normal amount!

I wouldn't get duped into buying £100 worth of fancy makeup for a 13 yr old just because you don't know how much it should cost, she can get tinted moisturiser etc on the highstreet for just a few quid.

I took my DD to the Benefit counter and agreed I would buy her ONE item, in future it would be her money.

They made her up subtly and seemed to get through to her that she didn't need much and she's been much less orange since partly helped by the expense.

Deaddei is right, tell your DW she's very lucky!

FrogPrincess Thank you! That looks great. And deaddei - I've found the teenage book on amazon.
TFMC - Less Orange. Exactly what I am trying to achieve and it makes me think this might just work

So, I think I've a plan.

DDs birthday is in about 3 weeks. I'll buy these books and give them to her, with a "token" for me to take her and best friend to bobbi brown for a makeover, and then let them have lunch in town together somewhere together whilst I go and luxuriate in a mooch round a decent bookshop!

Win/win/win!

Many thanks to you all for your time, help and kind words.

Your DD and her lucky friend will be v pleased with you I think, great birthday ideas

god i would have loved that as a b'dya presetn at that age
well would still love now it actually

Just come across this thread. What a nice daddy you are

Well, seeing as how this has been bumped (thank you oxo) I thought I would give a report.

Went downtown to Bobbi Brown () last Saturday, and DD + friend were very happy - as was I. The staff were extremely friendly and took a lot of time - about 45 min - over them. Apparently gave them lots of hints and techniques. I was very pleasantly surprised. It had been a bit difficult booking the time slot we wanted, and so I thought it all might be a bit rushed. But not at all. And I was able to slope off for a nice coffee, rather than hanging out in the make-up department looking somewhat suspicious!

No pressure to buy stuff, though we did do. Given this was an alternative to a party, we felt we would have probably spent about £100 on something and so offered DD the choice of how to spend that much. I was very pleased (proud dad) that she straight away said to split it with her friend. So they both got 3 items (came to a little over £100, but there was a £5 each discount so that helped).

Offered to take them to a restraunt and leave them, but they wanted me to come along as well - so we went to a 'real' place (rather than a chain type) - and had a wonderfully adult meal.

Not that I didn't like them, but what a huge relaxing change to the birthdays or earlier years, hiring out halls and trying to provide food and entertainment for 30 active kids, most of whom would eat nothing but crisps!

And the outcome? Well, it's early days yet - but the improvement is noticable. Much less orange, and almost un-noticable. She's reading the book at the moemnt so there may be even further room for 'improvement'.

Many thanks to one and all for your help. I would absolutely recommend it.

Sounds fabulous (no I'm not stalking!!). I know what you mean about the parties tho - much nicer when they opt for nice restaurant over MCDonalds

Your un-tangoed daughter sounds lovely and a credit to you. Glad she had such a nice day.

How fab, thanks for reporting back, I'll be stealing your idea in a couple of years' time I think.....