Wednesday, August 13, 2008

What do you think?

I'd like to hear what you think. At what age do you think it is appropriate for a girl to begin wearing make-up? Emma isn't asking (yet) but I saw a girl the other day, who is the same age as Emma, wearing make-up; eye liner, eye shadow, mascara, blush and lipstick. I was a little caught off guard and it's really got me thinking, at what age should Emma begin? At what age did you begin wearing makeup? I was such a tomboy, I had no desire to wear it until I was about 13.
I can't wait to hear what you think about this subject.

Update- My grandmother is steadily improving. She's out of ICU and will probably begin some physical therapy soon. A full week in the bed can do a number on an 83 yr. old body! Please continue to pray for her and I'd like to ask you to pray for my grandfather as well. He is in the beginning stages of dementia and this past week has been confusing for him. Yesterday, he knew that my grandmother was in the hospital but he thought she was having a baby. (I know we shouldn't laugh, but it's either laugh or cry and I choose to laugh!) To give you a taste of my grandmother's personality, when he asked her (on the phone)last night if she had had the baby. She told him,

"Yes, I had triplets!"

Have a great day!

16 thoughts from Y*O*U:

Kristin Puckett (Collins) said...

I was allowed to wear lip gloss and blush in 6th, but not the rest until 7th. Emma is so pretty, she will be one of the lucky ones who won't need make-up.

Natalie said...

Ooooo...tough one. I remember having my "play" makeup my mom would let me wear at home, not in public. I was about 9 or 10 years old.

When I was in 6th or 7th grade, I remember mom letting me wear chapstick or clear lipgloss as "lipstick" which I kept in my purse, of course.

I don't think it was until high school I wore mascara and Mom knew a beautician that came over to teach me how to "use" makeup...the less the better.

Jennifer said...

My parents let me where lipgloss and maybe a LITTLE eyeshadow when I was probably ten, but I was thirteen when I really started wearing it.

Susan and Lee said...

THat is tough. I am glad I don't have a girl sometimes. I wore eyeliner and I think mascara when I was in the 6th grade. Of course I had blonde eye lashes so I looked much better with some color. When I was teaching, I would laugh because when my old students began the 6th grade, they all had major make up faces.

I had to laugh at your comment about your grandfather. Mine has Alzheimers. My mom always says the same thing you said. YOu have to laugh sometimes.

glad to hear your grandmother is getting better.

Amanda Jo said...

Ok this is sad, I didn't start really wearing makeup until I graduated from high school. I was way too much of a tomboy to worry about that kind of stuff, besides, I had to get to school early to flirt with the boys - no time for make up.

If I can help at all, about 7 years ago I worked as an activity director for an alzheimer's home. E-mail me if you have any questions or anything, I'm no expert but I have experience. I'll continue to lift your family up!

Mocha with Linda said...

My mom was waaaaay too conservative and wouldn't let me wear it 'til I was 16 (of course I'm old!). But it kills me to see elementary school girls wearing it. I think 8th grade is plenty early, and even then it needs to be light, minimal, & tasteful.

Fortunately, I do see a lot of girls at our church that aren't quite as obsessed with the makeup. I was really pleased on the mission trip how many of them were comfy being totally natural around the guys.

Cindy-Still His Girl said...

Tough stuff. Right now my 6th grader isn't interested. I'd let her wear lipgloss and maybe blush if she wanted. Then mascara will probably come next at 7th or 8th. But eyeshadow? I think that is where it all goes wrong. We'll be waiting a while there! :)

Tammy said...

I have to agree with all the moms saying this is a tough one! We have friends already dabbling in this and I have yet to go beyond the lipgloss. My babygirl is in 7th grade and I would probably let her wear some light blush or powder and possibly some clear mascara (oh, yes they make this), but I am putting even these little things off as long as I can. I'll wait til she is really pressing to do so. Thanksfully she isn't that interested or persistent about it yet. Why do they have to grow up so fast???? (booo...hoooo) :(

Nana said...

Cheryl, first of all I laughed out loud when I read Grandma's reply to granddaddy's question. You're right you choose to laugh or cry.

Second, once you start wearing makeup, you have the rest of your life to wear it, which is much longer than when you didn't wear it. So many girls have natural beauty that is hidden under all the make up. At 13 I took my girls to Rich's and had a make over done for them in the cosmetic department using items and colors for a 13 year old. No foundation, they put a very light color lip gloss and a very light color blush and eye shadow on them. Then I bought these items for them and that is what they used until they got on up in high school. I always told them they had God given natual beauty and did not need more. So to answer your question I think a girl should be 13 years old and the make-up she wears should not make her look older than 13.
Call me old fashion, but if you let them look older, they are treated older.
Emma has natural beauty, don't let her hide it.

Cassandra said...

I agree with everyone here. Minimal makeup. My daughter has not asked yet either, but I notice other girls already wearing and i have wondered when I would say ok. I could only wear light lip gloss until I was 13. I didnt wear foundation until 10th grade I think....well whenever the acne and zits came along. I think mom, out of sympathy, let me try to cover them. :)

Mindy said...

I have to say this is a toughy.....one I don't look forward to with my girls.
I think I had to be 12 to wear makeup.....and personally - I think 12/ 6th grade is probably a good place to start....and even then I don't think that I wore eye liner until I was in highschool.
And I agree with everyone else that it should be gradual....not all at once.
Just my opinion and we will see how it goes when my girls get older, too.

BethAnne said...

I started wearing mascara and a little blush and some lip gloss in 6th grade - and I do mean a little - my dad freaked if we wore what he called too much. When I was in 7th grade, I started wearing the rest but still not too much. My mom had a Mary Kay lady come over and do my makeup and show me how to clean my face and apply the make up. It was always a rule that if I got to wear makeup, then I had to remove it before bed and that lesson has stuck with me. With the exception of a couple of times in college, I have NEVER gone to bed with makeup on. Glad I dont have to worry about this stuff ---- girl stuff is hard!

Sonya Lee Thompson said...

Hello there, I'm coming over from Jennifer's blog.

I didn't start wearing makeup until I was 13. Sounds like the ideal age here.

One suggestion, when your daughter is ready (and you approve) take her to have a makeover by someone reputable. This way you can be sure she will wear it appropriately. I hate to see young girls with gobs of makeup on.

It was nice meeting you here.

12-arrows said...

I found your blog through someone elses and this post totally caught my eye. I had 9 boys before I had a girl, she is now 10, and I am so not pushing any make up. I just want her to enjoy her life as a young girl. She does use some sparkly chap stick from bath and body, but thats all and she is just fine with that. They have such pretty faces and complexions that there is no need to cover it with "stuff", because it won't be long and puberty will hit and the dreaded "pimples" come. . . .make-up and pimples. UGH!

Fran said...

Hey girl...
First of all...so glad that your grandmother is doing well. Praying for her this morning.

And...I think 6th grade is fine to start wearing something. I don't have girls but I can't imagine it being earlier than that.

Have a great rest of the weekend!
Hugs,
Fran

Anonymous said...

I think I was probably 10 or 11 when I got my first compact of very light blush. 8th grade came light eye shadow. And, everything else came in the 10th grade. Of course, i would sneak my mascara and eye-liner to school in the 9th. My mom was way strict on this stuff. It seems more acceptable these days for young girls to wear the whole meal deal. I have NO advice. Sorry. I'm still trying to keep my 3 year old from breaking my make-up!