The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
When is it time to let teens wear make up?
With an insistent tweenage daughter, Claire Spreadbury speaks to an expert about when it’s OK for beauty rituals to begin
Children seem to grow up so fast. Parents have been saying that for decades – but in 2020, when kids are so grown-up they’re leading the climate change movement, running a hectic social life and constantly surrounded by imagery on TV, social media and the internet, wanting to look a certain way can start seeming important at a young age. I remember my eldest, Rosie, gasping at a pair of red patent Mary Janes at the age of four. And when my youngest, Poppy – now seven – was allowed to wear blusher for her Christmas gymnastics stage show, she gazed lovingly at her reflection as she told me how “adorable” she thought she looked.
Rosie is now 10, and desperate to have her own make-up. I’ve been struggling with the requests for a few months now, repeatedly telling her how beautiful she is without it but, apparently, she tells me, “everyone” else has products of their own. One friend felt so sorry for her, she gave her a manky old used concealer stick as a “present”, which was kept hidden away in Rosie’s bedroom, until Pops grassed her up and I threw it in the bin...
So, is it time to succumb? Should I let her have a little make-up stash of her own, or tell her to stop asking until she’s a proper teenager?
“From the moment we first glimpse a glamorous woman carefully applying her lipstick, most of us know it’s something we want to try sooner rather than later,” says make-up artist and mum-of-two, Susan Fox. “But when is the right time to join in the age-old ritual of wearing make-up? The truth is, there is no hard-and-fast rule,” she notes, adding that teens and tweens all develop differently and what fits for one might not for another.
“From the age of 11 or 12, most teenagers are already using gloss, concealer and mascara,” says Fox. “And in the fast-paced world we live in, with so much emphasis on beauty and a myriad of YouTube tutorials at their fingertips, it’s hardly surprising teenagers often look way older than they are.
“I know every generation has gone through this, but we’re now faced with kids who have better knowledge, better products, and much better skills than we ever had. However, I do believe makeup before the age of 12 should be reserved for Halloween and dress-up games. It is so important to allow our children to enjoy the freedom of childhood.”
STARTING OUT
When your children want to start wearing make-up, it’s really important to talk to them. Ask them about it – what do they like about make-up, and why do they want to start wearing it?
If you don’t feel comfortable with them wearing anything too grown-up, you could compromise. Giving them a make-up bag containing tinted lip balm, some face and body moisturiser, and a brow and lash gel might make them incredibly happy, but will barely be noticeable to anyone else.
DON’T LET MAKE-UP BECOME A MASK
As parents, it’s important to guide our kids, while at the same time not taking away their creativity and confidence, says Fox.
“Being a make-up artist, I wanted to let my girls enjoy makeup, and when they insisted on using the black eyeliner on the inside of the eye waterline, I left them to it – only to be asked a year later why I let them out like that! Trial and error, ladies!”
Do instil body confidence in your children whenever you can. Some may wear make-up because they’re not happy with themselves.
“There is no doubt make-up can give confidence when a little extra is needed,” notes Fox. “However, when it starts to become a mask, or hours are being taken to apply it every day, then it might be a good idea to have a chat and make sure there are no other issues going on.
“Get the inner beauty going on, and the outer beauty will be so much more fun. Make-up is a lifestyle choice. No one has to wear it. It’s really good for our skin to have make-up-free days too – not only to allow our skin to breathe, but also so we can be happy with the way we look naturally.”
TEEN-FRIENDLY MAKE-UP BRANDS
Fox lists NYX as “a great affordable range, full of loads of colours”, while “Catrice is a budget-friendly option, with super products and fantastic choice”.
She also rates Barry M (especially for foundation) and Urban Decay (“It’s a bit more expensive, but their products really work well and their range is superb”). You could pop along to a makeup shop or counter as well. Many offer makeover sessions, to help teach teens how to apply make-up, while recommending products appropriate for their age, skin type and colourings.