Here's my philosophy on makeup:
Give your girls (and maybe guys) the right colors, teach them how to apply it, and encourage them.
I suspect we will see more and more young men wearing some form of makeup, whether it is called bronzing stick, self-tanner, or etc. And rimming their eyes with liner, possibly in ways you don't really know it, but it is there. They already use lip balm. It's only a small step to using a balm with some color. (Edward's lips bothered me in the Twilight film as they were so red. I wish they'd toned it down a bit.)
What if you don't want them to wear makeup
Well, you are probably reading the wrong blog.
My niece had a friend whose mom was a hair dresser, with access to every product. She forbade her daughter to wear makeup. I asked my niece: she's putting it on in school, isn't she? My niece said: how did you know?
I wasn't born yesterday.
Give your girls colors you no longer wear, for example, but let them have their own. They will either buy some and stash it at school or borrow their friends which is not sanitary. I would much rather give them their own than have them borrow someone's.
Tell them not to loan it to anyone or borrow anyone's. And tell them why. Be graphic if you need to be.
Remember, it's only makeup!
If you give them colors that are right for them, they are less likely to buy colors that clash.
OTOH, makeup is a fashion statement. They are only young once. Makeup washes off; it's not permanent. Let them experiment, within reason, or within the school dress codes.
They might look wonderful in Goth-ish makeup, toned down a little. Or in Gothic Lolita makeup, which is popular in Japan, bright wonderful colors that Aromaleigh has. Maybe you would look great in these colors too!
While you're at it, be sure they have good skin care
Start them early on skin care. This time of life sets the stage for later times. It may also mean they will have less skin problems that come with puberty, if they are cleansing properly.
How do you begin?
Experiment with what you have on hand to see what you like.
What if you don't know how to apply makeup on your child either because her eyes are different or you don't feel confident enough?
Go to one of the makeup counters and get her a makeover. If you aren't happy with one, get another one. Learn as you go. Do this periodically to keep both of your looks current.
A couple of years ago my daughter tried out a Clinique gloss in the store. We got it for her. It looked great. (Whisper.)
How's my 13 yo, who is from China, doing?
She is so cute! She is actively doing her own makeup now. And doing a darn good job of it too!
A couple of years ago or so, we experimented with doing her eyes. We learned that she can carry -- and needs -- an upper eye liner line of about 1/4 inch wide in order for it to be seen at all.
Then, a couple of weeks ago, she came home from a gf's house. Her gf's mom, who is gorgeous, had done both girls' makeup. She did my daughter's eyes with a wide liner, just as we had figured out earlier, and she looked absolutely beautiful. My girl told me that the other mom had once worked at a Clinique counter. She had given her some Clinique sample colors. I reminded my girl that we had figured out this liner a few years ago and that her friend's mom had done it correctly. I think this gave her some confidence.
When did she start wearing makeup? Approximately 3 weeks ago.
She said the other day that she has changed since spring break, because before sb she didn't wear any makeup, now she does her eyes and makeup every day. Many of the girls are wearing makeup now, but not necessarily doing it correctly, according to her. She feels comfortable wearing it, because others are. When she wasn't wearing it, she was afraid someone would notice or make comments or tease her. When she began to wear it, others noticed and complimented her. They were ready and so was she.
I had been encouraging her for a while, whenever she mentioned other girls who were wearing makeup. For about a week I did her makeup every morning. I told her she could try doing it herself on the weekend. Then one day she just took off trying it herself and she is getting better every day.
Asian makeup
Meantime there is a wonderful book about Asian makeup, which I have.
Additionally I continue to clip out adverts, etc. featuring Asian models and put them in this book, so my Chinese daughters can see various choices that look lovely.
The verdict
She is getting lots of compliments. We are doing her makeup in a natural manner except for her eyes.
I said to her: wasn't she glad she had a mom who loved makeup and would give her what she needed and tell her to go for it, rather than a mom who told her no, then she applied it secretly at school, LOL. I know her well enough to know that would really hurt her to think she had to be secretive.
Do you have a teen or tweener?
Do they wear makeup?
When did you begin to wear makeup?
I was somewhere around 13. Then at about age 15, in 10th grade, I went to modeling school and learned more techniques there. Eventually in my 20s I taught professional makeup as a hobby.
It has to start somewhere.
Did your mother encourage you?
My mother always wore lipstick and powder. She never changed her color of lippie, even if she changed brands. She never held me back.
Karin
Originally posted 2009-04-29 14:33:48.
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