What Age Should Girls Start Wearing Makeup? A Guide for Parents

So, you want to know what age girls should start wearing makeup? It’s all about the timing and having fun. Girls between 6 and 10 should only wear playful, non-toxic options like glittery lip gloss or nail polish. From 11 to 13, it should be light and natural choices like lip balm and mascara. Finally, from age 14 and over, they can wear foundation and eyeliner. Parents should ensure girls feel safe about their looks and teach them proper skincare and how to have confidence. Makeup should be a tool to express themselves and celebrate their uniqueness, not hide their false insecurities.

Parents with daughters have a lot on their minds when they are raising them, from how to talk about puberty to who they can date or not. Another common concern mothers have about their daughters is figuring out when to discuss at what age should girls start wearing makeup.

The answer depends on several factors, mainly the type of makeup girls want to wear. To start, girls under 16 shouldn’t wear makeup, and only those above 16 should experiment with advanced stuff.

In more detail, we will discuss the conversation you should have with your girls about makeup. We will cover the basics of makeup so you can have a proper conversation. We will discuss the ages, the factors to consider, and how parents can better guide their daughters in using makeup.

Understanding the Basics: Makeup and Kids’ Fashion

Before discussing at what age should girls start wearing makeup, we need to cover the importance of makeup. Girls want to wear makeup not just to look pretty but also for other reasons. Makeup acts as a tool for creativity, self-expression, and confidence.

Why Do Girls Want to Wear It?

Aside from wanting to look better, there are other reasons why girls develop a desire to try on makeup. These reasons cover wanting to better themselves, get compliments, and find their inner self. Let’s go over these reasons in depth:

Express themselves

Thanks to the variety of makeup, girls can bring out their inner selves from within. All the colors, shades, and types of makeup allow girls to experiment and find ways to express themselves to themselves and the world.

Younger girls, those ages 6 to 10, want to use makeup to mimic others they have seen. From princesses from movies to celebrities or even their mothers, young girls want to look like others they think look pretty.

Those who are a bit younger want to use makeup to make themselves look pretty through artistic methods. They want to explore their personal idea of beauty.

Influence others

Social, these days, have become a cornerstone of how kids today express themselves. Kids express themselves to the world and their friends through reels and posts on these platforms. Young girls spend much of their time on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

These platforms are also filled with influencers who show off how to use makeup or their favorite ones. Millie Bobby Brown, JoJo Siwa, and Kylie Jenner are just a few of the top ones that have released their makeup brand directed towards young girls.

If your girl isn’t wearing makeup, she sees her friends wear it, which can pressure her. Thanks to peer pressure, many girls want to wear makeup to be part of the trend, which is a big deal, or to get into a clique.

Build confidences

Young and old girls see wearing makeup as not a way to be beautiful. Instead, it’s a way to hide flaws visible only to themselves. Makeup is a powerful tool available to girls of all ages that helps them to feel more put-together or mature.

The Evolution of Kids’ Fashion and Makeup Trends

Makeup has come a long way from its early days. Did you know that the earliest evidence of makeup is from 6000 BCE? That’s from the Egyptian era! That’s too far back. Instead, let’s start with when kids’ fashion and makeup trends became popular. Let’s go back to the roaring 50s.

• 1950s-1960s:
  • Back then, makeup was only meant for women in their adult years.
  • Children only wore makeup for special occasions or for theatre performances.
• 1980s-1990s:
  • Thanks to the marketing of Claire’s non-toxic makeup line, more and more young girls have gotten into wearing makeup.
• 2000s-Present:
  • Thanks to the social media and influencer boom, makeup has now become more mainstream.
  • It’s commonplace to see teen and tween girls wearing makeup.

What Age Should Girls Start Wearing Makeup?

To answer the question of what age should girls start wearing makeup, we need to look at it from multiple angles. We need to go over expert opinions and guidelines for age-appropriate makeup use.

Expert Opinions on the Right Age for Makeup

We can talk to several experts if we are looking to find out at what age should girls start wearing makeup. And we did do so. Each expert has a slightly different answer, and we will share all their opinions so that you can make your own choice. We have talked with dermatologists, psychologists, and makeup artists, and here is what they have to say about girls wearing makeup.

Dermatologists’ Perspective: Skin Health Comes First

Dermatologists are medical experts who primarily deal with skin and its various issues. Because of their expertise, they were the first people we consulted about this topic. According to them, if girls start wearing makeup too early, then in later years, they might have to deal with issues such as clogged pores, acne, or allergic reactions.

Their recommendation on wearing makeup is:

• Wait until a girl is about 12 or 14 before using makeup.
• To only wear makeup that is non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.
• To learn about cleansing and moisturizing before wearing makeup.

Psychologists’ Perspective: Emotional Readiness Matters

Because of how connected wearing makeup and self-image are, we opted to consult psychologists next. According to them, signs of emotional maturity determine whether a girl should start wearing makeup. Peer pressure and social beauty standards aren’t relevant to this question.

Their recommendation on wearing makeup is:

• To have open conversations about beauty.
• Ensure a girl knows that makeup is only for self-expression and not for hiding insecurities.
• Look for emotional maturity and allow makeup use if it’s high and genuine.

Makeup Artists’ Perspective: Start Simple and Build Skills

If we are talking about makeup use, talking to professionals working with it is a no-brainer. After working with professional makeup artists, we found that they recommend light and non-toxic makeup for young girls. According to them, the advanced stuff is for girls who are older and more mature physically.

They believe that:

• Tinted lip balm, clear mascara, and blush are enough for girls under 10 years old.
• Using simple makeup to teach about proper use is very important.
• Makeup should be used to teach about enhancing natural features rather than covering up supposed flaws.

Age-Appropriate Makeup Guidelines

Using all the information we have gathered from professionals, we have narrowed down at what age should girls start wearing makeup. Here are more detailed and broken-down age ranges:

Ages 6-10: Non-Toxic Makeup for Fun

For girls this age, makeup is only for fun and looking like characters they have seen and loved. Parents should only allow girls to play around with non-toxic and water-based makeup. We recommend:

• Lip gloss: Light-tinted gloss that is labeled kid-friendly. Brand: Burt’s Bees and Honest Beauty.
• Nail polish: Non-toxic and easily removable. Brand: Piggy Paint or Suncoat.
• Temp tattoos: Easy to apply and remove.

Ages 11-15: Light & Natural Makeup for Special Occasions

Girls in their tween years can apply some commonly seen makeup only under supervision. They should apply light and natural makeup, especially during special occasions. We recommend:

• Tinted Lip Balm: These hint at color while moisturizing their lips. Brand: EOS or Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment.
• Clear Mascara: Gives the girls a subtle definition without any drama. Brand: Maybelline and CoverGirl.
• Blush or Bronzer: Helps with giving a slight glow to cheeks. Brand: Glossier or Milani.

Ages 16+: Advanced Makeup Experimentation

This is the age when girls should start wearing makeup that their parents might wear. Girls should, from this age, start experimenting with products such as foundation, eyeliner, and eyeshadow. Usage should be monitored for moderation. We recommend:

• Foundation or BB Cream: This is helpful in evening out skin tone. Brand: Fenty Beauty or Neutrogena.
• Eyeliner: A subtle touch of this goes a long way. Beginners should start with gel or pencil liners.
• Eyeshadow: Natural colors such as browns, taupes, and pinks give a more natural look.

Factors to Consider Before Letting Your Child Wear Makeup

Knowing at what age should girls start to wear makeup is helpful. Still, you also need to consider some factors before introducing them. Some of these factors concern health, while others concern maturity or cultural norms. Let’s break it down:

Skin Health and Safety

One of the most important factors parents should consider, in addition to age, is health. In fact, the healthiness of a girl’s skin, along with their age, will determine the safety of applying makeup.

To maintain health and safety, girls of a younger age should only be allowed to apply non-toxic and hypoallergenic makeup. These makeup products are free of parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances. Younger girls are more prone to allergic reactions, thus the need for hypoallergenic makeup.

Emotional and Social Readiness

Since makeup is a tool for self-expression, you must be sure that your girls are emotionally and socially ready for it. To determine their readiness, we suggest you gauge them by understanding their motivation, setting boundaries, and building self-confidence.

Once you know why your daughter is looking to wear makeup, you will understand if it’s peer-pressure led or if they are just curious. And if it’s due to pressure, you should sit her down and explain that she doesn’t need to fall for it and is naturally beautiful enough.

Some girls wish to wear makeup to build self-confidence, and parents should encourage that. However, there need to be boundaries, and makeup should be worn in moderation. These are topics parents need to make their daughters aware of.

Cultural and Family Values

Culture and family values do come into play in topics such as fashion and makeup. Some cultures in the world encourage girls to experiment with makeup from a younger age than others. This is a factor some parents will need to consider. So long as parents promote a healthy relationship between natural beauty and makeup use, then girls wearing makeup from a younger age is okay.  

How to Introduce Makeup to Young Girls

So, your girls are looking forward to wearing makeup, but how do you introduce that to them? Here is how:

Starting with Playful and Light Makeup

Like many things being introduced to your children for the first time, you need to do it in a fun and light-hearted manner. Make the topic of girls starting to wear makeup something creative, not about making them look more beautiful.

Only introduce your daughters to non-toxic, simple, and easy-to-remove kid-friendly makeup items and brands. They should wear these for fun and play-acting, not for something more mature.

Teaching Proper Makeup Application and Removal

You should introduce them to not only wearing makeup but also to ways to safely remove it. This will ensure that they learn that makeup is something to be worn temporarily and about safe skin care.

Kids, both boys and girls, should know about proper and safe skin care. This will help them at an older age by keeping their clean and supple natural skin.

Choosing the Right Products for Young Skin

Take your girls along with you when you go to buy their makeup. Make it an activity where you also teach them what makeup they can wear and which they can’t. Share why they can wear certain makeup and the dangers of wearing the more advanced ones.

The Role of Parents in Guiding Makeup Choices

From what age should girls start wearing makeup? Parents play a major and continuous role in this topic. From setting boundaries to having conversations and even leading their children by example, all are done by parents. This is because parents are the ones who promote confidence, self-expression, and safety for their children.

Open Communication and Setting Boundaries

Parents must communicate openly with their children, especially young girls, about beauty, self-esteem, and the importance of making personal choices. Only by doing so can they ensure that their girls know to love themselves and how they look. Otherwise, in the worst scenario, the girls will make the wrong decisions and damage their self-esteem for good.

Leading by Example

Children look up to their parents, a heavy burden that parents must endure. Girls will always look at their mothers to determine what beauty standards they should have and what it means to look beautiful. As such, parents, mothers, and fathers must lead by example to ensure their daughters have the right idea about beauty.

Parents must emphasize the importance of natural beauty, avoid peer pressure, and dress appropriately for their children’s age and gender. They should also monitor moderation in makeup usage from the start.

Alternatives to Makeup for Young Girls

Makeup is just one tool girls can use to ensure they look good. If parents aren’t comfortable with their young daughters wearing makeup, they can introduce them to other alternatives.

Emphasizing Skincare Over Makeup

Parents can introduce their children to natural skincare instead of makeup from an early age. Proper skincare can be just as helpful in making a girl look beautiful as makeup. Through cleansing, moisturizing, and proper sun protection, young girls can easily keep their skin looking fresh and supple.

Exploring Other Forms of Self-Expression

Girls have access to numerous kinds of clothing, accessories, and shoe wear that can help them look their best every day. The right dress, shoes, and jewelry can help them show off their natural look without needing makeup. Different hairstyles can also highlight their face for the maximum wow factor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Conclusion

The answer to the question of at what age should girls start wearing makeup is from 11 for the light and non-toxic ones and over 16 for the more advanced choices. However, the decision is ultimately dependent on their maturity and interest. So long as they only wish to wear them for personal interest and hobby and not due to low self-esteem or peer pressure, they can wear makeup at a younger age.

Parents should consider emotional readiness, cultural factors, and skin health before introducing them to makeup. Even after introducing them, parents need to set boundaries and check for moderation of use for the benefit of their daughters.

Ultimately, makeup is only a tool for young girls to look good and build their self-confidence. Alternatives, such as better skincare, clothing, and accessories, can work just as well. Ensure your girls know they look perfect even without all these things so they can also believe it. A natural look is the best look!