Why You Should Allow Your Kids to Wear Makeup

Part of a healthy childhood is playing grown-up, and this could mean wearing parents’ clothes or trying on Mommy’s lipstick and dabbing a bit of eye shadow here and there. But toddlers and pre-adolescents wearing makeup is still a controversial topic. Is it really okay to allow kids to explore cosmetics at such an early age?

Bright Side came across articles that explain why kids putting on makeup may not necessarily be a bad thing, and we summarized the relevant points that support this view.

1. Makeup can be good for their self-esteem.

According to one study, 42% to 56% percent of American teens ages 12 to 17 use beauty products to make themselves feel more confident. One professor says it’s good for kids to participate in self-expression and take pride in their bodies because it allows them to develop their own identities.

However, it is important for parents to teach children that makeup is merely a form of play or a way to enhance one’s appearance. It should not be treated as a benchmark of their self-worth.

2. Makeup on kids is not essentially bad, it’s the stereotypes that adults have that can be harmful.

Most people say that makeup is inappropriate for kids because it is associated with attractiveness, and we need to protect their innocence. But one expert wrote that self-expression through cosmetic products is not inherently wrong. It’s the assumptions that society and adults have that cause these negative impressions.

As one mother puts it, “We need to stop clutching our pearls when we see a child having fun with their appearance. It’s their body. And as long as their parents are cool with it, we should be too.”

3. It allows them to explore their creativity.

According to an expert who has experience with kiddie makeup workshops, these events allow little boys and girls to play with glitter and color and draw patterns on their faces. These are innocent activities that encourage them to express themselves.

A parent also shared that makeup is essentially an art supply for her 3-year-old daughter, with her face, body, and nails serving as the canvas. She added that playing with the colors and textures is a form of clean and creative fun.

4. They can learn about healthy makeup routines and practices at an early age.

Their early introduction to cosmetics provides room for parents to educate them right away about which products are appropriate for their age and safe for their skin. It is important to teach them about proper face hygiene — like using their own makeup tools and washing their face every day. A pediatrician also suggests easing them into wearing less makeup first before dipping into the heavy shades.

5. Children exploring makeup is inevitable, and it’s better to acknowledge it than repress it.

The study found that between 30% to 54% percent of 12 to 14-year-old Americans use eye makeup, foundation, concealer, blush, and bronzer. According to an expert, children are regularly exposed to these products through social media, and this is a major factor for the growing use of makeup among the youth.

By acknowledging their interest and having an open discussion about it, parents can set boundaries and guide them properly on healthy beauty habits. Experts believe this is more helpful than leaving the children to do it behind adults’ backs.

How old were you when you first tried makeup? Do you agree or disagree with the points mentioned above?

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