When to teach your kids about makeup

Summer is the perfect time for kids to learn to wear makeup – not the first week of school. Children should be practicing their grooming skills now.

I am always asked, “When should I let my child wear makeup?” I believe makeup should be given in steps.

I think a lot of little girls can wear lip gloss even as early as second or third grade just for fun or to keep their lips from chapping. But I think eye and facial makeup should be reserved for their sixth-grade year, or when they are 12 years old. This is when they can actually learn it.

I suggest during sixth grade, they learn to wear mascara and lip gloss or lipstick. Nothing more. These makeup tools seem to be the most tedious and take a steady hand. Mastering these saves their skin against other makeups and helps them start not looking like clowns.

During their seventh- and eighth-grade years, take them to a makeup artist. You can go the makeup counters in the mall, or invite a Mary Kay lady. Just get someone with the color palette and an expert eye to help your child get the right makeup from the start. Make sure you learn your daughter’s skin tone and what colors look best with her hair color and eye color.

Having a professional help her the first time will save you money in the long run. Not only will this professional teach her basic grooming and makeup application, but this could prevent you from buying the wrong makeup for your child.

Keep in mind that children should not figure out makeup and immediately move to learning extreme and elaborate techniques. Glitter, bronzers, complicated ombre lips and eyes, and face contouring should be learned in ninth through 12th grades.

The techniques and makeup take time and a steady hand. Let your children practice in summer. Be honest with them if their makeup doesn’t look great. Don’t lie to spare their feelings, as this just encourages bad techniques and behavior you will need to correct later in life.

Lastly, make sure you teach your children to WASH THEIR FACE. Hair and makeup catch environmental toxins and keep them on your face and in your hair. If you sleep with your makeup on, your skin will age faster. Just teach them right from the beginning, and you won’t have to worry about it later – college can be awkward enough!