While watching a video for make-up tips, I noticed that one of the models getting a glam make-up look was only 12 years old, and the make-up artist was preparing her for her eighth grade dance. He highlighted her cheekbones, contoured her face, and gave her a very grown-up look, complete with lashes and glitter eye shadow. She looked absolutely beautiful, but she certainly didn't look like a 12-year-old.

When Should Girls Start Wearing Make-Up?

I honestly think that's a question that each family should decide individually, but don't be surprised if your little girl does a little or a lot of experimenting on her own. She might borrow her friends' make-up or buy it on her own with her spending money. An open and honest discussion is best, and middle school is when girls tend to really want to wear make-up (but don't rule out having the talk earlier).

Create Your Guidelines

Is it okay for your daughter to wear a little make-up daily and wear more make-up on special occasions? What are those special occasions and what is your idea of make-up that is too much and make-up that's appropriate. Show your child examples, play with the make-up with her. Helping your daughter with her make-up could be a great bonding experience. Believe it or not, your daughter is probably not confident when it comes to what looks good on her and what's a fail. Appearance is extremely important to our girls, and what her friends say is about a hundred times more important than our opinions.

If She's Not Allowed to Wear Make-Up Yet

Let me repeat that you should keep in mind that your little girl might wear make-up at school or put it on at her friends' house. So, don't have a heart attack if you catch her with a full face of make-up after you've told her that she's not allowed to wear it. In any case, communicate to her why you want her to wait, and talk with her about when and if she could wear cosmetics in your home. Be realistic. Girls want to wear make-up to enhance their appearance, but it's important that she knows that she's beautiful without make-up. Girls also want to wear make-up to fit in with their peers. They don't want to be the odd girl out. Maybe you can treat her to a teen make-over when you think she's ready to wear make-up.

Reflect On Your Childhood (somewhat)

Remember what it was like to being a youngster. There were times when you felt awkward, and you really just wanted to feel good about yourself. Understand that times have changed immensely. Young people have YouTube. They make their own beauty videos and some of them get good money for it. They can research make-up looks on their own and decide what they like. Kids today do not have to rely on copying beauty looks from monthly fashion magazines, and they don't need to copy their friends if they don't want to. Children have probably three times the pressure that we might have had to look a certain way. You know what? I mentioned that girls want to fit in, but just as much as they want to fit in, they also want to stand out and look better than their peers.