Walking in a long line of endless five year olds, my student Stefani proudly hung a purple Hannah Montana canvas bag from her small shoulders. She wore a cute skirt with matching shirt and wedge sandals. Her long, black hair was neatly combed with a hair barrette at the top of her head. She looked so small and I wondered what it's like to be her.

"Hey, Stefanie!" I said. "Do you like being five years old?" She smirked as she shook her head no and looked down at her feet as she continued to head towards our classroom.

"Why not?!" I asked, surprised. "I just want to be older already," she said matter-of-factly.

Most little girls want to be older NOW. With images all over television and at the grocery check-out line of actresses and singers glamorously made up, they want to be them. It's important to convey to little girls that that world is make-believe and in real life these people are not heavily made up on a day to day basis.

As early as kindergarten when girls are five years old, teachers frequently have to confiscate lip gloss and nail polish from little girls who sneak it from their mothers and then pass it around to all their friends. The older elementary-age students, ten year olds, think they are mature and old enough to wear makeup, but they certainly are not. Most elementary schools do not allow any type of makeup on their campuses.

Girls should not be allowed to wear makeup until they are in their teens. At thirteen, girls should only be allowed to wear tinted lip-gloss. Their skin is young and fresh and they do not need anything to cover it up. Anything more and they look rather silly.

At about fifteen years old, girls should be able to add a bit of mascara on their lashes and translucent blush on their cheeks. They should not, however, pile on layers and layers of mascara to get the "spider-leg" look. This looks good on no one. The blush should be applied sparingly and blended well to create a natural look.

At sixteen, girls should be allowed to add eyeliner to their makeup routine. By this time they are a bit more mature (physically, anyway) and can use makeup to enhance their look without looking ridiculous.

Talk to your daughters from an early age and let them know that they are beautiful just the way they are. Set the example by not being overly critical of your own face. Don't act like you're freaked out if you have to step out to the grocery store and you have no makeup on.

Our daughters are watching us. Make sure you are sending her the right message.

Learn more about this author, MiLa Driver.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about How young is too young to wear makeup??
We want to hear your view. Write now!