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How young is too young to wear make up? Well the answer to this question really depends on the purpose behind the use of make up. Consider that many young children get their first taste of make up long before it becomes a tool to hide flaws and accentuate what's sexy. Face paint is a form of make-up and it's painted on at fairs, markets and parties to have fun.

It's when make up is used to fit in or look sexy that's when age appropriateness becomes an issue. So how exactly do we determine what age a person should reach before they start regularly using cosmetics? When it comes to other rites of passage like getting a license or drinking alcohol there are tests or clearly defined legal age limits. There are no such guidelines for applying make up so it comes down to making a judgment call.

In making a judgment call there are several factors that can be considered:

1. Is the child or teen asking to wear make up and showing an interest of their own. No one should be told they need to wear make up. This can convey the dangerous message that they aren't good enough in their own skin. It isn't a great idea to encourage children to wear make up for pageants or performances if they aren't embracing it on their own. Some people may get to college age before they show any real interest in make up, but other very young children will get into their parents or grandparents make up of their own free will.

2. What are the persons peers doing? It's only normal to want to fit in, especially when you're growing up. Today you hear about thirteen year olds who get Brazilian waxes and have personal stylists. To tell a teen that they won't be allowed to wear make up until they turn 21 may be a bit difficult for them to swallow. Consider what is normal in their reference group.

3. The maturity and confidence of the person-is the person mature, young or about normal for their age? How is their self esteem? A youth who is mature for their age and very confident will probably suffer no ill effects from using cosmetics. However, if the person acts quite young for their age and suffers from low self worth these issues should be addressed before the person starts focusing on altering their physical appearance.

4. Where do they want to wear make up? If the child or teen only wants to wear make up for special occasions like night time events or when they go shopping or to the movies with friends then it's probably a fairly normal wanting to fit in and feel a bit special reaction. However, if they want to wear a full face of make up to school every single day and start to refuse to leave the house without make up then something is probably emotionally wrong. No one at any age should feel like they can't face the world without first putting on a mask. They are most probably hiding other issues which need to be dealt with.

In answering these questions you will probably find that it will become quite clear as to whether or not the person is at the right point in their lives to start wearing make up. What's more important then what they apply to their skin is how they feel under it. So regardless of what age people begin to wear make up we should be encouraging people to feel great about themselves on the inside!

Learn more about this author, Kimberley Heit.
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