How Young Is Too Young For Makeup?

From crayons to eyeshadow palettes.

As a budding teenager, femininity horrified me. I denied having breasts until it could be denied no longer; my period was the worst thing that had ever happened to me; and I was more interested in basketball stats than makeup products. I prided myself on being a tomboy, as did most of my girlfriends, that's why I can't believe the latest numbers on young girls embracing their lipsticks tubes.

According to author Lisa Bloom's new book, Think: Straight Talk for Women to Stay Smart in a Dumbed Down World, just over 15% of girls under the age of 12 are already wearing wearing mascara, eyeliner and lipstick on a regular basis. That seems awfully young, doesn't it?

Bloom suggests that societal pressure to "look good 24/7" is to blame, and I'm sure that's fairly accurate. Thanks to the Internet and an omnipresent celebrity culture, young girls are inundated with imagery of Disney stars and Nickelodeon kids covered in glitter and mascara. The thing is, not to condone it necessarily, but when you're under television stage lights or being snapped on the red carpet, even flawless 12-year-old skin needs a little colour. Real-life tweens, however, aren't exactly being chased by the paparazzi, so where are they going with all that makeup on? And furthermore, since they can't yet legally work, who the heck is footin' the bill?

At that age I remember begging my mom to shave my legs to no avail, despite an embarrassing coat of fuzzy armour. I can't really imagine asking her to pick me up some rouge at the makeup counter. Her first question would have been: what for? And then she would have told me to embrace my naturally rosy cheeks for as long as possible. So why isn't anyone talking to these girls and telling them they already look perfect just the way they are?

Have your say! How young is too young to wear makeup?

By: Laura; Photo by iStockphoto.

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