Growing up, my mom enforced a strict no-makeup rule, believing I was too young at just 11. However, one day while shopping with my dad, I secretly bought a vibrant tube of pink lipstick with my allowance. I stashed it in my backpack and would sneak away to the bathroom at school to apply it, only to wipe it off before heading home—until I got caught.
One fateful morning, I was chatting with friends when I spotted my mom approaching the school steps, brown paper bag in hand. I felt a wave of relief, thinking she had brought my forgotten lunch instead of leaving me to cafeteria food. But that relief quickly turned to embarrassment as I realized my lips were smeared with flashy 1980s pink.
Eventually, my mom accepted that experimenting with makeup was a normal part of growing up. Soon, I was trying out different lip colors—thankfully abandoning the pink—and wearing mascara regularly. Honestly, it was no different than the stick-on earrings I wore in elementary school or trying on my mom’s high heels as a kid.
As a mother of four, I’ve come to understand that pretending to be grown-up is a natural and healthy part of childhood. Yet, the Internet seems to erupt every time a parent shares a photo of their child wearing lipstick. It’s as if there aren’t more pressing issues to address. Honestly, I’m tired of the debate over whether kids should wear makeup. Here’s my confession: I’ve allowed my now-tween daughter to wear makeup since she was in preschool. Yes, you read that right.
When she was just four, she watched me put on makeup for a work party. With wide, curious eyes, she asked, “Can I have some too?” I smiled, closed her eyes, and gently brushed some sparkly eyeshadow on her lids. The joy on her face as she looked in the mirror was priceless, and she quickly dashed off to play with her little sister.
Since then, her makeup adventures have ranged from a simple swipe of lip gloss to a full face of makeup, while I often go minimal with just a top-knot and lip balm. When my son came along, he wanted in on the fun too. His choice? Bright red toenail polish to celebrate his love for firetrucks. Why shouldn’t he want to paint his toes like his sisters and mom?
What’s the concern? Some adults online have turned the act of kids wearing makeup into a controversy, labeling it as sexualization. When celebrity mom Mia Johnson let her daughter wear hoops, she faced backlash. The same happened to Sarah Williams when she took her daughter to a makeup store for some bonding time. Critics claimed these moms were pushing their little girls into adulthood too fast.
Meanwhile, women in the public eye often find themselves criticized no matter their choice—whether it’s Alicia Keys opting for a natural look or Gabrielle Union being told her hairstyles weren’t “acceptable.” It feels like a no-win situation for moms and women alike, facing scrutiny for both our children and ourselves.
Let’s get real: kids crave attention and expression. They cover themselves in stickers and show off their latest dance moves to anyone who will watch. My toddler is relentless in demonstrating her latest somersault—at least twenty times an hour. Kids are simply being kids, exploring themselves in whatever way they see fit.
We need to stop gasping in shock when we see kids, whether in a park or on social media, having fun with their appearance. Remember, it’s their body. As long as their parents are supportive, why shouldn’t we be too? If you’re interested in more on parenting, check out this insightful post here. For authoritative advice on similar topics, visit this resource and find excellent information on pregnancy at this link.
In summary, kids experimenting with makeup is a rite of passage that should be embraced, not shamed. By allowing them to explore their interests, we support their creativity and self-expression.