Makeup on an 11 year old?

It's natural for girls to want to copy what their mums do and to play with make up. I think most girls do at some point. As long as it's just at home or at a friends's house and she's not going out in public looking like that then I don't think it's a problem.

If you are being old fashion, in this case there is nothing wrong with it. I let my girls 7 and 10 play in makeup. However, when it comes to going to school or the store, it comes off. I have taught them make up hides things women think are ugly naturally and they have nothing ugly about them. As for the bra, my 10-year-old is fighting me on it. Nevertheless, I put my foot down; she wears it there is no option. Now as for your situation, it's hard because you’re not yet step daddy. I say you really need to discuss these issues you have with the children with your fiancée and together define your boundaries with the kids, before the marriage takes place. If you do not, it will only get worse for you. If you are to be in their life, personally you should have say so, at least she should hear your opinions out on certain areas with the kids. Hope this helps and best of luck to you.

I think a little lip gloss can't hurt...however red is unacceptable. Perhaps a light pink...beige would be more appropriate. It sounds like her friend may be more matured then your daughter so I would be careful there. On the subject of the bra...if she needs one then she should be wearing one. I would talk to your wife about that...because it is just better. It is good that you make her wear one...

As a mom of a little girl I will have to deal with this issue in the years to come. My thoughts on this are that some girls have a natural curiosity about makeup...how to apply it, what colors to wear, will it make them more desireable. I think it's okay for a young girl to wear a little bit of lipgloss and maybe a bit of blush. But, only once in a while not every day. Makeup should not be worn everyday until the child is at least a teenager and even then it shouldn't overwhelm her face. If I were you I would be happy that she is not that interested in makeup yet and that she only wears lipgloss once in a while. Try to put it into perspective by comparing this makeup thing with something your son might be interested in as a boy, like taking things apart or obsessing over cars.

i think a little clear or soft pink lip gloss would be fine, but nothing else at that age/ kids are trying to grow up way to fast. she should be out jump roping, and playing video or board games with her girlfriends. its ok to like the boys, but nothing more. to much to soon only leads to trouble!

I can understand your concern because nowadays little girls wanted to grow up so fast. You are not old fashioned but nowadays with the media and the "role models" these young girls have, who bombarded them with what beauty is, make-up is part of it. Just discuss your concern with your partner this early while you are not yet married so that she will know your concerns and you can talk about it.

Lots of interaction here. First of all you guys are still engaged but living together so that really does give you a lot of parental say-so of the girl where the otherwise would not be. If you are feeling protective of the girl, follow your instincts AFTER you have explored them thoroughly to make sure your own motivations match up with what is best for an 11-yr-old girl. Posting here and showing that you are thinking about it is a positive sign to me. The whole bra bit could be awkward, but it seems you are handling it well. Any teen or pre-teen adjusting to a new parental figure is difficult. As far as the make-up goes: that's tricky. My niece is only allowed ot wear light pinks and light layers of make-up overall and she is 10 but has the maturity of a 14-yr-old. Each child's maturity level is different plsu the expectations of the culture of the parents and the culture the child is living in is different. A friend of mine is from New York and she lets her little girl do full make-up just like Mommy and has since her daughter was old enough to try and mimic her (about 3). because she is doing it to be like Mommy and because it has never been made a big deal of AND because she has been taught to do it properly, the little girl looks kinda cute in glittery pastel make-up. Not knowing the whole situation, I can't give you a complete answer to your question. I would suggest a good place to begin is to have your fiancee sit down with her and teach her how to properly apply it (so she doesn't come home caked with it) and perhaps to get her some pastel colours that you would find acceptable.

I don't believe an 11 year old needs makeup. I think possibly they might start with A SMALL amount around 13-15. Let her mom take care of her womenly needs in my opinion.

While it is nice that you want to protect her, I think you need to tread very carefully around step-children where discipline is concerned. I am not suggesting that you let your fiance's children walk all over you but you must remember that they are used to their mums rules. If you didn't come on the scene until the youngest was ten then they already have a way of doing things established and to interfere with that can provoke an enormous amount of resentment. Having said that, you also have to maintain your son's way of life and code of conduct but striking a balance needs to be a very delicate operation. The best thing that you can do for your step-children is to form good relationships with them so that the experience of a new dad is a good one. With regard to your specific issues, I think the majority of posts have already said that experimenting with make-up is fine and normal. Children do mimic grown-ups and there is nothing wrong with this. The bra issue I don't quite see. Why exactly do you feel she should be wearing one? Their purpose is to provide support when you jump about and to prevent too much sagging when you get older. If she isn't uncomfortable jumping about then thats fine. At 11, she has a few more years before she needs to worry about being droopy so it seems to me that there is perhaps another issue here which is yours not hers. Bear in mind why women burnt their bras - they were representative of mens control over women and in particular over womens sexuality. If it is to do with feeling uncomfortable with seeing them moving or her nipples then that really is your issue. Don't make her uncomfortable about her growing body if she is happy with it.

It's prefectly normal for a little girl to want to try out putting on makeup. It's fun. I think you are making a big deal out of this. She is just being a normal little girl. I started wearing makeup when I was not much older than her. My mom bought me good quality makeup, and I was shown how to wear it properly. Don't worry, she isn't growing up too fast. I think she is right on track. Raising little girls is a bit different from raising little boys. I have one of each. I am so thankful that my husband grew up in a house with 3 sisters and a mom. You are not an old fashioned dork!

Man I think that sucks. To teach young girls already so young that they need to enhance their appearance just to get by in society sucks. I think young girls and women alike need to ditch all that makeup and just let their natural glow shine through.

I am a mother, but my daughter is only 4. She always wants to do what I do. Of course I would never let her out of the house excpet on halloween with make-up yet! But she is interested in wearing make-up can you take her somewhere or to someone you know to show her how to make it look natural. There are many salons, Avon representatives, MaryKay representatives. You could eve talk to them before she meets with them to discuss what is okay and not okay! They probably know more what is going on in many age groups than we do. My mother and my aunt decided that was the best way for my cousin and I to learn. When we were about 11-12 we went and had professionals show us how to do it naturally so we wouldn't look like clowns. By the time I was 13, I wore make-up at least 75% of the time. Times are changing, let kids have some fun as long as it is clean good fun! Otherwise they will end up going behind your back and doing it anyway! CC

oh come on, makeovers are part of sleep overs.. but the thing is, if she starts using it all the time. Its not good if she grows up with it cuz wen natural beauty is the best.

As a mother myself (though I have only boys) I think 11 is too young to be wearing more then just a TOUCH of lip gloss ... that age they should be taught about natural beauty not how to cover it up, or add to it. As far as the bra issue goes, that is certainly a subject that her mother should be addressing with her. However if she is NOT then I think it would be in the childs best interest for you to intervene provided you have a good relationship with her. ... In any case KUDOS to you for taking on this job ... and best to you while learning how to parent a girl. Hope it all works out well for you , your fiance , and all the children involved! ~Rachel

i really don't think the makeup is a problem, but if you feel she needs to wear a bra then you should talk to her mom about it and tell her how it seems from a male point of view...let her know you don't want the boys thinking bad things about the girl.

I don't think makeup looks good on a little girl. I think adults should be the only ones who wear make up.

Well my daughter isnt 11 yet so maybe i dont know the true feeling. but i think all sounds ok, if her and her friends are getting all painted up for fun inside the house it sounds pretty harmless. i dont think its till she wants to leave to house with it on you want to make sure shes not sending the wrong signals.

You're not over reacting or being overr protective... I think you should talk to your girlfriend about her kids and why you think the way you do about what they do. Girls that age are curious about makeup and as long as she doesn't go out with make up it's okay. About the bra thing, you're in an awkward position for that so let them figure it out on their own.

you knwo something your not being a dork at all actually ur right she doesnt need to be walking around with no bra and a pound of make up on its redicilous she is wayyy to young she should still be playing with barbiedolls and people wonder why pedophiles exist, and they call people sick well if they were procteting their children a little more maybe this wouldnt be!!! i thnk your doing a great job and should continue to do so i know it makes you uncomfortable but if her mom isnt saying anything somebody has too right!!!maybe you shoud warn her of the sick people there is out in the world!!! take care

First of all she doesnt wear a pound of make up it is just lip gloss. Secondly she is just now getting to the stage wear she must wear a bra.I am going to buy her some undershirts so she doesn't have to wear one all the time. I have talked to her about bad people being out there. I don't let her do whatever she wants. She is more of a tom boy she likes playing with rocks than her dolls.