How to satisfy DD's desire for makeup?

LuckyMommaToo · 11-05-2009, 12:43 AM

She's 3. Lip gloss alone doesn't seem to cut it. And of course, I wear almost NO makeup. Sigh. I want to get her something for the holidays that somehow satisfies her, but also doesn't ruin my couch or isn't full of nasty chemicals. Any ideas? I was thinking something like glitter lotion might work, if that exists....
-e

daytripper75 · 11-05-2009, 06:24 AM

My dd also wanted makeup at that age and other than lip gloss I ignored it. I didn't think it was appropriate.

They do make glitter lotion. Jergens is one brand that isn't too expensive. I think they also still sell pretend makeup kits at toy stores. That might be fun.

lonegirl · 11-05-2009, 06:29 AM

I think 3 is too young for makeup...except for dressup make-believe Halloween type (under supervision). My son loves when I put on makeup and will brush a bit of blush on his arms LOL
Glitter lotion, though, I think is fine.

staceychev · 11-05-2009, 06:44 AM

I totally agree with the above posters, but I feel your pain with my 4YO. She's been into makeup since she was out of the womb, practically. (Didn't help that we lived for her first 18 months with my mom who wears makeup.)

I bought this kit for my niece a couple of years ago because it seemed pretty safe and aesthically inocuous. Perhaps it'd work for your DD for wearing only at home? (That's my big thing: makeup is not for going out. I even heard myself say "not until you're 16" the other day, shocking the adolescent punk who still lives inside my head! )

Hatteras Gal · 11-05-2009, 06:48 AM

Nail polish and glitter lotion and they make some sort of roll on glitter for the hair too.

HappyMommy2 · 11-05-2009, 07:00 AM

berry-flavored chapstick

Perdita_in_Ontario · 11-05-2009, 09:10 AM

Toenail polish works well for DD - it stays on a while, doesn't rub off, and there are some wicked sparkly ones out there. It seems to satisfy her quite well, and avoids stuff rubbed on my sofa (watch it with the glitter lotion - I have some I use on occasion and it rubs off onto upholstery sometimes). You can get brands that have less of the nasties in it (formaldehyde, tuolene, etc etc).

We also have some glitter hairspray (fairy dust) for special occasions.

Every now and then, I allow her to have at it with some of my old (but not expired) makeup. She sits in front of a mirror and completely covers her face - not Barbie-ish, more like "warpaint" or something. I make sure I have makeup remover handy before letting her go wild. Last time she fell in love with a moss green eyeshadow and ended up looking like a Martian. She loved it.

Other than the occasional request for lip gloss, which she generally regrets afterwards because her hair sticks to her lips, that satisfies her.

annethcz · 11-05-2009, 12:43 PM

I was also going to suggest nail polish.

TEAK's Mom · 11-05-2009, 02:13 PM

How about face paint? We have always had lots of fun with it and I've learned to do everything from flower faeries to monsters.

mumkimum · 11-05-2009, 02:19 PM

I'll let dd use my makeup (read: using the big brushes without anything actually on them) but only really powder or a usually unused blush brush. Something like a big makeup brush and small mirror, plus fancy chapstick (maybe you can find something that's more lipstick-looking?) might be satisfying enough for play for her.

There's also (I believe) a wooden play makeup set by, um, FAO schwartz?

meemee · 11-05-2009, 05:20 PM

i let dd use my makeup.

to me it was a crime keeping makeup away from her as she is such a theatrical child who loved art. her favourite canvas was her body (markers on her face stomach arms everywhere)

she used makeup as body art.

she used some of my make up. and i got her tester size trial pack adult make up. she never used it as makeup.

she applied it all over her body.

not sure why but never got it over our furniture.

she also put make up on me

: it looked like warpaint on me.

as she grew up at 5 she wanted to wear make up out. i sat with her and talked about social appropriateness. and so we both decided on pale lip gloss and pale pink eyeshadow. she was done in a short while and has never wanted makeup since then.

i remember buying her a bunch of burt bee's lip gloss or thin lipstick kinda thing.

i have never bought her cheap makeup. or any kids makeup ever.

bethanyclaire · 11-05-2009, 05:24 PM

We do the "naked" blush brush, too. I have a super-soft one and DD loves using it, even without anything on it. I do have some all-natural, organic translucent rice powder (I'm a make-up artist) that I'll brush on her face on occasion. I also got her a tiny tube of natural lip gloss in a very soft pink that she can use whenever she wants. I also encourage cherry Chapstick during the cold, dry winter since it helps her lips not peel. She has learned that those are the things she can wear and doesn't ask for more anymore. I know it is probably my fault entirely, as she sees me apply makeup and do color charts on a regular basis. I don't want to make it taboo but I'm not going to let her wear a face full of makeup at 4, either.

That said, she can wear makeup for Halloween or for dressing up. She wore crazy full-face kitty makeup for Halloween this year. She told me she liked dressing up and wearing makeup way more than she liked the candy!

She LOVES nail polish, though. That seems to satisfy her. I have a bunch of different colors and I let her pick out any color she wants (I seriously cringed when she wore black nail polish for 2 weeks straight, lol!).

So maybe she'd like some blush brushes? I know my DD is getting her own set for the holidays. I don't think she'll care if anything is on them... she just likes the softness of the brushes and pretending to put makeup on in her mirror.

ramama · 11-05-2009, 06:31 PM

I seriously just came on MDC to pose this very same question! DD is going to be 4 in December and keeps asking for make-up. Repeatedly. All the time. I don't own a single item of makeup, not even one. I don't know where this came from! (nevermind, I'm pretty sure it came from an episode of Max and Ruby) I might get her a pack of glitter lip gloss and some nail polish, and perhaps a blush brush. That's pretty much all I'm comfortable with, and that's pushing it. LOL. I don't know where this girl came from...

LuckyMommaToo · 11-05-2009, 06:53 PM

Okay, am loving the idea of the brushes. BethanyClaire, is the translucent powder something I could purchase at Sephora or somewhere like that?

So I think a "make-up bag" with lip gloss, brushes, and some powder might be good enough. The problem with nail polish is that she wants to do it herself. So unless someone can recommend nail polish that won't stain, which seems an impossibility, I won't include that now. (I do sometimes paint her toes, but she REALLY wants to do it herself.)

thanks,
-e

greenemami · 11-05-2009, 08:00 PM

I'm not sure if this would satisfy her or not, but my dsd was given a giant makeup kit for christmas one year (by her aunt and uncle), which I was not thrilled about. To avoid her putting makeup on her face (and mine!!!!) I would draw faces on paper and let her do their makeup-this would probalby work on dolls or whatever as well, and she really enjoyed it. The kit also has little stamps and some kind of glitter and she loves to stamp all over her body, since I am still not big on makeup on her face. Otherwise, they do make nontoxic peel off nail polish, or I would do tinted lip balm or maybe even just a blush bursh adn some cornstarch (baby powder), although that might make a giant mess.

noobmom · 11-05-2009, 08:38 PM

I love the putting makeup on paper faces idea!

I don't wear makeup either. But I do love my pomegranate Burt's Bees lip balm. It looks really red in the tube, so that might satisfy your DD a bit.

arniflora · 11-05-2009, 09:40 PM

When I was 3-6, I was a girley girl! I wanted makeup, jewelry, long dresses, fancy shoes, the works! If all of this "princess" stuff was around when I was that age, I'm pretty sure I'd be all over it. Now, not so much

I don't know if it still exists, but Bonne Belle (spelling?) used to make all flavors of lip balm. I can still taste the watermelon! That was a huge winner with me. I would think your idea of a makeup bag with lip balm, some nail polish (there are lots of pale but glittery colors to choose from) and a brush with some (matte) powder (do NOT get loose powder or it will be everywhere!) would be awesome! I know the little princess in me would be all over that. Oh - also nail art! There are these little stick-on pictures that you can put on your nails. Put those in the bag, too. Can you tell I used to love this stuff? LOL and now, I don't own a stitch of make up!

Have fun.

Perdita_in_Ontario · 11-06-2009, 11:13 AM

Bonne Belle is still big up here, and they don't test on animals (yay!).

I let DD do her own toenails. She uses sparkly colours - pastels mainly, and they dry in about 5 minutes. Yes, it gets on the skin too, but it rubs off in a couple of hours.

One thing I do talk a lot with her about is the point of makeup. She talked a lot about "makeup making me prettier" (which she picked up at daycare). I have talked about it "making you sparkly" or "having fun with colours". I think she's given up on the "prettier" thing for now, but I'm sure it'll come back. That bothers me far more than the makeup itself, but it would be happening whether or not I let her play with makeup since she attends school.

bethanyclaire · 11-06-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuckyMommaToo

Okay, am loving the idea of the brushes. BethanyClaire, is the translucent powder something I could purchase at Sephora or somewhere like that?

So I think a "make-up bag" with lip gloss, brushes, and some powder might be good enough. The problem with nail polish is that she wants to do it herself. So unless someone can recommend nail polish that won't stain, which seems an impossibility, I won't include that now. (I do sometimes paint her toes, but she REALLY wants to do it herself.)

thanks,
-e

I hope it works for your DD as well as it's worked for mine! I would think you could find the powder at Sephora, though I haven't bought it there myself. Mine came from a specialty makeup supplier when I got my very first artist's kit. I'm betting it wouldn't be too hard to find, though! (I should find some anyway as I'm running low.) Even if it wasn't exactly the same Sephora will have some natural, organic translucent options for sure.

A pp suggested pressed powder and that is a REALLY good idea!

The rice powder I have is loose so I put it on her myself. When I get some for her I'll make sure it is pressed! LOL!

Paper faces are also a GREAT idea!!! Both of my kids LOVE putting makeup on my face charts and it keeps them occupied while I'm doing mine. If anyone wants a pre-made one PM me and I'll be happy to e-mail you the one I use.