A Parent’s Guide to Children’s First Makeup Kits

The time when teens want to experiment more with ‘adult’ makeup happens in almost every family dynamic at some point or another. This can be a bit of an adjustment for parents as it’s not only a stage in growing, but it’s allowing and trusting them with the means to form their own personality and creative outlet.

It can be a hard adjustment for your children as they gain their own independence and reach adulthood. Like most protective parents, you want them to stay as your innocent babies but it’s reality, and to raise confident and independent children, you need to let go of the reins a little bit and instead instil some character development that allows them to grow freely.

If you are struggling and not sure how to parent during this shift, here is a simple guide to ensure that you and your teen are both on the same page.

When is the “Right” Age?

There is no one-size-fits-all or ‘right’ age for the vast majority of things, including makeup. With the rise of social media influence, children can now show an interest in makeup very early on, but may only begin to ask for their own products once they reach their teen years. You shouldn’t be surprised if they come back from the shopping centre with makeup one day.

Once a child feels comfortable, they may begin asking for specific products like mascara or lip gloss, rather than focusing on whether they are old enough. At this stage, it is helpful to shift the focus from age to developmental readiness. Consider practical factors such as:

• Responsibility: Do they have a consistent face-washing routine?

• Environment: Can they use products without damaging surfaces?

• Motor Skills: Do they have the coordination to apply the makeup safely and correctly?

It is equally important to start an open dialogue about their motivations. Understanding whether their interest stems from peer influence or deeper concerns, such as self-esteem, allows you to guide them through the transition with more care. If you want happier kids, you need to be understanding of their wants while also setting fair boundaries.

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The Essentials Starter Kit

It can be overwhelming to establish what to let them use for their first time having makeup, but don’t be afraid to ask them to meet you halfway with specific products. Therefore, if they are too young for base layers such as foundation, ask for a compromise.

A good few products to allow include mascara (brown), clear or pink-tinted lip gloss, brow gel, blush, makeup brushes and potentially concealer for their spots.

However, what you include in the starter kit can be entirely dependent on age. It is usually recommended to stay away from base layers until 15+, but other products, such as mascara and lip gloss, can be perfectly fine from the get-go.

Ingredients

A common concern for most families is preventing harmful chemicals on their children’s skin for as long as possible. Luckily, with the rise of the internet and the evolution of brands becoming more aware of harmful chemicals and ingredients, there are so many on the market that are 100% natural and perfectly safe for younger skin.

A few examples to look for include non-comedogenic, hypoallergenic, fragrance free, mineral based and mentions of natural ingredients. You can also get apps that allow you to scan a product’s barcode and it will flag harmful chemicals or highlight how safe a product is.

The Golden Rules

It’s important to educate them on makeup rules to ensure safety when they are using them. Some examples of these rules are to prevent sharing makeup especially mascara, don’t use expired makeup and to wash brushes regularly and with safe products.

There are plenty of rules but make sure to explain it to them without appearing overbearing or bossy, you don’t want to strip the fun away from these moments. These golden rules can give you and your teen peace of mind that makeup isn’t going to result in a bad reaction or regret, but also adds an extra layer of trust between you both.

Get Involved

It’s a great way to connect with your teenager, especially when this is the stage in their lives where they are growing, experiencing hormonal changes and just overall feel a bit more self conscious. This will show them how to use these products properly, so they can stay safe and keep their skin healthy.

Taking full advantage of bonding moments during these stages are so key in building a strong relationship with your teen and while it might seem uncomfortable for you at first, it’s the right decision for building a connection with your child.

Setting Boundaries

It’s okay to have some boundaries in place, as it teaches respect but also ensures that they aren’t going to cause trouble in the future. For example, setting boundaries on what makeup can be worn to school, or encouraging them not to cover their natural features like their freckles can be very beneficial.

Final Thoughts

Overall the key takeaways are to allow them to grow up and experiment with makeup when they show a key interest and you can control some aspects of their makeup application. For example, you should always check what types of lip gloss and cream blush they are using, as well as where they can wear it. It’s very important to get involved, while not taking all of the fun away from your child.