Too Young For Beauty?
October 24, 2006 by Christina Jones
Filed under Beauty, Style
This article, Old enough for makeup? Navel Piercings? Moms weigh in, from last week’s Fort Worth Star-Telegram, has got me thinking a little bit this morning. My daughter is 12, and we have somewhat similar discussions at home about age-appropriate beauty and style.
What is kind of funny to me is that I bucked the system whenever I could when I was younger. I wasn’t after navel piercings, but at about 13 I ran out with my cousin Jerri and got my ears pierced, when my father had been very definite in the fact that I was not allowed to do that until I was 16. I pretty much did everything when I wanted to do it, I guess. So I am now blessed with a pretty conservative daughter - probably much to my mothers chagrin. Ha ha!
So, here I am now, with a 12 year old daughter - a daughter who I had to beg to get her ears pierced, and finally when she was 10, she got brave enough to do it. Funny, eh? She wants to wear makeup, but not every day, so I let her - pretty well whatever she wants, and it is usually some eyeshadow, eyeliner and lipstick, and pretty much only on special occasions. She loves her Jessica Simpson body products, and has a heyday in my bathroom getting in to all of my products, but I think I am just happy she bathes without a battle.
I don’t think I am going to have to worry about piercings just yet, maybe when her friends start getting them. Our biggest battles these days come from the skulls - she just doesn’t get it that skull motifs are not appropriate for every occasion. We had a family reunion last weekend, and we had to go through the “skull check:” no skull earrings, embroidered jeans, necklaces, bracelets or t-shirts. I am not crazy about the styles (terry cloth sweatbands???), but when I go to school, I see all the other kids wearing these little things that are not bad in themselves, just ugly to me - so I think that I will choose my battles carefully.
I guess if the battle of the skulls is as bad as it gets, I am pretty lucky. 
What do you and your “tween” daughter battle about? Inquiring minds want to know…
New commenter here. I wanted to point out first that it’s the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, not Dallas. They aren’t too far apart though.
I’m 22, so if my mom were still trying to tell me what to wear that would be a bit embarrassing. I do however have a 13 year old sister, and I’m privy to some of their battles every once in a while. The thing that always seems to come up is earrings. I remember my mom fighting with me over that one too. Seems like tween girls love trying to get away with long, dangling earrings. And hoops of larger than a VERY specific size are a big no-no!
As far as beauty products, dark polish was always off limits for me. Good thing there wasn’t Black Satin back then…
Hi there - and thanks, I knew Dallas didn’t sound quite right - I am in College Station, myself.
And thanks also for your insight - I let Zoe wear black nail polish, but only to torment my hubby who puts his foot down at it for me. Ha ha ha!