Are Girls Getting Into Makeup at an Earlier Age?

According to a recent Newsweek article they are. In fact, the statistics in the story suggest the age that girls are getting into makeup has fallen from 17 to just 13 in the last four years thanks to several factors...like the fascination with child beauty pageants brought on by reality shows like Toddlers & Tiaras and the small-but-growing trend of kid-oriented spa treatments.

It's an interesting article (you can read it here). One statistic they site suggests that 43 percent of 6 to 9 year-olds are using some sort of lip color product, which gives me pause. That seems really young to me. I'm obviously not against makeup, but I do believe there's something to be said for letting kids be kids.

Related: How old were you when you first wore makeup?

And as for the the idea that four years ago girls were waiting until the age of 17 to play with lipgloss, that sounds high to me. I mean, I was a teenager in the 90s and all my friends back then were playing around with makeup in middle school. Holding off until junior year would have been crazy talk.

What do you think? Have you noticed the little ones in your life getting into beauty products and treatments younger than you did? Do you think girls were really waiting until they turned 17 four years ago? Is there an age you think is appropriate to start? Do you think 9-year-olds should be playing in the dirt with their friends and not worrying about their nails? Are you worried about the effect this all might have on their self esteem later? Discuss.

Related: Who taught you how to wear makeup?

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