Wal-Mart Will Soon Stock Makeup for Your 8-year Old
I have taken to doing my makeup in secret so my daughter can't find out. If she sees me with a brush in hand she demands some makeup too. Sometimes I even find her in my bathroom pretending to look for something but she is really trying out my blush.
It really bugs me. Who really wants their little girl wearing makeup? Evidently, Wal-Mart thinks their customers do. They are launching a new make-up line for eight - twelve year olds in March. The new Geo Girl line has 69 products in it, is easy to apply and even contains some anti-aging properties, to maintain that healthy 8-year old glow.
This is not the make-up of toddlers and tiaras, this is sheer, subtly-packaged, eco-friendly, parent-friendly training make-up for junior fashionistas. The vice-president of Pacific World, the Geo-girl's manufacturer says: “These are real cosmetics with natural ingredients that will create return purchases and create a true beauty consumer.'' Perhaps to minimize parental guilt the makeup will not have any parabens, phalates and will come in recyclable packaging.
This is not Wal-Mart's first foray into tween makeup. Geo Girl Beauty is replacing the past-its-day makeup line of MaryKate and Ashley Olsen which was predominantly washable glitter.
Women wear makeup for many reasons: to look more attractive, accentuate positive attributes, hide blemishes, look younger and more polished. But does a young girl ever need blush to make their cheeks rosier? I don't think so.
Perhaps Peggy Orenstein is right, girly-girl culture is creating little consumers. It seems a shame that at a vulnerable age when we should be encouraging girls to define themselves on terms beyond their appearance; there is an increased marketing focus on getting them to stare into the mirror.
Would you let your eight-year old wear make-up? Do you think this makeup line is appropriate?
Want more? Last year I wrote the parenting version of the movie Groundhog Day because you know "life has a funny way of repeating itself."
« Have You Ever Been Caught in the Act? | Main | Yikes! Can I have a Discipline Re-do? »
