How to Introduce Your Preteen Daughter to Age Appropriate Perfume

The nose is one of the most powerful conjurers of human memory and emotion. A scent can evoke a thousand images, which is perhaps why the perfume industry is such a timeless mainstay. However, when it comes to our young daughters, we want to be cautious about exactly what "images" are conjured up when they are in the presence of older boys and men.

As such, when they begin to express an interest in perfume we tend to err on the side of, well, overprotection. While understandable, there is a way to allow your preteen daughter the chance to explore glamour innocently without crossing the line into adult cosmetics. Even if you want her to wear a cotton candy scent and she prefers something dripping with sexual innuendo, there is a middle ground. Consider the following tips on how to introduce your preteen daughter to age appropriate perfume before your next squabble over seductive scents.

Tip #1: Start with a budget. Not surprisingly, the more expensive a perfume is, the more likely it is to be heavy and powerful. Not only that, but pricier perfumes tend to evoke a sexual image more often than more wallet friendly scents. Apparently money equals sex appeal, and the more you can shell out, the more you'll get. Kill two birds with one stone here by saving a bit of your paycheck as well as disguising an effort to promote innocence as a thrifty and reasonable budget move. Even if your daughter has her own allowance, limit her to a specific dollar amount on this fun but unnecessary item, and you'll also decrease her odds of selecting a more mature scent.

Tip #2: Push the clean brand names. Scents that are marketed toward the younger generation often offer age appropriateness as well. After all, they are targeting a group of young ladies whose parents most likely oversee all of their purchases, and whose approval they must seek out. The bonus here is that most preteen idols and trends have a perfume to their credit, making it easier for parents to push them. A few brands to try might include Jessica Simpson, Hilary Duff, J-Lo, and Lucky. To make sure that your daughter is flooded with kid-friendly brands, consider visiting a finer drug store together rather than a high end department store when you make your shopping excursion.

Tip #3: Names matter. While you may be more concerned with the image that your preteen daughter's perfume selection evokes when she wears it more so than you are with the name of her choice, even mildly suggestive perfume names are an indicator of what's inside. While it may sound more edgy than provocative, be wary of selecting scents with names that aren't completely innocent. This is especially true if you are unable to try the scent out yourself first.

Tip #4: Consider the advertising campaigns associated with your preteen's perfume of choice. Innocent names and low prices aside, if a perfume is marketed with sexy and suggestive campaigns, it may not be a good choice for your daughter. While the scent may be appropriate enough when worn and not suggest anything overly mature, it's highly likely that your budding preteen made her selection based largely in part to an advertisement for the product that she has seen. Young girls are inclined to buying glamour and cosmetic products for the sake of achieving an image more than for the sake of quality, so be sure you know what kind of image your daughter is trying to emulate with her perfume choice.

Tip #5: Suggest body sprays. In a variety of florals, fruits, and other kid-friendly scents, body sprays are an excellent way to bridge the perfume gap for preteen girls. While women generally wear them only during the day and in warmer weather, wearing a body splash can be perfectly appropriate for young girls during any occasion. In much lighter concentrations than regular perfumes, body sprays go on strong but fade into more youthful scents quickly. Just for fun, allow your daughter to pour her body spray into an empty perfume bottle of yours for that "adult" feeling young girls crave, minus the risk of being too glamourous outside of the home.

From teen idol brands to budgets to modestly dressed perfume models, parents can carefully choose age appropriate perfumes for their preteen daughters without all the fuss. Keep the above tips in mind and enjoy helping your child select her very first perfume...a milestone for any little princess.