Make Up for Tweens: The Perfect Cosmetics for Pre Teen Girls

My 12 year old daughter is just starting to get into make-up. She is a slow adaptor and I have been encouraging her to start paying attention to beauty products, though she is showing only mild interest. However, I have twins that are 7 who cannot wait to wear make up...and thus the spectrum of pre-teens.

So, where do you get them started? Are all products appropriate? I don't think so. On the other hand, I want to teach my daughters about the fabulous world of cosmetics, too. Having considered this matter at length, I have decided 12 is a great year to introduce a few core cosmetics and establish good habits and a tasteful, age-appropriate beauty regimen. (As for the 7 year olds, glittering lip gloss is my limit!)

Girls in this tween age are an interesting bunch. They want to grow up, but still love a gimmick. That in mind, here are a few great sites that spotlight awesome products to get a young girl going without going overboard! In addition, these are cost effective and/or interesting products that will make your daughter the envy of her friends. (Envy in a good way, meaning the friends will say, "Cool! Where did you get that? I want one!")

Lip Gloss and Concealer: E.L.F.

E.l.f. stands for Eyes, lips, face. This site is not specifically geared to teens but is fabulous for a young audience because it is seriously cheap! Most parents do not want to spend department store dollars on phases that are easily outgrown, or products that kids this age lose altogether. And you can get so much for your money at E.l.f. because many of the products are only ONE DOLLAR. At that price, you can let your little princess experiment all they want with different colors and products. Appropriate products I recommend are concealer (because they might need it) and lip gloss (because you won't find it cheaper than this!)

$1 Lip Gloss in 5 colors: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/elf/lips/gloss

$3 Concealer: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/concealer

Blush: Rosey Pink

This is a website solidly dedicated to teen cosmetics, having said that, it is admittedly a little gimmicky (okay, a lot.) I would not recommend this site all around because I think it is over priced...but they do have one product worth mentioning which is a good starter for young girls: Blush (or bronzer.) Rosey Pink offers "IN-D Glow" a blush/bronzer in unique packaging that would appeal to any young teen. The powder is contained in the blush brush itself! Really inventive to give your girl a glow! Check it out!

IN D Glow Blush: http://www.roseypink.com/product_info.php/cPath/3/products_id/55

Perfume: Victoria's Secret

Though I wouldn't recommend Victoria's Secret for every item a 12 year old should own, the new PINK brand has definitely taken off and your teenager is likely aware. And though our girls may feel a little shy combing the aisles in-store, one thing they are bound to love is the new HOPE PINK perfume. This gives the child a feeling of having something a little more grown up, without dropping a ton of money on a high end perfume. Plus, Victoria's secret offers totally inexpensive purse sprays. This is a win-win: Cool Name Brand and inexpensive.

Perfume is a great start to the beauty world and an easy beauty product to endorse for young girls and Victoria's Secret has nailed the young teenage market with this one, making the HOPE PINK bottle a peace sign. If you haven't seen it, check it out! It really is cute, under $20 - and you can't go wrong with Peace!

http://www2.victoriassecret.com/commerce/onlineProductDisplay.vs?namespace=productDisplay&origin=onlineProductDisplay.jsp&event=display&prnbr=KB-249057&cgname=OSBAFFTYEDP&cm_mmc=CA-_-GiftsCom-_-BEAUTY-_-KB-249057

Cleanse and Moisturize: Neutrogena Skin ID

Last on the list of cosmetics are two things I would highly recommend for any woman, cleanse and moisturize. Teach your daughters that oily skin is no good and cleansing in the morning and at night are a must for young girls! I am sure your daughter has seen the commercial for Neutrogena Skin ID. I think that is a great place to start. I like many of Neutrogena's products and kids like fun quiz's. If your daughter gets online and takes the quiz, she may feel the product is more personalized and use it! This is a good thing: clean skin!

Not only that, but this Skin ID scenario also suggests a moisturizer. I wouldn't skip on that. Far too many women don't moisturize their face because they don't have a facial moisturizer...they just skip it. A soap and water feel is great, but skin needs moisture and a woman's face will take a turn without it! Skin that is hydrogenated is healthier and as they grow, moisturizing is a great habit to be in. So, get them going young and have them give Skin ID a try...

http://www.skinid.com/econsumer/clearskin/index.view

There you have it. This is the short list of age-appropriate products one more time: concealer, lip gloss, blush/bronzer, perfume, cleanser and moisturizer. It may not be a totally new look but as a mom; I am partial to the young look anyway. They grow up fast enough and these age appropriate changes just might be enough to make them happy while introducing them to solid beauty habits one small step at a time.