My life is now complete. Wal*Mart is coming out with a new makeup line. It’s called “GeoGirl”. And it’s designed for the 8-12 crowd. Oh, thank goodness. Finally! Somebody is stepping up to fill that gaping hole left in the market when Mary Kate & Ashley’s line went down.
Ahem. Right.
I will be the first to stand up and be counted when you say, “well what about Bonnie Bell?” Because I used to love my Bonnie Bell. But that was lip gloss. Lip Gloss. Shiny chapstick with a little flavor thrown in, so you’d lick your lips all day, removing the gloss, and having to reapply every twelve minutes. And it was clear. And I wasn’t allowed to bring it to school.
I will also be the first to cop to the absolute glee I felt when it was time to be made up for dance recitals. I remember sitting on the bathroom counter while my mom used her makeup to decorate my face… blue eye shadow, hot pink circles of lipstick on my cheeks that got feathered out to create “rouge”, and the finishing touch – that same lipstick dabbed on my lips. But that happened once every TWO YEARS.
I will also admit to, last year, buying “makeup” for the little girl whose birthday party Josh had been invited to. Bonnie Bell has grown up, but there was a set of “TinkerBell” makeup, designed for little girls playing dress-up. All the lipglosses were so lightly tinted as to be nearly nonexistent. The same shine and flavor, but now with just a touch of pink. And there was a selection of non-toxic eye shadows in pinks and light purples that little girls would just squee over.
But this? This GeoGirl line is actual, honest-to-goodness makeup. Blusher, mascara, face shimmer and lipstick that is ‘mother approved’, as well as anti aging products. ANTI-AGING PRODUCTS!!! What 8-year old needs anti-aging products? I can totally see the 12 year old needing it, because after all, the wrinkles! But an 8-year old? Seriously, people!!! (See, sometimes you don’t need a sarcasm button!)
The line is created by Pacific World, and is created for young children who want to use ‘real cosmetics, but with natural ingredients.’
Ok, I’m the mother of a boy, who would not be caught DEAD wearing makeup, unless it’s black eyeliner on his nose and cheeks to make him look like a mouse (the cutest mouse EVER, thank you very much). But seriously? Would you parents let your little girls wear this stuff? I mean, on a daily basis, like to school and church and wherever, not for Halloween, or dance recitals, or for the occasional afternoon dress-up session, but regularly?
And what do you think about giving “anti-aging” products to little girls who haven’t even hit puberty yet?
Us Girls..Our Views 
I remember pinching my cheeks to make the “blush.”
Would I buy make up for a child between 8-12? Only if I wanted to be shot. It wouldn’t be allowed UNLESS it was for dress up and play or acting. I think it’s okay like you say about the Tinker Bell you got. I remember when Trin was a lot younger and we’d all get her “toy make-up.” She loved the Hannah Montana stuff but it wasn’t real and it was for play only which I’m fine with.
I know things were a lot different in my day but we didn’t even think about wearing anything more than lip gloss at this age.
But I’m so happy they’ve come out with this new line. I’ve been waiting for it and I’m glad I’ll finally be able to sleep tonight without the worry.
No, I would not buy this for my 8-12 year old daughter. Trin is in 5th grade and I have seen more than one girl in her class wearing real make up. Most of them do not and I’m glad b/c you need to be a kid as long as you can! That being said, I think I started wearing make up in 6th grade, but it was foundation. Eyeliner and mascara came in 7th grade, but you know, I put it on so light that no one thought I wore make up!
I think that age is too young. I would prefer it to be just for dress up. But I do believe, like Sue mentioned I too was experimenting with makeup once I hit 7th grade or so. Everything is starting way too early it seems for children!!
I am not a fan of make-up to begin with. I frankly hate to see make-up on faces so young that they are just angelically gorgeous without it! I can grudgingly understand it for play or practice in the house, but that’s it.
But there has been a gradual trend toward kids wearing it out of the house younger and younger. I remember when my sister-in-law was advocating it for 13-year-olds (decades ago) and I did not like it, but I figured, it was better for them to learn how to do it right so they don’t go out looking like street-walkers behind their moms’ backs.
So gradually 13 became 12, and 12 became 11. Not sure I’ve seen anyone younger than that wearing makeup “out and about,” but I am sure they are practicing with it at home.
I guess if they are going to wear make-up, it might as well be less-irritating make-up, right? I mean, it’s not like Wal-Mart just came up with this idea. Kids on TV and in middle school have been trying to grow up faster and faster. Nowadays when you go clothes shopping for kids, the styles for even elementary kids are based off of older, provocative styles. And nobody thinks twice about their young girls idolizing celebrities who are pretty poor role models for their age. I’ve heard of padded bras for pre-pubescent girls. Obviously there is a market for this stuff and it’s the parents who are buying it. I can’t help but wonder – what are they thinking? Do they not realize their child looks like a prostitute in training? Are they hoping to become a grandparent before their kid finishes middle school? Or am I just socially retarded since I don’t watch enough TV?
No way! I say if little girls want to wear makeup make it MORE irritable!
Let CHILDREN be children. They have little more than a dozen years to be children. After that they will be all grown up for the rest of their life.
AND ANOTHER THING!
How likely is it that we will hear from the wacos in San Francisco? You know the group that targeted McDonalds for marketing to children by using toys for Happy Meals!
That’s an interesting thought Michael.
Targeting this age group is ridiculous! 8-12???? Holy crap, Batman! I realize I’m older than most of you, but high school is when we started wearing it, just a little mascara and lip gloss. My grandgirls wore it for special occasions in 8th grade. Before that it was merely lip gloss. The timker bell and bonnie bell were both great for the younger kids. Why oh why can’t people just let little kids act and dress like little kids. I see 4th and 5th graders looking like street walkers nowadays. I always figured their folks didn’t know, cause they put it on at a friend’s house, but I guess I was wrong. What IS the world coming to? Sad, isn’t it? 😦
One more reason I am glad I don’t have a girl. But honestly, if I did, I would have no problem at all saying no to her. That’s what parents do, right? Say no. Now days, that’s wrong. So many parents want to be their kids’ friend. I know a lot of parents who encourage this, and worse things.
I’m all for playing dress up and getting all dolled up for fun, an 8,9, 10…year old should never leave the house with it on. Even at 12, they are children. I have 2 nieces this age, and both are allowed to wear make-up. There are differences though. One, she wears some powder and a very light lipstick, almost in a nude color. The other one, who lives with her father full time, wears mascara, bright lipstick, dark eye shadow. OH, and off subject just a bit, Halloween costumes. My 12 year old niece (the one that lives with her dad), was a punk cheerleader, and her midriff was showing, the same one that was also wearing dark make-up. They’re just kids! I know they want to act older, but parents need to put their foot down and say NO! It’s not hard, I do it all the time. 😉
I think I was heading into 6th grade when I started to wear a little cover up and lip gloss. That was it. I don’t think I wore mascara until I was 14 or so. I was never and still am not one to wear make-up and when I do, it’s pretty much the same as then. Foundation, mascara and chap still or lip gloss.