Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 12:24     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
Good life lesson about accepting gifts gracefully but that different families have different rules. If you don’t intend to ever use it, just firmly say you are putting away until she’s x years old, or donating it, or whatever. And then it’s not up for discussion bc she knows it’s not happening.

This shouldn’t be a big deal. It’s not a bad gift - many parents are fine with little girls wearing makeup for dress up in particular. If you’re not, just convey to your daughter.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 11:45     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
Anonymous wrote:My kindergartener received a makeup kit for her birthday from another girl in her class and asks me every day if she can wear it. Kindergartners don't need makeup. Now it's a fight every day and I have to spend my whole morning saying no to her. Don't buy kids makeup.


This did not happen.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 11:45     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
Anonymous wrote:^^HA! Super idea to tarte up the gifter and send her home.


It can be tastefully applied. The little girl was probably so excited to give your daughter this gift, maybe invite her over on the weekend and they can put it on together.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 11:38     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is a pretty common toy for kids this age. It's not because they "need" it. It's meant to be for dress up at home, just like dress up costumes. Does a kindergartner "need" an Elsa from Frozen costume? No, but many have them anyway for fun.

If you don't like it, get rid of it as you would any toy your child received as a gift but that you don't approve of.

But fwiw, I think it was actually beneficial for my kid to play around with make up at that age, it turned it into something fun but unnecessary for her, and she still feels that way 10 years later. She has never gotten the message that she needs to wear makeup and usually doesn't, but she and her friends sometimes have fun with it and it's very much for them not for "the male gaze" or whatever. I don't think it's essential kids play with makeup but my experience is that it doesn't harm them either.

There are very few parents who are against dress up clothes, but plenty who think makeup is inappropriate for kids.


And those parents are making a distinction between "face paint" and "clothing" that doesn't exist for the children. My daughter also received a makeup kit for her birthday. She used exclusively the orange and black sections to turn her face into a tiger. Please explain to me the inappropriateness of that use of the gift.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 11:34     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
Anonymous wrote:This is a pretty common toy for kids this age. It's not because they "need" it. It's meant to be for dress up at home, just like dress up costumes. Does a kindergartner "need" an Elsa from Frozen costume? No, but many have them anyway for fun.

If you don't like it, get rid of it as you would any toy your child received as a gift but that you don't approve of.

But fwiw, I think it was actually beneficial for my kid to play around with make up at that age, it turned it into something fun but unnecessary for her, and she still feels that way 10 years later. She has never gotten the message that she needs to wear makeup and usually doesn't, but she and her friends sometimes have fun with it and it's very much for them not for "the male gaze" or whatever. I don't think it's essential kids play with makeup but my experience is that it doesn't harm them either.

There are very few parents who are against dress up clothes, but plenty who think makeup is inappropriate for kids.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 08:55     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
I explained to my kids that wearing play makeup is bad for your skin (true) so we only do it for a short time as part of dress-ups then we have to take it off. Then on the weekend a little before bath time do her makeup and let her do it on you then let her take photos of the artwork and then show her how we need to clean our fave thoroughly (baby wipes work well)
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 08:51     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
I feel really strongly about this because my dad used to really come down on me for wanting makeup, high heels, or anything like that. When I was 7 he told me I only wanted pierced ears to attract boys.

I think it’s fine to have a rule of no makeup for school. But during play/dress up, I don’t restrict it at all.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 08:39     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
Anonymous wrote:This is a pretty common toy for kids this age. It's not because they "need" it. It's meant to be for dress up at home, just like dress up costumes. Does a kindergartner "need" an Elsa from Frozen costume? No, but many have them anyway for fun.

If you don't like it, get rid of it as you would any toy your child received as a gift but that you don't approve of.

But fwiw, I think it was actually beneficial for my kid to play around with make up at that age, it turned it into something fun but unnecessary for her, and she still feels that way 10 years later. She has never gotten the message that she needs to wear makeup and usually doesn't, but she and her friends sometimes have fun with it and it's very much for them not for "the male gaze" or whatever. I don't think it's essential kids play with makeup but my experience is that it doesn't harm them either.


Finally, a voice of reason emerges.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 08:25     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
This is a pretty common toy for kids this age. It's not because they "need" it. It's meant to be for dress up at home, just like dress up costumes. Does a kindergartner "need" an Elsa from Frozen costume? No, but many have them anyway for fun.

If you don't like it, get rid of it as you would any toy your child received as a gift but that you don't approve of.

But fwiw, I think it was actually beneficial for my kid to play around with make up at that age, it turned it into something fun but unnecessary for her, and she still feels that way 10 years later. She has never gotten the message that she needs to wear makeup and usually doesn't, but she and her friends sometimes have fun with it and it's very much for them not for "the male gaze" or whatever. I don't think it's essential kids play with makeup but my experience is that it doesn't harm them either.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 08:17     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
Turn it into a bath toy so you can clean it off of her right away. Even better if said bath toy "accidentally" falls into the tub and gets ruined.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 08:14     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
^^HA! Super idea to tarte up the gifter and send her home.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 07:36     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
"It's a toy for at home play." If she asks about wearing it to school again you will put it away all together. Also consider a playdate with gifter where they can do makeovers at home.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 07:31     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
Just toss it.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 07:22     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
Then toss it! Or tell her it's just for playing dress up on the weekend.
Anonymous
Post 05/27/2026 07:19     Subject: Makeup for a kindergartener
My kindergartener received a makeup kit for her birthday from another girl in her class and asks me every day if she can wear it. Kindergartners don't need makeup. Now it's a fight every day and I have to spend my whole morning saying no to her. Don't buy kids makeup.