Daughter Again !!!

[hammerman]

Just need some impartial advice again about my 15 year old daughter.

She's a lovely kid, well behaved, got a good part time job, looks smart, good at school etc etc.

But she insists on absolutely plastering her face in make up. Yeah yeah, that's what teenagers do, i have no problems with that but my god, it looks hideous. I don't know what the brown stuff you put on your face is called but it's so thick on her that it makes her look orange. It's all blotchy and then her neck is white. Her eyes are caked in eyeliner and mascara to the point that it's started clumping on her eye lashes.

We've tried telling her until we're blue in the face. She sent my dad (her grandad) a "selfie" this week and even he said she looked gross. She has 2 older sisters who have both told her to stop wearing it.

What on earth do we do ? She's a pretty girl and doesn't need it ? Could it be a confidence thing.....my wife would put the dustbin out unless she has makeup on ?

Any suggestions before she starts getting the micky taken by her friends ?

Thanks...again

[margie04]

I have a grand-daughter of that age, who also has a heavy hand with make-up and takes no advice from anyone. I'm considering paying for a make-up session from a beautician (is that what they are called?) for her next birthday, in the hope that an outsider will have more influence.

[hammerman]

Good idea Margie, trouble is, her sister is a qualified beautician and has told her dozens of times !!!! Might get her to sit down with my daughter and try to show her what to do.

[wolf63]

It may have to be something that you just have to accept, grin and bear it. The more that you argue with her the more she will be determined to use the war paint.

She is 15 - think of all the exciting stuff ahead that you still have to argue over. Boys, GAP years etc, boys, holidays with friends, boys...

:-) Thankfully my little ones have four legs and a tail.

[margie04]

Best of luck, then! but I'm inclined to think that Family doesn't know anything, in the teenage world.
Would her sister contemplate taking on one of her friends as well? Then they could compare notes and see for themselves (herself) what looks best.

[Rosetta]

An independent beautician may be a better idea as big sister may be another family adult to rebel against

[Tilly2]

Does she have a birthday or something special coming up? Treat her to a makeover somewhere. They will do her hair and makeup and she will look lovely. I can't recommend anyone I'm afraid but a bit of professional advice might help.

If it's any help, they all do it. The sixteen year old girls at college all look the same and spend a small fortune on make up.

[Prudie]

I think lots of us have been there, she will realise in the future but if you are that concerned perhaps get her beautician sister to sit with her with a photo of herself and try to point out the real no-nos - tide lines, orange look, too much blush etc. After that I'd let her come to her own choice, you won't change it.

I used to use too much blush and my mum constantly told me I looked like a dutch dolly. I thought she was being rude and it went in one ear and out the other. Eventually I realised she was right but came to that conclusion in my own good time.

[rockyracoon]

Ooh a toughie, 15 year old girls know everything and think they look smashing when in fact they look ridiculous. I can't offer any advice except to say tough it out, she'll realise soon enough.

I wish you good luck as I have a 13 year old daughter and know I have all this to come. :0)

[ladybirder]

You could all fall about laughing when she comes into the room then she might get the message ........ OK perhaps not:-)

[pretty_snowdrop]

I am afraid it is fashionable at the moment for young girls to dress up to resemble drag queens. Nobody older than 18 will be able to persuade her to alter. She will work out on her own time what suits her and what doesn't.

[bhg481]

Teenagers are creatures who have taken a sabbattical from being members of the human race - they have completely different values from the rest of homo sapiens. Ignore the problem - it will go away eventually.

[Eve]

If her friends do similar then, unfortunately, she is more likely to listen to them than anyone else and won't want to not join in.

Make up application has a knack and it can take a while to get right, especially a more natural look. What kind of makeup is she using? Cheap stuff may be making the situation worse.

I never got the orange look though some seem to love it (similar with the tanning obsession). I tend to avoid make up counters as they seem intent on making you look like you have a tonne of make up on. Trouble is, fads are usually obvious with hindsight, I remember well the fluorescent days, shell suits, dodgy perms....

Does she have any skin problems? Something she could be trying to cover up that may be way more obvious to her than anyone else, especially as she is at a very self conscious age, spots, large pores, redness etc... That could be a reason for plastering it on.

Some girls almost seem to see it as a mask. I know someone who used a lot of make up and would only take her make up off right before she reapplied it, said her partner had never seen her with no make up on, slept with it and everything.

[pastafreak]

I wouldn't say a thing. As others have said-its a phase peculiar to girls of a certain age. My daughter plastered herself in orange fake tan,overdid the eyeliner...her friends called her "the Egyptian"...wore hideous platform sandals, and had two-toned bleached hair. It will pass...though at the time you may be embarrassed for her...and embarrassed to be seen with her. Comfort yourself with the knowledge that she is only following her peers...and she's not the only one that looks so bad.

[ladyjayne]

Don't mention it anymore she will realise one day and will eventually listen to you. She is happy and healthy and that's the main thing.

[boxtops]

It's a phase - try to ignore it. The more you comment, the more she'll resist....

[pixie373]

It is the fashion at the moment. I had exactly the same with my daughter last year. She took no notice of us telling her she didn't need it. She has stopped now, with the foundation and just wears a little bit of eye make-up sometimes. She'll outgrow it. Don't worry.

[maggiebee]

Memories! Remember doing this myself in the 60s - face caked in pan stick, Dusty Springfield eyes and bright pink lipstick. M&S american tan tights finished off the outfit lol.

[anneasquith]

sorry, but shes 15. don't mention it.

[joko]

what about a make up guide dvd or book - something she can look at an learn for herself rather than feeling like she's being 'shown' etc

maybe even get her a special make up kit for her to try out

[joko]

my sis used to do this years ago - and when i pointed out the white neck - she just began to plaster blusher all over that and down her shoulders and arms too ... she was orange
she grew out of it

sadly its a bit of a particular fashion at the moment