Member Questions

No way, that creeps me out.
But who knows, lots of ladies here have had daughters in dance, have experienced it and are ok with it, so I really have no basis for my answer except what I am feeling at this moment!

I'm opposed to makeup on a three year old. I'm not sure what the "right" age is, but three years old definitely isn't it. While it may be a commonly accepted practice for dance performances, we should ask WHY -- is to make girls meet a certain standard of prettiness? Is it for theatrical purposes? If the boys aren't required to do it, I'd argue it's not really for theatrical purposes...and that's very bothersome. I think one of my jobs as a mom is to help my daughter feel comfortable in her own skiin; makeup at a young age runs contrary to that thinking.

That being said, I am in the same boat with the original poster. My plan is to have my daughter participate in the recital -- that way we finish what we started. We will explain that makeup is for the stage only and will remove it as soon as her performance is over. After that, we'll look for dance studios that don't have such requirements!

Ok...time out, ya'll! The make-up is for theatrical purposes. Jen S, I'm taking it here that you've never had to be involved with a recitial. 1st off...if it's anything like what most are, you're going to be sitting in an audieance and your daughter will be on-stage, probably >100 feet or more away from you, under theatrical lighting. Now, add that with trying to film the recitial from the back of the audiotorium or theatre, and you will most definitely start to understand. The reason for the bright red lipstick is that otherwise her mouth, i.e. lips, won't show up and all you'll see is a figure, no facial expressions. Believe me, there is a reason for all this. I was skeptical once, also. But my daughter took dance from age 3 to age 14. By the last 2 years, I didn't have to deal with staying back stage to do makeup and strip her multi-layers of tights in various colors to go with various costumes (and YES, you can layer 3 pairs of tights and it doesn't matter - the bottom layer is the last dance )

Guarenteed, your daughter may look like a garish doll close up, but on-stage, under the lights, it's a totally different matter.

Oh, and YES, the boys wear some makeup as well. They have to, to be seen.

Three-year-olds are babies. They should not be wearing makeup (except as a couple of the moms have indicated, a weeny bit of gloss to pretend they're big like mommy). What you've described is iin no way "minimal". Whatever the rationale, what they're doing is suggesting that it's normal and/or appropriate for a toddler to wear makeup.

Toddlers are perfect, just the way they are. Why do they need to be "improved"? What message will that send to her, if not now, then in a few years? It churns my stomach into knots, just thinking about it.

They are having us purchase a particular Mary Kay foundation and lipstick that she must wear - the lipstick is bright red! They said that "Girls look better on stage with make-up" - but I keep thinking, why does she have to look better? Who does she have to 'look better' for? What message does that send? I do understand that stage lights wash you out, etc. but it seems a little crazy. And I'm not 100% buying the whole 'stage' reasoning because they are also requiring it for the recital photos, which are no different than normal studio photos. I was just caught off guard by it and trying to figure out if I am reading too much into the message it may (or may not) send. I thought I had a few years before I had to deal with these kinds of things! I do appreciate your comments - thanks!

I think nail polish for fun is ok. I think very light lip gloss is ok. Other than that why would a child need make up. Their skin should have no flaws at this age. I think it is ridiculous they are demanding your child wear make up.