Make Up Parties for children...how appropiate

[tinkerbell0185]

Hi Guys,
I am a new mother trying to gather up some work!
I am thinking of starting a princess pamper party for young ladies! In this party it will have a mini make over, mini manicure, and hair style. It will include princess party food, and create your own tiara?

As mothers how do you feel about this concept and also what would you expect?
Also how much would you pay?

[~Emmylou~]

I'll be honest, I have a 4 year old girl and I wouldn't let her go to a party like that, and I wouldn't hold one for her either.

But I'm not sure what age group you're angling for - if done the right way perhaps it could work for 8 or 9 year olds...but even then, the messages it sends make me uneasy.

But I'm sure there will be alot of people along to tell you that they don't see anything wrong with it ;)

[NibbleCurlynBub]

There is already a company that does that,they do their own Princess Pamper Party (I believe that is actually what it is called) where the kids get mini-facials, foot massages, hair washes and cuts and stuff like that.
They all get bath robes to put on over their clothes and little tiaras as well.

Those ones don't include make-up at all, if they did, I wouldn't be interested at all either. They concentrate on making the girls feel pampered..

So yeah, someone has actually already thought of and perfected the idea.

[Whispers]

My dd is 3 and a half and would love that.She always wants to wear my make-up and loves dressing up.I think its a brilliant idea :yelclap:.

I'm thinking of stealing your idea for her next birthday.:laughing:

[Whispers]

There is already a company that does that,they do their own Princess Pamper Party (I believe that is actually what it is called) where the kids get mini-facials, foot massages, hair washes and cuts and stuff like that.
They all get bath robes to put on over their clothes and little tiaras as well.

Those ones don't include make-up at all, if they did, I wouldn't be interested at all either. They concentrate on making the girls feel pampered..

So yeah, someone has actually already thought of and perfected the idea.

Just looked at there website and the first photo i seen was a little girl getting her makeup done so i think they do do there make-up checking it out now

[NibbleCurlynBub]

Really?

There might be different places that do it, possibly.. I saw it on the news a while ago and they said they specifically don't use make-up because they want to give little girls a positive body image and whatnot.. :detective:

[Whispers]

It says:

PAMPER PARTY

Treat yourself and your best buds to an hour and a half pampering session which includes a soothing foot spa, foot massage, hand massage and then your choice of nail polish to show off your pampered hands and feet.
Then how about a relaxing facial and having your makeup professionally applied to make you feel like a movie star?
While you are being pampered your girlfriends can alternate practicing their singing talents on our SingStar Karaoke and their dancing skills on our Playstation Dance Mat or they can make a bracelet or necklace with our selection of beads until it’s their time to be pampered

[Whispers]

I did find one with out makeup witha similar name may have been the one you were talking about

[NibbleCurlynBub]

Maybe, it was over a year ago and I wasn't looking to throw that kind of party so didn't take down the name. :o

But there we go, the idea has already been thought of and applied to a few different places. :)

ETA: Thanks for the link.. Honestly, it kindof worried me a little..

[JabberJaw]

I am going to go against the grain of things here and say YEP i would let my kids have one and attend one.

I think it is a neat idea really my 5 yr old loves putting make up on and being really girly ( *cough splutter* so does my 4 yr old son for that matter LOL) but i would probably pay $15- $18 bucks per kidlet for it.

My older daughter ( almost 12) would think it to be fantastic too, i would guess that a 4 yr olds party to a 12 years olds party would differ too, meaning it would be like dress up time for the younger ones but for the older girls maybe more of a lesson into caring for your skin and getting the gist of applying make up.....either way i still think it is a fun novel idea and some people dont agree with it but i think its a cool idea.

[misskittyfantastico]

Maybe from age 6 I'd let DD attend such a party. Would never host one, because I think I could do make up, toe nails etc myslelf.

[tinkerbell0185]

Thank you for all your comments. It is really interesting. I think as with many things it comes to what you believe your child should be exposed and to what age. I for one think influences are every where, and it is not the make up, or pampering ideas that influence children's morals. Because no matter what they do or wear it should be stamped in their mind that there beauty is something that is inside and out.
The fact is media steals this away from our children. Take bratz dolls for example...has anyone seen what they wear?

I think that even 50 years ago little women always wanted to dress up as big women as they are trying to portray their idol, their mother.
If I was to hold a party it is simply embracing that.
I did love the idea of having one for 12 year olds, or around that benchmark to teach about skin care etc! That is great!

I do know their are companies out there already doing similar, and nothing wrong with a bit of competition...but I would definitely like to embrace more of the child's inner beauty in these parties rather than the focus on the superficial treatment. I for one don't think facials and pedicures etc are appropriate as it is something adults do and not something children need to obtain. I think attempting to keep the fun in it and the sense that it is a once off
"dress up", will also communicate it is not about trying to be an adult it is more dressing up on a casual basis. Comon...who did not play with their mums lipstick.

Any input to how to adjust these parties to communicate a deeper message but whilst keeping the fun in the dress up would be appreciated.

Also anyone who has teenagers, what would you believe a teenage girl would like?

Thanks!

[tinkerbell0185]

OOhh, and also I just looked at the Princess Pamper Parties. And I certainly dont mean make up like that, (for those who have not seen it the girls make up is very professional and makes her look like a teenager). I mean a little glitter, pink lip gloss...play make up.

[JabberJaw]

Well i have a daughter who is almost 12, if i was to have one for her, i would hope that maybe you would not only make it fun but maybe hint at the importance of caring for skin etc, not so much a full facial but maybe tinted moisturiser and lip gloss kind of thing! If that makes sense. My daughter always wants to wear make up which i have now brought for her, not because i wanted to so much but more because her friends where starting to get into it and although she does not wear it all the time, i was hoping to teach her how to apply it nicely and how to of course remove it etc. I would much prefer it that she applies it age appropriatly than walks around looking older than she is! LOL i wore make up (eyeliner/mascara/fondation) since highschool.

For my 4 year old, i would think kids play make up, make believe dress like mummy style! A fun 'pretend' type party i guess. I know my 4 yr old and her friends would love it, she is always asking for play make up and nail polish.

I believe your idea to be great, i guess make up gets taken out of context alot, it is, for small chhildren, more like a role playing/dress up type thing.

I honestly believe it is a great business idea, and i can see a high calling for it, it would beat a McDonalds party hands down! Good luck with it, i hope it all works out for you.

I could see that you would get repeat business from parties for sure, maybe instead of lolly bags the children could get some play make up,hairclips and of course a business card! Older kids could get lipgloss,a brush and some hair stuff too.

[Whispers]

Maybe have crowns and jewellery they can make to be a princess or have wings and wands they could make for a fairy just a couple of theme ideas.