Page 14 - Masala Lite Issue 164 August 2024

14 SPILL THE CHAI

SEPHORAKIDS

How tween parents are navigating the
world of beauty in the age of AI filters,

TikTok, and teenage influencers.

BY KIRAN KHANIJOW

remember when I was little kid in the 90s, makeup was just something to play
around with. Using it every day was kept for the grown-ups, and owning all the
flavours of the Lip Smacker, given to you by anyone who visited the US, was PARVEENA KUKREJA, 42
the trendiest thing to do. Today, however, it seems like the beauty industry, society, Entrepreneur
and social media has swayed young girls into telling them that it’s important to
look “flawless,” always.
It is very natural for little girls that are
developing into young adults to become
Scrolling through YouTube a few weeks ago, I saw a pre-teen influencer baking,
self-conscious and focus on the way they
contouring and using shape tape; creating a full-face ‘glam’ look that also included
look. As a mother to two girls aged 9 and
false eyelashes. The products being used were Mac, Fenty, Laura Mercier and
10, I’m very neutral and open to them
Tarte – the kind of look a professional makeup artist applies on me when I have a
experimenting on things like skincare and
big reception party to attend. When I was that girl’s age, all I used was Johnson &
makeup, as long as the products use natural
Johnson baby powder, because everything else was considered “too mature” by
or homemade ingredients. I try not to worry
my own mum.
about products that are used externally,
Applying makeup is an art and a form of self-expression, and from an artistic point of such as for hair, lashes and brows, as these
view, the girl did an excellent job. However, how much is too much, and how young have very little skin contact compared to
is too young? Sephora is now filled with tweens and teens, and there is a dangerous makeup and skin care.
trend of 10-year-olds using retinol and anti-aging products. Skin care products like
It is natural to have different perspectives
Drunk Elephant and Glow Recipe are so aesthetically packaged that they appeal
on this. The girls are growing up watching
to young girls everywhere. The products and ingredients however, are not meant
influencers on YouTube who are trying to
for them. Dermatologists, too, have begun talking about this risky practice and the
push sponsored products and drive sales.
negative effects some of these products have on skin.
They are very convincing! The influencers show before and after content, but we don’t
How do some mothers guide their growing girls when influenced by beauty trends? know how real it is due to filters and editing. Instead of using sponsored products, I
Do they set boundaries or give them the green light to use all the products and encourage my daughters to make products at home using natural ingredients, and
learn from their own actions? Masala interviewed a few to find out. seeing how they feel on their skin. Ingredients such as yoghurt, cucumber, aloe vera,
and essential oils usually work beautifully. We make yoghurt and Aztec clay masks and
face and lip scrubs. We also make lemon, honey and aloe vera baby oil. There are also a

DAISY SACHDEV, 49 few brands that make a line of children-safe products that are more gentle to sensitive
Baker (@delightsbydaisy) skin. I check the ingredients and sometimes agree to give those a try.

So ultimately, it’s a balance of both. If my daughters are convinced that a product they
As a mother to a teen, my perspective want is appropriate for children, I take them shopping. We try on samples together and
on makeup is one of education and check with the sales representative at Sephora. This method is extremely effective. Once
caution. Having two daughters, aged 23 we do a patch test, some products react to their skin instantly. They immediately know
and 13, I have seen a remarkable change that it’s a bad idea and realise that some brands are not recommended for young children.
in skincare and beauty trends. When my
older daughter was a teenager, skincare BHAVNA DAWAR, 40
routines were simpler, often limited to Part-Time Teacher
basic moisturisers and cleansers. The focus
was on clean, hydrated skin. In contrast, As a mother to a tween, I see how
my younger daughter is growing up in a my daughter’s interest in skincare
world with an array of beauty products and and makeup has grown. It’s a
trends, many endorsed by influencers and delicate balance between allowing
social media. This makes it crucial for me her to explore and ensuring she
to guide her in making informed choices understands the importance of age-
about what she applies to her skin. appropriate products. She has always

My perspective on makeup is that it been fascinated by makeup, often by
should enhance natural beauty without watching me apply it. To guide her
compromising skin health. With the through this, I provide information
variety of products today, I try to research and encourage personal exploration
ingredients before their use. I encourage within safe boundaries. We have open
my daughters to prioritise skin care over conversations to understand her
makeup, stressing that healthy skin is feelings, setting guidelines on what
the foundation. The three of us share a types of makeup are appropriate for her.

commitment to natural beauty, but our For instance, she currently uses lip
approaches differ. gloss and mascara. I teach her how to

My younger one, influenced by trends, is apply these products by emphasising
eager to experiment. I support her curiosity that ‘harmless’ items can cause issues
but ensure we thoroughly investigate if used incorrectly. By instilling these practices, I aim to balance her curiosity with
products first. Guiding her involves the importance of maintaining her natural beauty. Young skin is delicate, and doesn’t
providing knowledge and allowing her require the same intervention as adult skin. I educate her on the three basic steps
to learn through her actions. I empower of skincare, and discourage everything else as they can be too harsh and potentially
her with information about product damaging. I also talk about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle which includes proper
ingredients and their effects. This approach helps her understand the importance hydration, a balanced diet and adequate sleep – these are the true foundations of
of wise choices while respecting her desire to explore. Disagreements are common, beautiful skin.

but I handle it with patience and open communication. For instance, if she wants Ultimately, I believe in allowing my daughter to have fun with makeup and skin care
to try a trendy product, we might agree on a trial period to observe its effects. As a without going overboard. I hope to help her make informed decisions and develop a
mother to a teen in today’s world, my approach balances education, guidance and healthy relationship with beauty products. Makeup and skin care are forms of self-
respect for individuality. By emphasising natural products and open communication, expression and self-care, not necessities that define her worth. I constantly remind
I aim to empower my daughters with the knowledge and confidence to make healthy her that with or without them, she is beautiful and that is the most important lesson
beauty choices. that I can impart.

MASAL A LITE ISSUE 164 - AUGUST 2024