Is This Normal?. Darcie Johnston

       Makeup

      Dear American Girl,

      My mom says I can’t wear makeup till I am 12.

      Is she right?

      Old Enough?

      There is no “right” age, but

      some girls start to wear a little

      makeup in middle school. Moms

      and dads often don’t want girls

      starting earlier for reasons that

      have to do with your health and

      even your sense of who you are.

      For example, parents want their

      daughters to feel pretty without makeup first so they learn to use it the right way: to enhance their natural beauty instead of covering it up. Also, you should already have a habit of washing your face every morning and evening before adding makeup to your routine. You can respect your mom’s rule and have fun talking together about the makeup you’ll start wearing once you turn 12.

      Dear American Girl,

      I am 13, and my mom says I can start to wear makeup.

      I’m super excited, but what should I buy? Do you have

      any advice?

      Don’t Want to Look Fake

      Start slowly with products that are natural looking, such as a clear pink

      lip gloss and clear or brown (not black) mascara. Powder or foundation

      on your face is for when you are older, but try an oil-free concealer

      on blemishes, dabbing it on the spot and then smoothing it gently

      with your finger. For special occasions, you might add a smudge of eye

      shadow in a color that’s not too bright or dark. If you want to be bold,

      experiment with nail polish colors. Ask your mom or another adult for

      help choosing the right products to keep your skin healthy—the look

      of real beauty.

      Dear American Girl,

      I’m 13 and have the worst under-eye circles ever, no

      matter how much sleep I get. I usually put a concealer

      on them. Is there any way to get rid of them?

      Hannah

      If the skin under your eyes is thin or fair, it’s easier to see the tiny blood

      vessels that create the look of dark circles. The problem can be made

      worse by lack of sleep, because this slows your circulation down, causing

      blood to pool in those tiny vessels around your eyes. Circles can also

      be caused by hay fever or other allergies, which cause the blood vessels

      to swell. Try to get at least nine hours of sleep every night. If you have

      allergies to pollen or pets, talk with your parent—and your doctor—

      about treatments, and keep pets out of your room. With your parent’s

      help, you could also try a drugstore eye cream for circles. If you use a

      concealer, apply the eye cream first and let it dry. Then lightly dab on

      a liquid concealer that matches your skin color and gently blend it in.

       Ear Piercing

      Dear American Girl,

      I have been asking Mom for a couple of years if I can get my

      ears pierced. Nearly all my friends have their ears pierced,

      and last year I was the only girl in my class who didn’t. What

      do you think is a good age to get my ears pierced?

      Ready for Earrings

      Any age that both you and your mom