If your wee one is fascinated by your daily makeup routine, she may want to put her confront on, too, just like Mommy. And compared to her plain erstwhile fingers and toenails, your pretty polished ones await positively dazzling. No wonder she'southward clamoring for her ain colorful cosmetics. Only is information technology safe to paint that little face and have a toddler makeup session? And are manicures for kids really harmless? Hither's the deal:

Toddler makeup

Making up your munchkin isn't likely to do any impairment, says the American University of Pediatrics. But 1- to 3-year-olds' peel tin can be extra-sensitive, and some cosmetics tin can crusade breakouts or even an allergic reaction. So if your girlie girl begs for some beautifying, consider these tips:

  • Check the ingredients. See a lot of words you can't pronounce? Those tongue twisters are probably the chemicals most likely to set off a skin condition similar contact dermatitis. When applying toddler makeup, cull products with but a few (preferably natural or organic) ingredients or products designed with sensitive pare in listen, like less-irritating mineral makeup and cosmetics just for kids.
  • Make toddler makeup sessions an occasional care for. Reserve getting dolled upward for playing wearing apparel upward instead of making it a regular occurrence. That delicate skin needs a breather betwixt girlie training days (and you have plenty on your mommy to-do list to get her personal makeup artist).
  • Take a "less is more" arroyo. Skip the full-face, pageant-princess look, and see if your tot will be happy with a simple swipe of Vaseline or (USDA-certified organic) lip balm ("ooh, shiny!") or a dab of mineral blush on her cheeks ("so rosy!"). Or requite her her own clean set of makeup brushes and allow her pretend to do her makeup as you lot do yours. That may be merely enough to at-home her cosmetics craving.

Manicures for kids

Like letting your tot clothing makeup, treating her to the occasional manicure — either at home or at a salon — isn't unsafe (and tin can be lots of fun for both of yous). It's fifty-fifty safer if you accept these precautions:

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  • Select a salon smartly. Since footling lungs are sensitive to stiff fumes, choose a make clean, well-ventilated nail salon for your sweetie's service. It's also a adept idea to go early in the day, before too many chemicals are circulating.
  • Bring your ain equipment. Besides choosing a spick-and-span salon, you need to make sure clean implements are used. If you lot're at all suspect near a salon's sterilization methods, bring a nail kit from domicile for your toddler. (Be sure you sanitize it with alcohol first.)
  • Skip the cuticle cutting. Those quick clips create potentially painful hangnails and open skin to infections. Push button your pipsqueak'southward cuticles back rather than allowing them to be snipped (that'southward good communication for your fingers, too).
  • Consider your tot's mood and maturity. Is she old enough to sit nevertheless during the manicure and while her nails are drying? Comfortable enough with strangers to let someone else tend to her hands or toes? If your itty-bitty beauty queen isn't quite set for the salon experience, practise a little at-home pampering. Use eco-friendly polishes, if possible — there are brands that are free of harsh chemicals like toluene, formaldehyde and DBP — and check out these other tips for toddler nail care.

One concluding thing: While it's normal for girls (and many boys) to be interested in getting gussied up, it's certainly not necessary. Then if y'all're uncomfortable with makeup or manicures for kids, you're non a bad parent if you just say no. Whatever y'all choose, be sure to remind your pint-sized princess that she'due south perfect the way she is. Heidi Murkoff