When should I start wearing foundation?

“You’re beautiful just the way you are.”

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A phrase we’ve all heard from our parents, and it’s always true of course! But right now, chances are your child is being exposed online, at their friends’ house or at school to endless products that promote beauty or other kinds of visual transformation.

And let’s face it, even a parent’s sincere compliment can’t always compete with the allure of the steady stream of marketers and influencers pushing gleaming lip-gloss, colorful characters and virtual perfection. (At least that 1980’s bright blue glitter eyeshadow trend is gone and more natural styles are in!)

While interest in makeup begins at a young age and tends to rise in middle school when kids engage in character-play and emulate older children and adults, parents may wonder what age is appropriate to allow their kids to wear makeup. Parents may also wonder how to keep kids safe and healthy once they do decide to allow it.

“The first rule of thumb is to have an open discussion about makeup as soon as your child expresses interest,” says pediatrician Eva Kubiczek-Love, MD. “As with any new activity as your kids grow, parents need to establish expectations, set limits and understand the psychological and health impact of these permissions on them.”

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What’s the right way for kids to wear makeup?

While there’s no right or wrong age, the proper way for your kids to wear makeup depends on your family’s perspective and the accepted practice in your child’s community. And making sure you’re okay with these norms ahead of time can help in your decision making. If children are involved in dance or cheer competitions for example, makeup may be more prevalent in their social circles.

“Also it’s always a good idea to ask your kids why they’re interested in makeup, encourage them to have fun, and expect that you may need to tell them when you think too much is too much,” Dr. Kubiczek-Love says.

Regardless of when you allow your kids to use beauty products and cosmetics for special occasions, play or for regular use, there are five tips that apply to any makeup wearer that are especially true for your child’s younger, developing skin.

According to Dr. Kubiczek-Love, parents should help their children:

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1. Buy safe products. “Many cosmetics, including those labeled ‘natural’ and ‘organic,’ aren’t regulated to the standards parents might expect,” she says. Shop for products with the fewest ingredients, and avoid ingredients you think are harmful. Check out the Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep® database, where you can search for items by brand name or product category, and choose products based on safety rating.
2. Start with less. Ease into wearing makeup. For a preteen, maybe start with lip-gloss. Over time, add powder foundation or other products. Don’t dive in with heavy lipstick and eyeliner.
3. Watch for skin irritation. Reaction from cosmetics can be as mild as skin redness or as severe as hives and swelling. Most symptoms appear quickly, says Dr. Kubiczek-Love. If they do, remove the product — and don’t use it again. In case of hives or swelling, give your child an antihistamine and call the doctor. Allergic reactions appearing on your child’s face could spread to his or her airways. If your child is wheezing, has abdominal pain or is vomiting, get medical care immediately.
4. Go easy on sensitive or acne-prone skin. Steer away from heavy, oil-based products — especially creams, lotions and foundations — that can aggravate acne, eczema and other sensitive skin. Use an oil-free concealer on acne. And, above all, follow tip No. 5.
5. Maintain a healthy skin regimen. Skin care is important for any adolescent, especially those wearing makeup. Teach your child to:

• Wash their face every day with a mild cleanser.
• Avoid antibacterial soap and exfoliating agents. Harsh products can damage young skin and cause acne flare-ups.
• Remove all makeup before going to bed.
• Replace cosmetics every six​ to 12 months to minimize risk of contamination.
• Avoid sharing cosmetics, which can increase the risk of contamination and infection.

“The most important things is to teach kids that makeup is meant to enhance their appearance, not change or overpower it,” Dr. Kubiczek-Love says.

Benefits of applying foundation first

If your aim is to even out your skin tone, you’ll probably want to apply foundation before concealer. A major pro for applying foundation first is that you’ll usually have to use less concealer to perfect your skin’s complexion afterward. Additionally, if you were to use a thick concealer underneath a thin foundation, blending the foundation out could cause your concealer to move and lead to patchiness. When you apply concealer on top instead, it’s less likely to disrupt your base.

How to apply foundation before concealer

Begin by applying a foundation like L’Oréal Paris Infallible 24 Hour Fresh Wear Foundation, an ultra-thin liquid that goes on smoothly and gives your skin a fresh, even, and healthy-looking appearance. After you’ve blended your foundation, you can add a concealer like the L’Oréal Paris Infallible Full Wear Concealer up to 24H Full Coverage to help correct any areas needing extra coverage or highlight your face.

Pro Tip: You’ll want to ensure that your foundation and concealer have a similar consistency. For example, you wouldn’t want to apply a liquid concealer on top of a powder foundation, as it could cause pilling or spotty coverage. When using powder foundation as a base, this is one of the special instances when you should apply concealer first and foundation last.

Benefits of applying concealer first

Color-correcting concealers are a major exception to the concealer-or-foundation-first debate. These products (often found in colorful hues like peach and green) should be applied before foundation and flesh-toned concealer to help neutralize discoloration and create a more even-toned appearance. This way, your foundation can mask any hints of color left behind by the color correctors.

If you aren’t sure why you’d want to use a colorful concealer in the first place, think back to learning about the color wheel in art class. You may remember that colors positioned opposite on the color wheel cancel each other out. The same principle applies to makeup. You can simply look at the color you want to disguise, then reach for a concealer in the contrasting color to help counteract that tone. To balance out any red or purple pigmentation, opt for green concealers or yellow concealers (respectively).

Underpainting is another trending technique where you apply blush, brightening concealer, and cream contour before foundation for a more natural and blended look. Our how-to guide on underpainting makeup can teach you exactly where to apply concealer when using this method.

How to apply concealer before foundation

For color correction, use a small concealer brush to blend your concealer onto problem areas. You can also pat in the formula with clean fingertips or a makeup sponge. Some concealers (like the L’Oréal Paris True Match Color Correcting Crayon) come in convenient stick forms for a more targeted application. No matter which formula you choose, we always suggest starting with a light layer and adding more until you reach your desired coverage. Once you’re satisfied, you can go ahead and apply your preferred foundation.

When using concealer to disguise dark circles, just dab a little on your under-eye area before applying foundation. You can then add another light layer on top of your foundation to help brighten that area even more.

Concealer or Foundation First: The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, do what works best for you—whether that means applying foundation or concealer first. With so many TikTok creators introducing hacks into their makeup routines, we wouldn’t be surprised to see more and more people reversing the order of their foundation and concealer. If you’re someone who likes to keep things simple, you can stick to the basic rule of foundation first. Or, if you prefer to experiment with your makeup routine, try switching it up and see what you prefer.

Next Up: ​​ Where to Put Concealer: A Guide to Concealer Application