How to Convince Your Parents to Let You Wear Makeup: A Guide for Tweens

Question
Hello,

  Hey! I'm Fernanda and I'm 12 years old and in 7th grade. I want to wear make-up but my dad insists I'm too young to wear right now. He says that I will ruin my skin and that it will look like my parents don't care about me. I told him that I would look prettier but he gets really mad when I say that. I understand that he is my dad and that he feels bad when I say that I look ugly but it's the truth. How can I convince my dad when he is really strict and stubborn.? By The Way: He is very opinionated... he almost never changes his mind...</3

Answer
Hmm. I'm not sure what I can tell you to change your fathers mind. I am not trying to give you any sort of "ammo" to argue with him (because I've learned it's pointless to argue with parents) but just so you'll know, make-up will not ruin your skin. I also wanted to start wearing make-up young but wasn't allowed. I started off with tinted lip glosses, and a little pressed powder. And as I got older and older my mom let me add more, I also got a job at 15 and started buying it on my own, so as long as it wasn't crazy she didn't bother me about it.
Why do you feel ugly? If you are breaking out and have acne and want make-up to cover it then you should get your parents to take you to a dermatologist and clear it up. Living with acne will hurt your skin by leaving behind scars. You shoudl find a feature about your face that you like and concentrate on that. Maybe you have really great lips, or long eyelashes, or a good eye shape. Then when you are allowed to wear make-up you can accentuate your best features. Sometimes too much make-up on a young girl can be ugly. YOu never want to look like you're trying too hard. I know all of this info might not help your dad change his mind, but I'm not sure what to tell you to help with that. Maybe there's a therapist expert that can give you some pointers on communication. It really upsets me that you say you're ugly, because I think everyone has their own beauty, and you have to see it and own it and be confident in yourself.  
Griffin