Make-up and perfume for preteens, suggestions please.

I agree with others. I think 11 is much too young.

I certainly wouldn’t be encouraging, if it was my granddaughter.

As far as I can work out Lush and Superdrug are the most popular places for my early teenage DGDs. They seem to collect the light sprays and paint their nails that's all.

I'm not sure there still is a 17 range.
If there is, there is a lipstick I'd love to get, because mine has been going for about 5 years, and I'm worried it'll run out in the next couple!

Boots do a range called 17, that is aimed at the younger generation. I let my daughters (now 25, 27 and 30) wear a little mascara and lip gloss when they were first year at senior school (so around 11) I also taught them 'less is more' lol . Now none of them wear much make up at all!

We asked Mum as Little Mix had a range specifically targeted at this age range and they’d been to see them in concert. Bought Little Mix face glitter and highlighter along with their calendar- granddaughter loved it.

The NYX range in Boots is very good and affordable. They do a butter gloss which I really like and is not a lipstick. At 11 perhaps a nail polish something glittery for Christmas would be nice.

Pre teens? No, no, no.

Personally I hate to see a child with makeup on. It's like painting over the Mona Lisa. And I'm sure they don't intend to look sexy but it does send out that sort of message.

Morphe is excellent quality and very reasonable, also NYX (a bit cheaper )..both available in Boots larger branches or online, . The young girls today are very clued up, they watch the U-tube tutorials and like to copy them. Both those brands are popular and very on trend right now and they will be very impressed with your choice!

And 11 year old girls just want to fit in with all the other 11 year olds.
Mascara, nail varnish is sending out a message? Really
Sexualisation?

Ariana Grande perfume. Make-up Revolution (buy at Superdrug). Morphe (Boots or website) make-up.

There are lots of books about fun art projects for her age group. If she likes make-up she might find she loves art.

I'm not sure why make up is regarded as sexualising a woman/girl.

When an older woman puts on a bit of make up, is it sex she has in mind?

Surely there is some deeper issue to that kind of thinking?

Could the fun of shopping and picking have a lot to do with it.

I agree with twiceasnice about encouraging them not to use it, my granddaughters were not allowed any make up until they were 14 then it’s just clear lip gloss.

Oh good, let's encourage our granddaughters to focus on appearance and sexualisation!

Isn't lipstick actually accentuating the mouth to resemble a vagina? And aren't dilated eyes a sign of sexual arousement? Or what IS going on?

Personally this Xmas I'll be asking the granddaughters what trip they'd like to take with me or what book they'd like.

Try Superdrug - the Revolution range has some nice eyeshadow packs, its good quality but reasonably priced on 3 for 2 at moment.

Another vote for skincare here. I’m sometimes horrified by the amount of makeup worn by some of my 12 year old granddaughter’s friends. She only wears a ( slightly) tinted lip balm.
One of them appeared a couple of weeks ago with those awful thick black eyebrows and acrylic nails!

I would echo the "get her started on skincare" theme. Good skincare is the basis of beauty. If the canvas isn't right no amount of paint will improve it.

Paperbackwriter, there is no " merely play". Play is immensely important for children living and learning.

Make up is a part of life for most women and a girl might learn how to use it. My objection is a about the attitude that girls are okay if they grow up empty headed just as long as they are pretty.

The general advise is just mascara, lip gloss, nail varnish for pre teens. No foundation or even eyeshadow.
Benefit is a really good brand , but expensive as is Mac and Bobbi Brown. MUA from Superdrug is pretty good, as is Makeup Revolution. Both cheap but decent quality.
Why not pay for her to have a pamper at a salon - if only a manicure or pedicure or for her to have a special cut and blow dry at a hairdressers?
At a young age, it's really just experimenting.

Bodyshop does a limited range. Their fruity shower gels and lip gloss might fit the bill.

LullyDully wearing make-up isn't 'sending the wrong messages'. Your statement that they should 'be careful' is horribly close to victim-blaming. Surely those who see 'a message' in make-up should be the ones having a word with themselves about what they're inferring? A child of 11 is merely playing with the stuff. (Though I have to say I wouldn't buy it for my grandchildren - let them be children while they have the chance)

No idea but you sound like a lovely grandparent, wanting to give something they would love even if you don’t quite agree yourself.

I wore lippy and thick brown eyeliner (must have looked a sight) from about 11 too. My friend wasn't allowed any (strict religious parents) and, of course, I toned down my look by my later teenage years, whereas she rebelled and wore an awful lot of slap!