A recent market research report says that teens (13-18) and young women (18-24) have decreased their use of cosmetics.  But tweens (8-12) have increased their usage of certain products.

Tweens have increased their use of mascara from 10% to 18% and eyeliner from 9% to 15%.

Personally, I think 8 years old is a little young for makeup.  Maybe just a little bit for special occasions for 12 year olds.  One of the services I like to do is mini-color analysis on 12-13 year olds, focusing on the use of personal colors in makeup.  I can gently point these young girls in the right direction.  They are much more likely to listen to me than to their mothers.

What do you think of the use of makeup by tweens?  Have you any experiences with your own daughters?  When did they want to start wearing makeup?  When did you think is the right age?