During normal child development, it’s natural for kids to emulate and imitate their role models. They frequently choose to want to be just like their parents and caregivers, and it’s noticed when we see children talk on a smartphone, cook and prepare food in a play kitchen, drink coffee or tea that is served through their makeshift drive thru window, “buy” items by swiping a credit card, apply makeup, or by swaddling, breastfeeding and caring for their baby dolls.


However, the debate continues, as there is no hard and fast rule on when, as parents, we allow our children to transition from the pretend to the realistic.  At what age do you buy a smartphone, allow your little girl to wear real makeup, or agree to let your child cut food with a knife?

As parents it’s often a challenge to provide kids with an opportunity to engage in pretend play, that is as true to the real activity as possible. As a parent myself, I feel that an opportunity for a real device or experience should be earned with time, experience and maturity, waiting for the opportune time in the individual child’s development to accept a new responsibility. 

For children who are motivated and interested in these opportunities, searching for realistic pretend play toys is a must. That way children can feel empowered, as if they are engaging in a real experience. However, it is an activity that is rooted in an appropriate developmental play pattern.

Earlier and earlier, little girls are beginning to show their "fashionista" side.

In the preschool and early elementary ages, girls enjoy wearing adorable matching designer dresses that they can wear to match their favorite American Girl doll. However, the age at which children transition from pretend play into reality with makeup is still a huge debate. So, for younger children who are craving the experience of wanting to apply and wear makeup, either on themselves, applying it on their friends or on their dolls, Little Cosmetics provides the perfect, realistic opportunity for kids to engage in the pretend play makeup experience.

A Little Cosmetics essential set includes everything girls will desire in a play based make-up set, such as a powder compact with mirror and puff, lip glosses with a rolling applicator, eye shadows, trendy glitter pots, blush and a variety of applicator brushes that fit inside a sweet, yet trendy zippered pouch.

The “makeup” includes different types of textured foam, so when children “load” the makeup on their brush, they can engage in a more natural, tactile experience. Since Little Cosmetics is not really makeup, no color ever transfers onto skin. There are also 3 different foundation shades, making it diverse for children of different skin tones. Additional items can be purchased separately so girls can create their own unique makeup collections. The compacts and cases open and close easily, and not only are the items are the perfect size for little hands, the set has the look, feel and branding of a designer makeup brand.

Buy Little Cosmetics on Amazon.com for your toddler or preschool aged child.

Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.