I will never forget being a girly girl when I was little! I can’t remember a time when I wasn't painting my nails with teddy bear nail polish or doing my makeup with my barbie toy pallet makeup kit. There was even a time when my family took family photos and all I wanted to do is play with the photographers makeup (she even took photos of me putting it on :))
When parents these days don’t allow their little girls to wear makeup, or nail polish, or even braid their hair, it makes me sad. Being a girl is of course more than these things and I understand parents are worried about their children gaining self-complexion issues, however kids 99% of the time will definitely have issues with the way they look either way. I believe allowing children to come out from the rock they are pushed under by their parents, and allowing them to explore options with the way they want to look, will allow them to better get over their issues in the future.
For example; when I was in Jr. High I went through a horrible “scene kid” phase, I wore black, heavy makeup, and neon colors. By the time I graduated Jr. High and over that summer, before starting High School, I realized that I was just wearing a mask and people could care less what I was wearing or doing because they were actually more concerned with themselves. I realized being part of a internet norm wouldn't make people like me any more than they did. So I stopped, and dressed more appropriate, got my hair back to blonde, and grew up.
The reason I believe I got over my phase so quickly, between two years, is because I was able to be allowed to be me and to think about what I wanted, not what everyone else wanted.
Let your children be who they are not who you want them to be. If your little boy or girl wants to wear makeup, suck it up and let them, it can’t do anything but help. If your embarrassed, if someone scoffs while your in the store, or judges your parenting, realize your letting your kid, be what it is, just a kid.