If you are getting your nails done, why can’t I?” asks an eight-year-old as she watches her mother have sequins stuck onto her nails. “I want to get nail art done, too!”

As I examined my nails — sprinkled with glitter, and lots of it (not sequins, they are out) — she continued: “No, beta, you can’t, they won’t allow it in school.” But it’s holiday time now, the daughter persisted. The back-and-forth ended on a winning note, and no prizes for guessing who the victor was! It prompted a client whose hair was being cut to say, “Priscilla, there’s your next article — Six going on 16: salons and our little ones!”

But emulating mommy’s beauty routine is nothing new. Mothers have often made their beauty cabinets raid-proof from their little girls, eager to make the transition into tweenhood as prettily as possible. First, she tries on the shoes, then the make-up. The result? High-heeled shoes in which they can barely walk, eyeliner experiments that leave them looking like racoons, lipstick covering every bit of their faces but the lips. Most girls have tried it all, just as most boys practice the shaving routine long before that first hair makes its manly appearance.

TV channels too, are rife with images of girlie icons and young singing sensations who unabashedly go the whole make-up hog — from bouffants to winged eyes. These could quickly become the role models for a generation that seems to be saying: “Hello, if 40s can be the new 30s, why can’t teens be the new 20s? Or, if you can act younger than your age, why can’t I act older than mine?”

The beauty industry, quick to sense and create markets, has now come out with skin and hair-care lines targeting the 11-14 age group. I am not surprised to read that in some countries, 75 per cent of girls in this age group have used blusher, polish, shadow and lip-gloss, with 14 per cent of them doing it on a daily basis!

So “kiddie spas” are opening everywhere, offering everything from pamper parties including relaxing treatment for over-stressed kids, makeovers, skin and hair analysis and make-up advice. Mothers don’t think visiting these spas goes hand-in-hand with loss of innocence. Ask them about it and they say: “Arre, that went out of the window when we gave our kid a cellphone and an internet connection. Salon visits are exercises in innocence compared to that!”

While some mothers take their kid’s interest in appearance and grooming habits as a healthy sign, there is a growing concern among other mothers who feel their children’s self-esteem should be affirmed less by what is on the outside and more by personal achievements and other value-building exercises.

Which brings me to the question of the week…

• Hi, I am a 38-year-old lady who has a 15-year-old daughter who wants to have her hair permanently straightened as her birthday present this year. I am against it, as I feel she is too young, but she tells me that three girls in her class have got it done. What should I do? She has done very well in her exams so I want to make this a special year for her.

Malavika

I can understand why you are not too keen on letting her get her hair straightened. It is a chemical procedure and she is very young! I don’t generally recommend chemical procedures for those under 16, even though the chemicals involved in the straightening and permanent-waving processes — if done by a seasoned professional — never touch the scalp. The best way to get her over this phase is to invest in a ceramic iron, so whenever she feels the need to have straight hair, she can temporarily iron it.

You could pay a visit to a salon to get her hair ironed the first time, so she can see how it is done. Remind her that committing to a chemical procedure at so young an age will enslave her to it for the rest of her life, should she become addicted to the “straight look”. If you do want to treat her to a fun day at the salon for all the work she has put in this year, you can consider some of the other treatments on offer, such as…

Designer haircuts: This is a great way for getting her to feel like she has had a makeover. A well-styled haircut can work wonders for confidence building!

Face wash: This is like a mini facial, one in which the skin is cleansed, toned and moisturised. Ideal for a 15-year-old who may have experienced a break-out or two.

Petit manicure: In this procedure, the client is given a treatment similar to a manicure but with neutral shades of polish.

Nail art: Designs that you can’t even imagine can happen! Nail art machines or air-brush techniques can be used, topped with glitter and nail sequins.

Hair extensions: A perfect alternative to permanent highlighting techniques, with the help of heat, long strands of hair are attached to segments of your own hair. These are available in at least 500 shades.

Temporary tattoos: Many young girls and boys go through the phase of wanting to have a tattoo. A temporary tattoo might be the perfect way to indulge the impulse without having to regret it years later.

Hair ironing: With the help of a ceramic iron, the hair is made to look absolutely straight. Products are used before the procedure so you don’t suffer any hair damage.

Curling-tongs: The perfectly stylish, non-chemical alternative to permanent waving. Here again, styling products are used to ensure the ringlets hold for a while.

Scalp treatments: Ideal for the 13-18 year group, whose overactive sebaceous glands often lead to dandruff or greasy hair that sticks to the scalp.

Blackhead removal: Adolescence is a time for acne, blackheads and embarrassing zits that make an appearance when you least want them to. Their removal ensures the skin looks fresh and clean.

Send your beauty queries to t2@abpmail.com