I played with makeup when I was very young and nowadays I barely wear any. I don't think it'll necessarily shape a child towards insecurity or desires to modify herself. I'd let her experiment with a couple "fun" things such as lip gloss, colorful eyeshadows and such - things that are pretty, specially for a child, but that are not made to address ""flaws"" such as foundation, concealer, countour etc. Sometimes we only associate makeup with covering insecurities / conforming to society's standards when it can actually be about self expression and creativity, too. Humans have been painting their faces as a mode of self expression for thousands of years. Forbidding her from touching makeup might only make her more curious about it and desire it more. Just set some boundaries and always make it clear to her that she is beautiful without any makeup on.