Dear Wal-Mart

Dear Wal-Mart,

I'm curious. Where exactly was your head when you decided that girls between the ages of 8 and 12 should be wearing make up? Oh, it was up your rear? Well as long as we are clear on that.

When, exactly, did you decide that girls between the ages of 8 and 12 were sexy or should aspire to be sexy? Because I'm really unclear about this.  Don't you talk about how you're a family owned business with small town beginnings who look out for employees? I'm pretty sure encouraging the young daughters of said employees to dress as hookers does not encourage family values. In case you were unsure.

At almost 8, my daughter plays with my make up, yes. I have even given her my old make up to mess with on weekends when I know we are not going anywhere. She has occasionally left the house with lipstick on for a quick Starbucks run. But this make up was not purchased for her to be used as a corrective or enhancement cosmetic. It is not an everyday necessity, as you would have these girls you are marketing this line of make up to, believe.

Girls between the ages of 8 and 12 should be thinking about which doll they want to tuck in next to them as they go to bed. About which Barbie is special enough to make the trip to their friends house. About how to successfully annoy the crap out of their siblings. They should not be thinking about how to correctly highlight their cheekbones, apply lip-gloss or eyeliner.  And they most definately should not, in anyones twisted mind be thinking about anti-aging produtcts. (oh, yes. You read that correctly.)

 (go check out the eco friendly, organic products here:  http://ecosalon.com/walmart-geo-girl-cosmetics/ )

What in the hell are you thinking? Again, I ask, where exactly was your head when you decided that these girls needed make up? Do you think Toddlers and Tiara's is a show we as mom's aspire to have our daughters on? Because we do not. I understand that you, as a coperation want to make money. But have you stopped to consider that you are seriously exploiting these young girls?

And yes, I know that parents have to be the ones to actually purchase the make up. And parents will purchase it. Which just makes me want to vomit. Sadly, I think it is insecure moms, who are uncomfortable with themselves, and who buy into the whole 'hollywood is achievable' theory that will be buying this distasteful product. Thus perpetuating this vicious circle. So, congratulations. Job well done. I'm sure you will make a killing on this, all the while effectively killing a whole new generation of girls self confidence.

Thanks for everything,

Kim