Mom Ceaira Fritcher went viral after posting a TikTok video titled “GRWM Kindergarten” that shows her daughter Evie, 6, doing her own makeup
Fritcher’s post prompted flak as viewers disagreed with how much makeup Evie put on in the clip
Since its posting on April 1, the video has garnered close to 20,000 comments
Should there be an age restriction on makeup? One stay-at-home mom didn’t think so until a TikTok video of hers showing her young daughter applying a full face of glam garnered mixed reactions on her parenting.
Texas-based influencer and mom of three Ceaira Fritcher was scrutinized after users saw her 6-year-old Evie applying blush, eyebrow gel, tinted lip balm and eyeliner as faux freckles. But speaking with PEOPLE following the virality of the post, Fritcher says that there’s a lot that strangers get wrong just by watching her and Evie’s TikTok videos, a few of which show the pair doing their makeup together.
“We know our boundaries and what not to do. Every parent’s different with what they want to do or teach,” Fritcher says when asked about the misconceptions that trickle into her comment section. “Off of a two-minute video, people are saying, ‘Oh, what a horrible mom,’ and this and that. That’s fine, I understand they’re going to have their opinion, but, it’s crazy to see what people are saying, putting their time into [sharing their opinions on] a child putting makeup on with her mom. It’s just mind-blowing to me.”
She is, of course, referring to the shame-filled comments — many of them accusing her of allowing her daughter to grow up too fast — flooding her recent video, which has since gained close to 10 million views and thousands upon thousands of opinions since uploading the clip on April 1.
Fritcher admits to being at fault for using the title she did and says that she steered viewers into thinking that she actually allowed Evie to wear that much makeup to school. However, here’s where she clears the air: Contrary to what people may believe, Fritcher almost never lets Evie step out in public looking like she did in the video.
“The only places she’ll wear makeup is to my parents’ house 10 minutes away or sometimes maybe to the grocery store,” she explains, adding that the branding of the post was “not what it was [in reality] at all.” She clarifies: “Her teacher knows she doesn’t look like that when she goes to school. She’s not allowed to wear that to school at all. I’m not crazy.”
Related: Michelle Monaghan Shares the Heartfelt Reason She Lets Her 16-Year-Old Daughter Do Her Makeup (Exclusive)
Ceaira Fritcher
Ceaira Fritcher and Evie
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Fritcher adds that Evie started off using children’s makeup before experimenting with the legitimate products she uses now. Still, she’s very cautious about what she puts on Evie’s skin because Evie has eczema. “It’s not like she’s just putting a full face makeup on every single day and leaving the house. That’s not what it is at all.”
As she’s faced with criticism on how she’s raising her kids, Fritcher adds that the hate hits home when she thinks about Evie. “If she could read, it would make her feel like she’s doing something wrong. I feel like it would make her go down a little hole and feel like she’s just doing something wrong. So, that gets me upset.”
She continues: “I know I’m a good mom. What makes me upset is that they [the viewers] think they know Evie or me off of this little video. Them making their own narrative is what makes me mad. As a mom, I wouldn’t go on anybody else’s page [to criticize], especially over makeup.”
Related: Jenna Bush Hager Says 11-Year-Old Daughter Mila Has Some Impressive Makeup Skills: She’s a ‘Little Bobbi Brown’
Ceaira Fritcher
Evie Fritcher
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Beyond the noise, Fritcher is happy letting her daughter — who has dabbled in beauty products since she was 2 — use makeup as a fun creative outlet. All she can do — and hopes to do — is foster a loving household that’ll teach Evie the power of confidence.
“There’s always going to be a mean person, we all deal with it. But, as Evie gets older, she’ll get more mature and know how to deal with it the right way. That’s what I’m trying to teach her, confidence in anything. And if she doesn’t want to [post a video on social media] because the comments are hurting her so much, then obviously doesn’t have to do it, but, she might be like, ‘You know what? Screw it. I don’t care.’ If you love something, then good, you do what you want to do.”
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