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AIBU?

AIBU to ask at what age did you start to look 'old' and what did you do about it?

252 replies

fortunatelynot · 03/01/2020 22:33

Shamelessly posting her for traffic as I am now fed up of ALWAYS looking tired.

I am 43 and I think I now look 'old'. Of course those little lines have been gradually creeping up over the years and at times I've looked in the mirror and thought I looked a bit haggard, but, with a bit of make up and extra sleep, things have always fallen back into place and/or make up hid them.

Seriously - at what age did you get the crows feet, laughter lines and bags? And what did you do about it?

I have worn sunscreen for a few years but didn't as a youngster. I have never smoked and I don't drink much (although used to). I sleep pretty well and work out regularly. I take my make up off each night and put on moisturiser. My diet is reasonable. I admit I'm not exactly obsessed with maintenance but I don't think I'm neglectful of myself either. I work long hours in a stressful job.

Genuinely interested to hear of anybody who has succeeded in making themselves look less tired or any anti ageing tips I'm missing!

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ClappyFlappy · 03/01/2020 22:35

I am 46 and I don’t have much in the way of lines or wrinkles but over the past couple of years I think I am looking definitely older. My features are hardening, I just think I look more hard than I did in my early 40s.

As for my hair that’s been grey and been dyed for years.

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Oly4 · 03/01/2020 22:36

I’m 43 and began to think I look old a few months ago! Make-up improves it a bit but not much. I’ve definitely lost that youthful look. Have no current plans to do anything about it.. I don’t believe miracle creams work!

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NK1cf53daaX127805d4fd5 · 03/01/2020 22:37

I'm nearly 43 and am interested in tips also. I'm told I look younger but I admit I don't look after my skin at all. One of my resolutions this year is to take way more care of myself.

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ComeOnGordon · 03/01/2020 22:39

I started using an oil cleanser to wash my face. I use it 6 mornings out of 7 - leave it on for a few mins then wash off with a wet flannel and on the 7th day I use a very gentle exfoliating wash. I really feel it’s slowed down the aging process on my face

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missmapp · 03/01/2020 22:41

I'm 47 and use more cleanser/moisturiser , especially in my hands which seem to look really old. Probably too little too late though !!

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MissMarks · 03/01/2020 22:42

Come on Gordon- what is the cleanser called??

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fortunatelynot · 03/01/2020 22:45

Yes I would be interested to know what the cleanser is called, and this might be worth a try especially as I am prone to dry skin.

Think I might need to start exfoliating too.......

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bohemia14 · 03/01/2020 22:48

Over 50, and I would say the same for my friends. All through my 40s I could pass for much younger but now I'm in my 50s I would say I look my age.

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ComeOnGordon · 03/01/2020 22:49

I’m not in the UK so it’s no use telling you the one I use. There are plenty of oil cleansers in Boots tho. You don’t need much - a 5p size blob is enough - so it lasts for ages.

I feel my previous cleansing routine was making my skin too dry which was making my wrinkles worse but this makes my skin feel clean but not dry. I still moisturise afterwards with a normal Oil of Olay and never have the feeling of having dry skin.

(I’m mid 40’s btw)

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ComeOnGordon · 03/01/2020 22:50

I’m really cautious with exfoliating - think that dries out my skin. So I use a St Ives very mild exfoliating wash once a week and quickly moisturise afterwards

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HeyLala · 03/01/2020 22:52

Same as you @bohemia14

Over 50.

It's not the crows feet or other wrinkles - it's the jowls and looking sad / pissed off.

I have to ensure I smile a lot 😁

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OverByYer · 03/01/2020 22:54

I use a Dr Manuka oil cleanser.

I’m 48 and until a few weeks ago thought I was aging well.
All of a sudden I look old and tired.
It’s my eyes and hair.
My eyes look really puffy all the time.
My hair looks dry and crispy.

I take a lot of care with skin care but feeling my age at the moment

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TheCoolerQueen · 03/01/2020 22:54

I started to look old at 42 but by 45 my eyesight was so shit I couldn't see my wrinkles anymore.

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BaileysMadeMeDoIt · 03/01/2020 22:55

When I hit the menopause in my early 50's. I had a face lift!

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MiniGuinness · 03/01/2020 22:55

Do you have enough sleep? I looked worse in my 30s when my arsehole kids were teenagers. They are grown now and I actually look much better, more rested and less stressed. I drink lots of water, I sleep loads and I spend a fucking fortune on my hair 🙄. I do have good skin and take good care of it, I don’t use expensive products particularly. The bags do go I think and I no longer have a permanent frown.
I also love sleeping masks, they feel fabulous when your skin is feeling dehydrated. Oh and gradual tanner on my face perks me up in the dreary winter months.

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Ikeameatballs · 03/01/2020 22:55

I’m 41 and I’ve really noticed it this year.

I had cheek fillers and Botox in September. I loved the very subtle effects but the Botox has worn off now. I’m going to have more, probably in spring.

I’m going to go grey gradually through reducing the brunette and adding ashy highlights. I’m not sure if this will make me look younger but I get sick of the roots.

I’m wearing less make-up, certainly trying to wear a lighter base layer.

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NearlyGranny · 03/01/2020 22:56

Move to Australia where you'll look at least a decade younger than other people your age! Sun does terrible things to skin over time. I always feel much more gorgeous than normal whenever I'm here. 😄

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fortunatelynot · 03/01/2020 22:56

Thanks comeongordon, some good tips there.

I haven't got jowls at all and my neck is fine. I just look well, so tired and I didn't used too. I go to the gym a lot and my body (apart from my boobs after having children) hasn't changed and I've always been slim. My friend said she thinks I am noticing it more because I have a 'young' body! Not sure that is the case, but I still want to look less tired!!

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Bluntness100 · 03/01/2020 22:57

Gosh I'm 51 and think I look fine. In fact on New Year's Eve someone took some photos of me and I was surprised I looked so ok. In a Reiss sleeveless top and skinny jeans. I'm a size ten to twelve , have long dark wavy hair, and due to a Mediterranean heritage am not prone to wrinkles.

I'm sure others look at me and think ancient, who cares, self confidence and self esteem is everything. I smoke, And I use simple wipes to take off my make up, but my make up is expensive. I have no idea if I look my age, younger or older, and I don't give a shit either. I think I look ok and that's all that matters.

It's not about tricks, it's about self esteem and confidence.

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TheoneandObi · 03/01/2020 22:57

I'm v v nearly 54 and only in the past year maybe have I felt shit I look old. It's not the wrinkles (not many of them due to good sub hygiene). It's the jowls. I have to smile all the time or I look sad. I really think it's menopause that does it. Mine hit at 52, and almost overnight I looked older!
But hey. I'm still here, so that's good!

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MiniGuinness · 03/01/2020 22:59

I think there is some truth in the face or arse thing. I looked about 25 last year when I was two stone heavier. (But from behind I looked very matronly 😂)

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fortunatelynot · 03/01/2020 23:00

Gradual tanner in the winter months is a good idea - I am pale and definitely look worse in the winter - miniguiness- which tanner do you use?

I THINK I get enough sleep. I sleep well and heavily because I'm basically exhausted each night but maybe need to try to get more? Not sure I can fit everything else in though!

For those who said they 'suddenly' aged - I would imagine this is hormonal?

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CrotchetyQuaver · 03/01/2020 23:00

I think hair colour can be very ageing sometimes. I honestly think I look better since I let my hair go it's natural grey rather than colouring it. It was a blonde colour, not dark which I think can be very unflattering on certain skin tones. But the blonde hair always made the worst of my pinkness, my skin looks a normal colour now.
I also think "less is more" is absolutely vital with makeup as we get older.

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MiniGuinness · 03/01/2020 23:02

At the moment I am using clarins drops, so I can control the amount as I don’t want to be really tan at this time of year. I read on here that the body ones are fine for the face (because they are going in your regular facial moisturiser) and you get twice as much for the same price.

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ShinyMe · 03/01/2020 23:03

I really don't know when I started looking noticeably older - early 40s maybe? I'm 47 now and definitely looking older. I'm not doing anything about it though, just carrying on with my life pretty much as I was before.

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