I feel like at 27 I am already past my "beauty prime"

[Ondasp]

This is obviously lighthearted. Hopefully I have a long and fantastic life ahead of me and this is so very shallow.

But. I feel like I am already past my prime beauty wise.

I am only 27, and yet my face lost that youthful and feminine vibe already. My features are too sharp and I have really dark eye circles even if I get plenty of sleep. My hair is kind of... lifeless. My body is still decent but I am starting to have a lot more cellulite than I used to. I think I should start exercising seriously if I wantto keep a good shape up. Because I work in an office, most days my stile is quite sober and, well.. boring I guess.

Only a handful of years ago I was young and attractive. I felt young and attractive. Only now I realize perhaps that was my "prime" time, and I am already past it

Anyone else feels the same?

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Ahhhhhhhhhh

I'm 50 and today I parked myself in a comfy chair while my beautiful, tall, lithe size 8 DD ( 14yo) stalked round the boutiques looking at clothes.
She'd look great in a binbag TBF.

I;m not bitter

I've grown to accept and love my body though it's seen better days, I'm still fairly fit. I'm a 14 top, 12 bottom, need toned.

I can't eat what I'd like (intolerances) and sports I used to love like horse riding are too risky.

My hair is lovely though, I keep it short and hennaed.

I would look at photos of me when I was 27 and think "Oh, if only you knew to make the most of it"
But I'm now half a century, older,wiser, 2 fabulous DC (my DS and DD) and lovely DH.
And still some of my marbles

[Piemernator]

I am a lot older than you, we do all lose that youthful glow but there is no reason whatsoever to not still be attractive at any age.

You cannot compare yourself to anyone but your contemporaries age wise if you really must compare. One of the greatest beauties I have ever met was a woman of 70 but she had an out of this world level of beauty that almost no one has at any age.

One thing you can do is walk better, it gives an air of confidence and also makes your body look better, many people have terrible posture. I was taught to walk correctly with books on my head by my Mother. I was a model when I was young so skirted around the edge of a world where looks really were everything. The contract I signed forbade me to change my weight or get my hair cut unless agreed. Imagine the pressure of that.

[CoolToned]

I'm almost 38. I've always been called young lady, Miss, but the other day, a young boy called me "mam". It was, uhm, ego-shattering.

Lighthearted thread! :)

[Ondasp]

cooltoned yes when someone calls me "mam" something inside of me dies a little

Only 3/4 years ago it was so different!!!

[MarianneSolong]

Do you think you should get out more? Find a few interests? It doesn't seem as if staring in the mirror thinking about your hair and your 'feminine vibe' is making you very happy.

NB. I'm just over twice as old as you are and currently enjoying swing dancing...

[absolutelynotfabulous]

I don't actually think you've even hit your prime yet! I felt best in my early to mid 30s.

I'm 56 now and still trying. I'll never give up trying, no matter what.

I get what you mean, though, I think. It's the thing Jane Austen calls "bloom".

At least it's not quite the same commodity now as it was then.

[junebirthdaygirl]

I'm in my 50s and haven't reached that stage yet in my mind. I rarely look in a mirror so lm obviously totally deluded. But l still get lots of compliments and am far more confident than at that age.I know what colours suit me and shapes. I keep my hair nice. But the main beauty secret is smiling. Keep a big smile for everyone and you will always be beautiful. Be interested in everyone around you and you will still have that shine when you are twice you're age. Failing eyesight totally helps too!!

[dudsville]

Hm, I suppose we all age differently but you might find your perspective changes when you get a little older? My mid 30's to mid 40's has been the best. I used to be too thin, no curves or bust. Now I'm more hour glass, my greying hair is interesting where my previous natural hair was so boring I coloured it. Lots of things about the way I look are better now.

[TheRealAdaLovelace]

maybe you are too critical of yourself.
Look at pics of Nigella Lawson - obviously she was lovely when she was young but she actually improved with age IMO.
Look at pics of Diana at 18 and at 35....
Your face will lose its plumpness but that doesnt have to be a bad thing.

[WaffleOverload]

You sound very self absorbed. Maybe try and find a hobby or something to make you not think about 'feminine vibes'

[dangerrabbit]

I hear what you are saying but you are very Young. Maybe excercise will help your face restore a glow?

[Trills]

Anne Elliot in Persuasion was certainly past the first flush of youth at 27.

[specialsubject]

Princess diana is a good example - she was vacant and gormless looking in her early 20s but was a real stunner by the time of her death . ( sadly she didn't develop sense along with her beauty or she might still be here).

Also look at Helen mirren at 63 , and compare with the slightly younger Carrie Fisher. Lesson - don't have surgery!!

Cellulite is beauty industry babble for normal skin texture. Ignore.

Generally - get away from the mirror and smile. Works wonders.

[CoolToned]

Ondasp - last year, around this time, I was always a "Miss" or a "young lady!"

But yesterday, a girl at the mall called me "Miss" so that was nice. But like you, the "mam" makes me die a little too :)

[MiyakoOdori]

I feel the same at 26 but i invested in a good day and night cream and sacked off the cheap make up which was a leftover habit of my student days!

[CoolToned]

That said, I added acid (glycolic from iHerb and then Paula's Choice) starting early this year, and I think my skin is better now than during the start of the year when I had surface dryness. The skin needs help to turnover at this age, apparently.

[MaisieDotes]

You might need a good multivitamin and/ or an iron supplement OP, that might help with the dark circles and the lank hair.

70isalimit I have that scenario going on although my size 8 DD is now 15 and I'm only 40 < joins miniature violin chorus >

waffle this is the style and beauty board, in case you hadn't noticed?

[Trills]

There are different ways to "look good".

Being 23 is certainly one of them, but few people can keep it up for long.

[Fairylea]

27?! at 27 you're still really young. Not teen young but certainly still a young woman. Maybe you need to update your hair, make up and clothes?

I'm 36 this year and sure I will never look 18 again but as someone upthread said you can look beautiful at any age. There's nothing wrong with looking the age you are. We can't all be 18 or so forever.

[MargotLovedTom]

I noticed I lost my 'bloom' after having three DC in quick succession, so you can imagine my top tip .

I'm in my 40s but never been called ma'am in my life. Are you all royalty, or in the deep South?

[IncidentalAnarchist]

Yknow, I'm not as pretty as in my mid-late twenties, but in my mid-late thirties my sense of style, knowledge of my face and what suits me is soooo much better and I think I look better.
It's all what you make it. I'm not afraid to try new style things, evolution rather than revolution, and always get compliments

[ChardonnayKnickertonSmythe]

FFS.

[toadgirl]

I know what you mean, OP.

I think it's about losing collagen.

"Collagen is the protein that makes up around 75% of skin, and is key to its structure and elasticity. But after the age of 20 or so, we lose around 1.5% of our collagen every year. "

www.theguardian.com/science/2015/sep/27/nutricosmetics-drink-make-skin-look-younger-science

[toadgirl]

Check your diet is up to par.

As you get older, you don't get away with stuff like bad eating, too many nights out, late nights, etc.

Get some new clothes.

Take up a hobby that you've always wanted to do, but shied away from. Travel. Make new friends with new perspectives to shake you up a bit.

Just being happy and having a zest for life really helps everyone's looks. When I am in a bad relationship, I look so much older. When I leave and am happy single again, it's like I've had a facelift.

[WaffleOverload]

What's stylish or beautiful about banging on the you're past your prime at the ripe old age of 27? Nothing

It's self absorbed and nonsense. Good luck with being in your 30s and 40s