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Original poster

AIBU to wonder what age most people felt they looked best?

92 replies

Grilledchicken · 22/05/2026 12:12

I have recently turned 36 and feel like I am starting to lose my looks.

out of curiosity what age did you feel you looked your best?

OP posts:
Goldongold · 22/05/2026 16:00

41 was a hot year for me. I was happy so I got to my best weight and happy because I got to my best weight, skin glowing etc. downhill since 2020 sadly

Jk987 · 22/05/2026 15:54

30’s and early 40’s.

TheyGrewUp · 22/05/2026 15:53

16-34ish.

Jane143 · 22/05/2026 15:50

40’s once I’d got rid of abusive husband

AImportantMermaid · 22/05/2026 15:16

Early 30s. I looked very young for my age not in a good way - I looked like a spotty teen (possible Elhers-Danlos) and was asked for ID in bars up until the age of about 28. After that I sort of bloomed.

canuckup · 22/05/2026 15:12

Today 😊 😁

VickyEadie · 22/05/2026 15:11

Late 30s. I'd lost a shedload of weight, found the hairstyle that suited me best and my face finally looked how I thought it should!

Stoicandhappy · 22/05/2026 15:11

Early fifties I looked great. And early twenties. My forties were a write off

Savvysix1984 · 22/05/2026 15:09

Around 33 for me.

Hotpants123 · 22/05/2026 14:33

Now aged 60 - a few wrinkles, skin a bit loose but you know what I look great.
Have lost weight, do weights, hair coloured, a bit of gradual tan - life it good and it shows. I look in my 50's/60 not years younger. Haven't dabbled with Botox and filler but never say never

5foot5 · 22/05/2026 14:23

Zoraflora · 22/05/2026 12:13

Id say early 20s but obviously didnt think so at the time!

Spot on this. I never felt confident about my looks when I was younger. I have long been at the age now where I am comfortable in my own skin and perfectly accepting of how I look. However, some old photographs recently surfaced and there are some of me in my 20s. If only I could speak to my 20-something self and say"Wow you look great, have more confidence in yourself"

BleedinglyObvious · 22/05/2026 13:58

I keep thinking i couldn't possibly look any better but I seem to surpass perfection.

ToadRage · 22/05/2026 13:55

In hindsight 17, I had clear porcelain skin, blonde hair and a perfect hourglass figure, but i wasn't vety confident. Now I am 39, my skin isn't great, my hair is dull, damaged brown, just starting to grey and I am about 6 stone over weight, but confidence is better.

MmeDubois7 · 22/05/2026 13:52

40-45

Thewalrusandthecarpenter · 22/05/2026 13:49

I get more random compliments from strangers now (56) than ever in the past. Could be sympathy of course - but I’m happier than I think I’ve ever been so possibly that.

InterestedDad37 · 22/05/2026 13:48

January 19th, 2019 🙂

Curro · 22/05/2026 13:47
  1. I was swimming a lot and had a great figure.

Unfortunately I wasted it on my complete knobhead of a boyfriend at that time.

Wickedlittledancer · 22/05/2026 13:42

Now, I’m mid fifties, I was usually a size 12, sometimes a ten, close to 5ft 7, but no muscle as such, and no money to really dress well

now I’ve grown my hair, it looks healthy and shiny, long, my skin is good and I’m a size eight with visible muscle tone. I get a lot of compliments from women and a lot of attention from men, I dress well and know what flatters.

maybe it’s also confidence, as that plays a large part.

3678194b · 22/05/2026 13:33

Early 30's and IMO that's when I think most people (who I know) looked their best. This is naturally, without fillers etc.

LumionaMoonsplash · 22/05/2026 13:24

I think now, mid 40s. Even though my face is more wrinkled, I have time and money to spend on myself. Lost 6st, invest in my clothes, hair and beauty treatments. Freedom to go to the gym 5x a week. I'm sleeping more and drinking less alcohol. I always did make an effort with my hair and nails when I was obese but I now feel like it's easier to look put together now I'm a size 10 and not hiding my arms, legs and tummy.

HeidiLite · 22/05/2026 13:00

Face was best in late 20s. Body is best now, late 40s. I lift weights like there's no tomorrow, so am slim and 'toned', as people tend to call it. I prefer jacked or shredded. Hair, teeth, make up and style also much better now.

Gigglegiggle · 22/05/2026 12:57

32-36, diet was good, I ran a lot, had plenty of money to spend on clothes.

I do see pictures of me in my twenties and can't believe I wasted all that energy hating how I looked because I was a total babe.

I think I'm starting to look old now at 45 but I'm also really strong so that's good!

Enjoyout · 22/05/2026 12:54

I love how I look now at 46. HRT patches are magical 👏

My hairdresser does an amazing job. I have Botox every 6 months. Since Xmas, I’ve lost the 30lbs extra I was carrying for the past 8 years. My primary age children sleep well and are fun (and easy) company. DH and I are in a good place. I’ve figured out what makeup looks good and how to blow dry my hair (thank you Dyson Airwrap). I’ve got more time now to indulge in “an everything bath” once a week, so grooming is no longer something I rush!

I feel slim, sexy and bright. Age 45 wasn’t so good, I cried a lot last year for some reason 😂 The estrogen and mounjaro thankfully fixed whatever wobble that was!!

Mammyloveswine · 22/05/2026 12:52

Between the ages of 27 and 32 I looked great! Got married, had two babies in quick succession but I was so slim and glowing!! I’m 39 now and 6 months sober and starting to look better again but nothing like as good I used to look! Weirdly though I feel more confident and comfortable in my own skin and get a lot more male attention (not that I need any validation from any man btw!!)

Helpforsummer · 22/05/2026 12:49

When I, probably, looked best to others and when I felt I looked good for my age and when I felt best in myself are 3 totally different things for me 🤣

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