Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Meadowfinch · 22/05/2026 12:48

30
I was happy, successful, better groomed, better dressed, better fed, had access to endless hot water and was still baby faced.

At twenty, I was a penniless student who couldn't afford hair conditioner, emery boards or decent food. My clothes were jeans and a tatty sweater.

Monty36 · 22/05/2026 12:47

Early twenties. But I didn’t realise it. Slim body , no sag. No lines. Nice slim arms and legs. If someone had shown me a picture of myself now I wouldn’t have believed it.

CaptainCorelli · 22/05/2026 12:45

25 to 35

dollyblue01 · 22/05/2026 12:35

I’d say from last year so 40 as I suddenly had more time for myself , better paid job and was happier in life , also started the gym , eating better and stopped doing things just to please other people.

Growlybear83 · 22/05/2026 12:34

Im 68 and I think that overall, I probably look the best that I have since I was 18. Ive become increasingly confident about my appearance as Ive got older, can afford the sort of clothes I never could when I was younger, and am comfortable with my body. I’m fortunate that Ive inherited my mum’s good skin, and like her, I had never used any sort of skincare products until the last five years when I discovered beauty advent calendars. I lovd having grey hair, and whilst it’s always been long and almost straight, Im bemused to have found that it’s suddenly gone curly over the last year. In one of the handful of times Ive been to a hairdresser in my adult life, I can remember paying a fortune for a spiral perm, and now people keep asking me if I’ve had one! 😆

myglowupera · 22/05/2026 12:30

My early to mid 20s. I was genuinely happy with life and that’s why I looked the best I’ve ever looked. Stress, grief, anxiety, ill health can all play havoc on your looks which they did.

Goditsmemargaret · 22/05/2026 12:27

23 and 39. I looked bad at 32-35, was living an unhealthy lifestyle. I'm 48 now and starting to look very well again.

Sartre · 22/05/2026 12:27

31, I’m only 33 now but I haven’t been looking after myself well enough thanks to depression and life stresses so I don’t look as good as I did 2 years ago. I know I can get back to that, it just takes energy and patience- neither of which I currently have!

Morepositivemum · 22/05/2026 12:26

Any age up until 2 years ago (am 46), hair and eyebrows started thinning, hair turned a very dirty grey and skin decided to go in another direction. Also my black circles are now huge!!!

FreshBreadSmell · 22/05/2026 12:26

25 to 27 for me!
I had long thick wavey hair and beautiful curves of course I didn't appreiate them and longed for pin straight hair and skinny catwalk model look.

ConstitutionHill · 22/05/2026 12:26

I reckon at about 41 - 44. Fit, better sense of what suited in terms of hair and clothes. I'm 57 now and I have gained a few kilos and my face has melted a bit! 🥴

glaciercherry · 22/05/2026 12:25

Before children! I feel like my ageing has suddenly gone on x10 fast forward since having my second baby

GTTSR · 22/05/2026 12:24

Late teens early 20s …as per PP, I didn’t appreciate it at the time either

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 22/05/2026 12:21

Mid 20s through to 30s. 40 wasn’t bad either.

Original poster
Grilledchicken · 22/05/2026 12:19

I felt great a year ago! Must be just having a down day!

OP posts:
UniquePinkSwan · 22/05/2026 12:15

Right now at 49. I may have some wrinkles but I have no grey hair and I’m going to the gym and building muscle. I have never felt better or more confident

Zoraflora · 22/05/2026 12:13

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

Swipe left for the next trending thread