What makes people look/appear younger?

[SmellyWellyWoo]

This is not a stealth boast! Ive been musing on this today. I'm in my early 40s and sometimes people think I am younger when they meet me. I've got forehead and 11 lines as well as crow's feet. I'm very average in looks. Don't wear a lot of make up. Not polished or overly groomed.

I do have brightly coloured hair and stretched ears (had them for years). I also have naturally very thick dark eyebrows which are in fashion at the moment. I wonder if these help?

I also wonder if it's down to a perception of women in their 40s looking a certain way? I didn't used to get as many people thinking I was younger in my late 30s.

Or maybe it's something that everyone days out of politeness? 🤷🏼‍♀️

Skin, hydration, posture, attitude, dressing in current styles and often subtle Botox and fillers.

Honestly, I just think people are being polite.

It's a socially acceptable flattery that we all use. I do it myself.

Having said that though, the right hair, clothes make-up, white teeth and slimness can all contribute to a youthful appearance.

I think not dressing too smart or 'moneyed-looking' makes someone look younger. Jeans, trainers and a tshirt looks more youthful than a blazer and loafers etc

Staying thinner. In lockdown I put on a few lbs (I’m 45) - it went straight to my middle. I caught sight of myself by accident and my first thought was ‘fuck, I’ve got MIDDLE AGED MUM BOD’ - horrific. Have since lost the weight, regained my waist and now from the back I could pass as 30 (not from the front though, my face looks every bit 45) Only older women have that bulgey middle - once you succumb to that you’ll look older, no matter how good your skin is.

gets popcorn!

A forced smile helps loads. Misery is really ageing.

For me it's having a chubby face, I have no wrinkles or crows feet. Mid 50's and often mistaken for 10-15 years younger.

As a PP said, not having a bony face. I'm almost 60 with no lines. Also, upright posture looks younger than round shoulders. Dark eyebrows too, despite grey hair!

Notdoingthis I am all those things :)

I'm 34 but I think I look younger because I still dress like a student.

I have freckles and fat cheeks! 😂 I am fairly slim, wear decent bras to hide the sag 😬

Posture and sprightly - once you hunch and plod = Old

I think 90s / 2000s styles are very trendy at the moment. A lot of our students wear them.

I think being fairly slim and having well looked after hair and skin.

Posture, facial expression, energy.

I also wonder if it's down to a perception of women in their 40s looking a certain way?

I think a lot of it is this.

I'm 47 and people are often surprised and assume I'm up to 10 years younger. I don't know why - I think I look my age 🤷🏻‍♀️

However, I'm a bit 'alternative' - but not massively so. I have long dark hair and wear 14 hole DMs etc and I think people look at the overall image and think, "Women who are nearly 50 don't look like that," so they assume I'm younger.

Tbh I am fat as feck (size 18 ), no dress sense or style, don't wear make up or do my hair, yet no-one believes I am in my late 40s🤷‍♀️

Interesting and i think you're probably right. Never thought about this before.

I think many people look younger than their age right up to about mid 40s then it does tend to catch up with you unfortunately. (With some exceptions obviously)

Yes I’m a little bitter! I would regularly get mistaken for 28/29 right up until 40 but now at 46 I think I probably look about that, or maybe that indiscernible ‘in your 40s’. I think 43 is the most common age for women to seek cosmetic treatment as that is when ageing can really accelerate.

I think most women in their late 40 look exactly that. Work or no work.

I think heavy make up is ageing.

I have a 60yo aunt she looks so young! If you see her walking by, you'd think she is a highschool student. She is a tad short, thin, exersices, never smoked or had a wild fun life. Also, she works inside (she is a kindergarden teacher). When I ask her she always replies with "drink lots of water and always remove your make up before bed time".

I don't know, when we go out together she looks like my little sister it's annoying 🙄😂

Oh yeah and I have straight white teeth

Basically you look younger because you actually look younger .

Lots of people my age have shocking teeth. !

Some people just do, I don't believe it's down to teeth/height/smiling more.
Staying out of the sun helps, and not smoking, but it's mainly down to genes.

genetics
facial structure

big eyes can help - I’m trying to think of a celeb who looks young due to this but escapes me

Also wonder about the small dc thing in pp as I’ve found that.

Being slim
Dressing young, see Jane Norman comment above.

Also, not to do with looks but tech - if you're good at tech stuff people assume you're of a certain age. I mentioned Spotify the other day - then people are surprised I'm 40. I think if you're embracing tech you're automatically assumed to be younger

No Grey - I'm 51 but only have a few grey strands and have retained my dark brown hair plus it hasn't thinned , I think that makes me look less aged.

Not being grey helps a lot.

My two SILS's look older than they are and they have both hit it hard with the smoking and the drinking. Also neither drinks much water. They look older than 45/6.