Thread about appearance and ageing for MNetters age 58 to 63 years old

[LindorDoubleChoc]

I'm in this group and I find myself really noticing ageing in the mirror and in my friends, most of whom are my age too. Today I was driving locally and drove past a friend (who is actually 9 years younger) and thought how old she suddenly looked.

How does it suddenly gallop up on you? I look at well known people who are younger than me and feel genuinely surprised (Jane Macdonald, Bill Bailey, Nigel Farage, Hugh Bonneville, Johnny Depp, Mike Myers, Helen Hunt) - I thought they were all older than me and look older than me.

I think this ageing thing is really painfully noticeable in this age bracket, do you agree?

For me specifically it is marionette lines and thinning hair. I don't have loads of deep wrinkles or grey hair.

I think this ageing thing is really painfully noticeable in this age bracket, do you agree?

Nope. Don't give too hoots about the way I look, it's the way I feel that matters to me.

Haven't worn make-up for about 20 years, get too much sun and only shower two or three times a week. I'm an MN horror story!!

I'm a similar age and have aged a lot in the last few years. Menopause/hormones I guess. Oh well.

Raynauds late onset can be a symptom of auto immune disease so I would see your GP about your fingers.

Your white fingers may be linked to Raynaud’s disease (perhaps get that checked out?).

I'm 62 look ok for my age and just met a lovely man the same age as me. He's happy with my wrinkles, we're having a lovely time. I'm happy and confident in my own skin, I can't wait to drag him in to bed 😁

Top end of the scale. Looked good till sudden onset of health problems four years ago. Now very puffy faced, heavier as exercise is difficult and my eyes have aged! I still scrub up quite well but can’t be arsed on a daily basis as only the dog sees me.

When I don’t want to see the fine lines or general signs of aging I take off my reading glasses. I still feel 25 inside even if the body is creaking and groaning.

I had DS at 40 so still feel young because there’s no chance of grandchildren yet. I’m also lucky, being dark blond the white hairs are just lightening my natural colour. I thought I’d be white haired by now but probably a while off yet.

Fuck it, I can't be bothered to mind tbh. I am also a bit overweight, few lines, thank you genes, good teeth, again genes. But I don't bother with make up anymore, my hair is thin and white blond, and my neck and jowls are awful, too much sun, no SPF. I dress OK, but not smart. I don't have a beauty routine or spend any money on maintenance.

I live semi rurally so out walking most days, still love the sun, and gardening, fresh air. I am content.

@LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway I had DS when I was 42. He’s now 18. He kept me young at heart! I’ve been scrambling over playground equipment, play centres, cycling and bashed down Centre Parks rapids throughout my forties and fifties and it’s been great fun. As he was my only child, I didn’t know any different.

After a leukaemia diagnosis three years ago, ageing suddenly felt like a blessing rather than a curse. I now enjoy each birthday as it comes rather than meeting it with dread. I'm fortunate to be living a full and creative life. I have always looked after my skin and this has paid off. I do, however, sometimes catch sight of myself in a shop mirror and feel momentarily disappointed that my outward appearance doesn't match the way I think of myself inside (if that makes any sense). Who's that? Ah bugger, yes it's me!

I’m becoming more concerned about the growing number of aches and pains when I get up in the morning. I do need to lose some weight to take pressure of my joints, which may make me look more aged. I used to worry more about appearance but I think health and mobility is more important to work on now!

I'm 56 and my job has changed slightly so I’m. Working more frequently with people I last worked with 10 or 15 years ago, Christ we’ve all aged and I can see the shock on people’s faces when they see mr again. I try and keep my hair cut nicely (though it goes menopause mad at times), wear a bit of make up and dress reasonably smartly. I see some of my peers have had tweakments but I’m not.

so yes I do think , Christ when did that happen. Also have a husband who is aging very well, good genes on his side of the family, whereas my family turn into prunes. But I’m alive!

I like being this age in every other way but yes, I’m noticing a jump in visual age in the last year and it’s not very enjoyable. Lost a lot of weight thanks to injections so inevitably my neck and other soft bits have suffered. I’m getting married next year and trying to work out how to look. I think I look my age, but a decent version of it on a good day. I’m not ready to go grey yet as it would be pepper and salt, so am going blonder with age. Still, I work with people whove had major health events so mostly I feel lucky to not be in pain and to be active.

I am finally, at 63, reaping the benefits of good skincare over 50+ years. I sailed competitively from my early teens and my mother insisted on decent moisturiser. I don't think I have missed a day since. The difference between my skin and that of my peers wasn't noticeable a decade ago, but my goodness it shows now!

After a very long time of looking fairly young for my age, I aged very suddenly in my mid 50s. It was a shock I have to say. But then my sister in law died, and a friend died, and suddenly I valued life. I joined a gym, I'm really fit and healthy. I do loads of stuff. Yes, sometimes I look in the mirror and feel a bit sad at the older face looking back. But I don't try to hold back time by botox or anything like that, I go with the flow and I try to focus on how I feel, not how I look. Life is great. Mind you, I was never into make up, fashion etc, I think that makes a difference, my appearance wasn't huge to me anyway.

I’m concentrating on my physical and mental health. Not keen on Botox or fillers but I dance x2 week and started strength training last year x2 week.

Id rather be fit than pretty at 59.

However, everywhere is sagging.

Thank you @SpringBulbsPop and @Moll2020 💕 I'm glad my post made you smile!
I completely agree with a lot of these posts and particularly @WideOpenBeaches comment about rather being fit than pretty 👏
Ed to remove a stray word

I'm mid age in this range and have definately noticed aging in the last 6 months or so. Hair slightly thinner, a few more aches. I'm not particularly bothered if I'm a bit creased around the edges! I'm active and walk at least three miles a day over the fields and up the hills around my home (I live rurally). I look after toddler and baby DGC twice a week too and, at the moment, am still able to crawl around on the floor with them and push a double buggy on a long walk. I have noticed the aches are worse if I miss a daily walk.

I eat healthily but have a couple of glasses of wine on a Saturday evening. I'm going stop this though as it affects my sleep now.

I'm thinking of joining a gym to build strength which I believe helps posture too.

Definately focussing on health rather than beauty.

I’m 60. Thinning hair, thinning lips, bags under my eyes. Skin growing ever-more brown age spots. Bottom flat and tummy rounded - whereas it used to be the opposite.

I have a couple of friends with fabulous hair who have let their heir go grey - and they look AMAZING.
I’ve also got friends with ‘less fabulous’ hair - thinning, frizzy, nothing-y, like mine - who have gone grey and IMO it’s terribly aging on them. They might not be bothered about it - good for them. But I’m going to keep up with getting my hair coloured.

Obviously to say but I think make up is a big help too. I’ve got a very quick routine with minimal products (stick foundation blended in with a brush, mascara, eyeliner, tinted lip balm on lips and top of cheeks for a bit of gleam).

I have Botox once every few months and a bit of filler in my top lip once a year.

We’re all on our own path here. I just don’t want to feel like a plump old grey-haired old granny. I take pleasure in doing what I can (watch what I eat, exercise, grooming routines, updating my wardrobe etc) to feel ‘good for my age’. And that’s all it’s ever going to be. I’m not going to look 25 and nor do I want to. Looking and feeling like a well-groomed and put-together, fit and healthy 60 year old is where I’m at.

It’s not the wrinkles that are a worry, it’s the jowls and neck. Either the neck is scrawny and pleated and crepey, or it gets puffy and the chin merges into the neck.There is no non surgical solution that is not expensive, needing several sessions and maintenance, doesn’t have downtime, doesn’t have swelling, bruising etc. or other effects. Oh for a skin shrinking solution that works. Don’t suggest polynucleotides( tried it, never again) laser, injections.

I'm just below your age range OP and IMO I'd say a really flattering mirror helps. Our bathroom mirror is so flattering I always leave the house feeling like I look great. I dont think I'll ever be able to move house again 😁

I am bang in the middle of this age range and I obviously don’t look twenty or thirty but kind people tell me I look younger than I am. I still have very thick hair and not much grey, which helps. As l am very fair skinned, I have kept out of the sun and I have never smoked and hardly ever drink alcohol. I am overweight but I think this has helped keep my face round, plump and fairly wrinkle free. I link clothes and try to dress appropriately for my shape and colouring. I also try not to wear clothes that are too young for me or “old lady” clothes. I am happy in my own skin and don’t mind being my age. I like having life experience. As for going from middle aged to older, we have no choice in the matter and it beats the alternative.

I’ve cleansed, toned and moisturised daily from the age 14 and I think it’s definitely helped! No expensive products either just bog standard stuff like oil of Ulay/Olay (teens to 30’s), Astral and now I just use Superdrug.

I use a factor 15 daytime moisturiser too and have done for years.

I hate the mirror in the hairdressers, the lighting is harsh, and every wrinkle and saggy bit is highlighted. It adds twenty years!

Agree with @ItsPronouncedThroatwobblerMangrove that the 44/60/80 thing seems valid. I've noticed people in the 70s go through a shift approaching 80. Suddenly appear or become old, start to develop more serious illnesses.