To feel a bit of sadness to see looks gradually fading

[Maisyblue]

Just that really, I wonder if we all take it for granted when we have young fresh faces. I can remember when looking in the mirror first thing in the morning before putting makeup on wasn't an unpleasant sight. Now it's a bit of a scary sight. Also it gets longer to get ready now to look half decent. Isn't it a bit sad to see the face that was once young and glowing slowly start to fade.

Why do people say that men get better with age? I can barely think of anyone in real life that applies to and it is really insulting to women.

I agree mrsdevere even though in the big picture looks are not a priority it is natural to recognise the change and how it affects us.

Just stumbled across this thread and haven't read the lot. BUT, FFS Crabby you're a stunner, love. You must be mad if you can't see it. I would be over the moon if I looked like you!

It depends when i catch myself in the mirror - I can see a fatter body than my youth (working on it) but t nearly 40 I think I look ok and feel a bit more confident generally about my looks. I think ive grown into my face in some ways.

It seems entirely possible that in the future we will be able to slow down the aging process so that people will be able to remain youthful and young looking for most of their lives.

I wonder if that would make people any happier.
I constantly read on here 'I don't look my age' 'people tell me I look much younger than I am' etc, point being that we like to think we look better than others the same age.

If everyone looks young the bar is raised for everyone.

I think having very good health in your later years would make more of a difference to quality of life than maintaining a youthful face.

It is possible to maintain good health by making lifestyle changes, whereas facial again can only really be addressed by expensive cosmetic procedure and surgery.

*facial aging, not facial again!

Feeling good surpasses anything looks wise but looking a certain way opens a lot of doors and that is what I think people find difficult It is a bit like being spoiled and then having it taken away

Attractiveness open doors in a world where some are more attractive than others and some lose their before others.

But if everyone was attractive and no one lost their looks, it wouldn't open doors, that was the point I was attempting to make, or one of them anyway

I'm really enjoying this thread - I did think it might turn into a "God, you're all so vain, don't you have anything else to worry about?" type thing interspersed with twee "But hun it's what's on the inside that matters (Hugs)".
I'm 46 and go through phases of thinking I've come to terms with it but then get a bit down about it all again eg when I look at 12 year old DD's flawless glowing skin and silky hair.

It is a huge tool when you are young and you get away with things and I definitely had opportunities that someone less conventionally attractive could have probably done better etc thats gone now and I am so far into my 40s I don't ever think about it but did before 45. You can still look good but that freshness is over.

David Beckham has got better with age.

Yes! Interestingly I am more confident now about my looks even though they are fading fast. I go out without make up and hair done etc quite happily and feel ok whereas when in my 20s I had to be fully made up to face the world

Thanks Also!

I just almost took a picture to post here after my bath and before makeup... glowing red nose and acne all over my chin and cheek. I chickened out!

I agree that there are a lot more important things in life to worry about than ageing, but unfortunately our brains don't prioritise like that. Human nature, I think, to worry/think more about the trivial than the profound.

Beckham is still young, infact I dont think he looks all that good, he's 'craggy' at only 39, lets see how good he looks at 49

I think the worst part is becoming invisible. I don't mind what's in the mirror - in fact I don't think I look at all bad, all things considered but it's hard when young people (women as well as men) just look through you. Sometimes I can feel myself slipping out of sight.

Floisme - have you seen this interview with Emma Thompson in the Guardian She makes some very interesting comments about being in your 50s. I might even start a thread about it!

I skimmed the article, the point about 50 being the new 35, she I think has misunderstood the phrase, it refers to the fact that people who are 50 now look and feel as youthful as their parents did at 35.
She responded as if it means that current 50 year olds want to emulate current 35 year olds.

Im sure she's very nice but I find Emma Thompson a pretentious 'luvvie' just like the rest of them

I dont even think she makes any interesting points, perhaps Im missing something?

well I found it interesting

I have a friend a hairdresser whose mum was a beautician for years and still does a bit of that sort of thing. We were saying to her about how we all look younger etc but she said we don't we present ourselves differently but our skin hair etc are no better and she thought her dd and I had worse skin than most of her mates had at our age! cheeky moo

I think she's got a point, noddy. Well, about the presentation not the state of your skin I look much younger than my darling mum did at 50. However, her hair was a much better texture than mine is now but she condemned it to a perm, as was practically mandatory for a middle-aged woman back then! Her skin was lovely too but you needed to see past the perm, spreading waist and bad clothing to notice how attractive she actually was.

She was absolutely ravishing in her 20s - like Hedy Lamaar but better

I have better skin than my mum at 50, she was a sunworshipper, I've always protected my face from the sun

Well I think I am not bad for 54! Being chubby means I don't have a chicken neck or wrinkles (yay!!). My norks may have gone south a bit but are still looking fine. Just don't look at the apron tummy or chubby knees! I could do without the aches and pains though and newly diagnosed diabetes 2. Oh and better eye sight! I do put make up on but putting on liner is hard because I cannot see what I am doing properly!!!

I am hoping that I can actually get off my fat arse and do a bit more walking/sit ups etc and diet!!!