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.

And why is it every fecker wants to take your bleeding photo these days. I am seriously against these high definition cameras that home right in on all your wrinkles. There's no way I could ever do these close up 'selfies' either, I'd frighten myself to death.

I'm 44. My BFF is a 26 year old on a college course I was doing who thought I was the same age as her!!!!!!! I thought she must be blind but she managed to do v well on the course so she could definately see properly.

Must get in touch with her and fish for a few more compliments!

Agree re photos. My recent passport photos look like police mug shots and I look like a very scary grumpy criminal.

YANBU. I just turned 43 and still look pretty good and am very fit. But Botox is definitely my BFF.

Photos were always a disaster zone for me, so no change there.

Maisyblue, if you don't mind me saying, you sound so down on yourself and lacking in confidence, maybe it's your confidence eroding rather than your looks. It's inevitable that looks will wane but as someone else said, if it's important how you carry yourself off (and it is for most people), there's loads of ways to bring out the best through combination of clothes, hair, make up etc but you can't really fake confidence, you have to believe that you look good and that's probably what attracts other people. Sounds like you had that confidence and self esteem when you were younger but it's gone AWOL, work on that, am sure you're your worst critic!

I notice it most in the summer. Each summer as I remove the fuzz (actually, the thick verdant hairy pelt) that covers my legs and get them out in the sun I find more unsightly thread veins than were there the summer before. By the end of each summer my hands and chest seem to have aged 10 years, with wrinkles and age spots. Also, in the direct strong sunlight the newly appearing hairs on my chin are visible! Roll on winter when I can hide it away and walk around mostly in dim light.

I have never had Botox but started using Clinique religiously about 8 or 9 years ago when i was about 36/37 and I think it's definitely helped keep everything more or less in the right place. Another good tip I have is to concentrate on your eyebrows as you get older. They often fade and get thinner as you get older but a bit of threading and eyebrow pencil works wonders.

I am a 45 year old version of myself.

This.

(Though that sideburn really had to be pruned!)

I'm tempted to take a close up pic of myself, Maisie, to see if you find that frightening. :o

OK, I don't make a habit of selfies. Completely unedited (though MN may shrink the size) complete with lines, hairs and pores :o A month off 45. And yes, the sparkles in my hair are white ones. I'm rather fond of them.

can't see the down, but can see you have very good skin!

I remember feeling a bit like you OP when I was in my early 40s. When I was younger I always felt quite pleased when I looked at myself in the mirror (whether or not I had made much effort) but I don't anymore. I have got used to it though and now just try to look good compared with other people my age. You can't compete with youth in my opinion.

cheeseandpineapple....... I'm ok, don't get me wrong I really don't dwell on stuff for long, I do look for positives in life. Just now send again like most people I suppose.

How old are you Maisyblue?

Joan Collins says, "you will never again be as young as you are today."

I tell myself that but it doesn't work. :) I'm 43 and seem to face gone MASSIVELY downhill in the past 3 years. From looking ok to looking middle-aged.

*have gone!

At 43, I have a head, two arms, two legs and my health.

Life is pretty good actually!

I'm 48 and am feeling pretty positive about the way I look at the moment.

I achieve this by never looking at my reflection and by remembering how I looked at 30.

Try it, it's foolproof.

Oh, and I got the glad eye when out shopping the other day. I was wearing shorts and a chap sidled up and said he liked the warm weather because all the lovely young ladies showed their shapely legs.

He was around 90.

It's all in the genes.
My best friend is 44 and looks about 28.
She tells me that her secret is that she has good genes and doesn't .smoke. She also swears by astral.

Has anyone noticed that black skin dies not seem to age as quickly as white skin?

and this is me. I am looking damm good for 41 no?

Cut a fringe From and you will look about 15!

BravePotato - I think the lack of make up really helps. Back when I did wear make up my skin was a spotty, flaky mess. And that was after I'd worked out that anything not hypoallergenic was a strict no-no.

I'll get back to you on its condition when I've used up all my Clinique comforting cream cleanser, as it's been discontinued :(

Paris you have very neat eyebrows :o

I'm 48