Why do older American women disfigure their faces?

[notsmelliesagain]

I watched the first episode of Real Marigold Hotel on Tour - Florida today.
It was excellent.
But, wtaf have those American women done to their faces? and how can they possibly think they look good, or younger? Do they have different mirrors to the rest of us?
How can their surgeons possibly think they've done a good job?
Miriam and Clarissa actually looked younger and more attractive in comparison.

44.20 onwards.

Yes MrsDusty. I doubt many people are trying to look like 25, even if they can remember what they actually looked like then. I feel happier and more confident now than when I was 25. People just want to make the best of what they've got. Just like getting your teeth done, good diet / exercise, whatever. The reality is really not all about freak faces in magazines. But still, given the choice of a bit weird or totally haggard, many women may actually opt for the bit weird! Each to their own.

"Why do older American women disfigure their faces".
Sweeping statement about Americans as is all to common in MN, these days.
FWIW, I have a fair smattering of older American women relatives and they don't.

I think part of it is going for faces that photograph well, but that doesn't necessarily mean they look good in real life. I find Nigella to be be a very weird uncanny version of her former self, and in her shows now, she looks so self-conscious about how she is being filmed - it's constantly in profile for some reason. I think it's ok to talk about this and call it for what it is, instead of all pretending that everything is wonderful.

Is it just me that thinks of Cassandra on Dr Who?

no - me too

Although individual features look better, or may look better, there are asymmetries in the way the face moves and I think people are instinctively put off by that.

Moisturise me

Those Americans looked like someone had dug them up

Ha ha yes - a bit "American Werewolf in London"

So are women doing it so they don't look wrinklier than their friends rather than because they think they look younger? That's hardly intelligent feminism at work, not sure if it's even weaker than doing it to look good for your man.

Well I don't think I made any claims about feminism. I also don't necessarily think it's about wrinkles per se. I think it's about showing that you have the disposable income and time to do it and move in circles where this is how the older woman looks now. Possibly as a reaction to the appearance of their mothers in later life.

Robert Redford has had a facelift and eye surgery. Jane Fonda has had two facelifts and a neck lift. She looks great imo. Redford not so much.

Botox and filler can help you look more youthful but it all drpends who is administering it. Its an art not a science and not many practitioners have an artists eye or the balls to refuse to treat someone who wants too much doing. The key is to prevent and maintain as much of your youth as possible and keep it subtle. I agree with the pp that a face and necklift done well is better than botox and fillers as it still alliws natural movement and expression.

Those women looked awful. Their faces looked ridiculous!
I love Miriam - I don't always agree with her but she is fabulous and I would much rather spend time with her than I would any of the people they met in that second place.

Seriously???

You've answered your own question. Women have plastic surgery because they are relentlessly scrutinised and criticised about their appearance.

Just like you're all doing on this thread

Sharon O now looks younger than she did when her kids were babies. As you can see from these photos she has had extensive work done ( which she is more than willing to admit) I do think it's harsh on women around her age as people say she looks great for her age which simply isn't true . Also she is the master of great photo angels and also is very strict with what is shown the lights she films under etc. As you can see in less than flattering light she looks more like the rest of the world..... but the filler etc shows up big time.
I don't have issues with women having surgery I have issues with them lying and saying it's down to great genes and drinking shitloads of water, I also have issues with the media shoving it down our throats that to look good as a mature woman I am supposed to look like this 🙄🙄🙄

I've just had a browse and I think I might like a neck lift 😂 I'm in my 50's and happy with my looks but my neck is a bit 'old'. I think if I just had that done it would look really natural.

Loved this. MM is wonderful.

I think their had to be an underlying psychological problem with all women who choose to go down the plastic fantastic route. I know that Hollywood plays a huge part. But if women had the fucking balls to stand up to the male wankers who run 99%of hollyweird then we could all grow old with a bit of respect. I don't want to see a woman playing a 70 year old who looks 30. It's because of this youth culture that we feel that if we're not young then we don't matter. age irrespective of beauty holds so much. Wisom. Insight. And knowlege. (Ok technically the same thing) but to me a face is a soul. You start to fill the holes your filling in the parts that make you well you. We beleive that age is to be feared. Wrinkles are revolting and once your out of your teans ffs it's all downhill. Bollocks. I may dye hair funky colours because I hate my natural one. I put makeup on daily because it masks a skin condition. But I am never going to let anyone tell me that my age is a dissability and I should fill my face full of chemicals to gain my youth. Fuck it. Maybe if they wernt so obsessed with size then a tiny bit of weight would naturally fill there faces. sorry for ranting so much. I hate what life is like for women now. I work with perky 18 year olds who look at me with sad eyes when I say how old I am. But I am proud to be on the cusp of 40. I don't feel the news to give.myself skin cancer sunbedding my skin for that healthy flow. Or put botulism in my face for a wrinkle free visage. I am me. Almost 40. Fat. Fabulous with a few wrinkles. If Make it to 50 then bring it on. This life is worth it. ..... now breathe.

The ones in the place with the health classes and stuff seemed so much happier than the rich ones. They just seemed quite bitter really.

So my take away from this is that basically I need Jane Fonda's plastic surgeon :) Or just not worry about ageing, which I'm honest enough to admit that I am a little...

Probably as women are made to feel ugly for ageing? I am often hearing comments about people 'not ageing well'. The modern culture is obsessed with looks. It is so sad that a woman is judged on her looks and sex appeal above all else. I have felt this acutely all my life. Don't care so much now I am older but it's harsh.

I'd lean towards a facelift later on then rather than botox/fillers now which I believe can have unpredictable effects on facial muscles in the long run.

That's an interesting point.
Any muscle, if not used will eventually die.
So if you're never using your facial muscles they will eventually die.

A good old fashioned facelift is probably the best option.

Any muscle, if not used will eventually die.

Are you sure about this?

No, but muscles are meant to be used.
Facial muscles are there for a reason surely.

I wonder what the Queen would look like now, if she had grown old in America?

YABU only in thinking it's older, American women.

It's also younger women of all nationalities who are buying into the fillers and botox look. Just google "bad lip fillers" or "bad botox" and most of the results are 20-somethings or 30-somethings.

I'm 44 and have no desire AT ALL to have fillers or botox. Yes I might have the odd wrinkle but i'm not the same person I was in my 20s. I have had major surgery and it is no walk in the park, I'm not putting myself through it in the hope it might make me look better/younger. I do dye my hair but again, it's not about making me look younger.