To think Catherine Zeta-Jones is an inspiration!

[Parisa5]

I was in the hairdressers yesterday and so provided with the obligatory copy of “Hello” magazine. Anyway, in it was CZJ and I just thought she looks fantastic. I’m 45 now, so the 50s are looming and I love seeing a woman like that who is 50, but more stunning than ever. I also think the same about Amanda Holden who I’ve met a few times and she’s another one who has improved with age. I know AH is not popular on MN, but why not? AIBU to think these two defy the myth that women should just let it all go as they get older?

Really? Beautiful woman stays beautiful as she gets old supported by many millions she and her husband have to spend on it. What's inspirational about that? I bet she hasn't cleaned a toilet or made a bed in decades. Easy to stay beautiful and slim when you don't have to live a finger for yourself, ever. I'd love to see how she'd have turned out if she'd stayed in Wales, married someone local and brought up her family there.

CZJ is open about her bipolar, I admire her for that and letting people know it’s ok to take time for yourself and your mental health.

If you find them 'inspiring', why do you care what MN thinks?

fwiw I think CZJ's looks are the least inspiring thing about her. I find it more inspiring that she has built a life and career for herself, has spoken openly about her bipolar disorder and that she was open that she would leave her husband if there was found to be any truth in the allegations about his behaviour.

I remember a time when MNers didn't waste time repeating nonsense about 'myths about older women' etc. I can't decide if you're a journalist trying to stir up a MN hates x and y headline or you're just a general gf.

It must be hard to grow old in the public eye I think, especially if you have a long film or media career where there are reminders of how you looked 20/30 years ago! I agree that there are some people (not all, by any means) who don't expect actors to look any different whatever their age.

Quite apart from the cost element, I don't think I'd put as much work into my appearance as these ladies, they obviously take care over their eating and exercise as well. I am not that careful. You can see the difference

I often say 'what has he/she done to her face' when I see people on the TV now. Some people have work done and look fabulous (Linda Gray is the one I always mention - she's had work done but she still looks like herself) and others get that identikit face which is not so good IMO. Each to their own.

I think she has wrecked her face and looks a bit fake and strange, like quite a lot of actresses of her sort of age. She was so incredibly beautiful and would have continued to be beautiful if she'd just aged naturally. I think Rachel Weisz, for example, has also done something strange to her face - Nicole Kidman too.

Personally, I am inspired to leave my face alone.

I also think it’s disingenuous to point the finger at women who have had Botox or fillers. If the treatments are available and they work, people will use them. It’s as simple as that. It is what it is. Some women have bleached their hair since their teens, fgs. Some women spend more than the cost of Botox on face creams that promise to do x,y,z; or on dental work, diet fads or whatever. Unless people can truly say they have never purchased a product or treatment for aesthetic reasons, I don’t think they have a keg to stand on really.

Both women have had stuff done to their faces, if you find that inspirational, fair enough! They are both beautiful to begin with and spend a lot of time and effort maintaining themselves, helps that they don't need to cook, clean or do any of the other tasks a regular women would be doing on top of working and perhaps looking after a family.

I don't think any cosmetic work actually looks good tbh. I find it slightly freaky looking.

So no, I'm not inspired by someone not looking the age they are and don't really see why anyone would be.

My Mum has just turned 60 and she looks amazing - I was looking at photos from her 40th birthday and I must say she looks years younger now then she did back then and way more stylish and just over all better looking!!

I also found photos of myself & 2 friends at 21 and 25 and my god we look terrible - all of us look lot better now!! haha

I deffo think some people improve with age

I think it might be due to having a bit more confidence, more comfortable in your skin etc!!

There is also a big difference e between botox, fillers and face lifts compared to buying anti ageing creams! They are invasive procedures, up to you if you want to use them though and clearly the OP is an advocate!

Are the choices no cosmetic surgery or standing on kegs with grey hair and wrinkles?

Sure an inspiration for cosmetic surgery.

@KatyCarrCan No they are not. But look at older good looking women who have not had surgery like Meryl Streep. That is what a good looking older women looks like without surgery. Beautiful, but not as if she is defying the years.

And no I’m not a journalist . What an odd thing to deduce from the face I think CZJ looks great. I don’t even read magazines, watch TV or know who half of the celebrities are. As I said, I was in the hairdressers yesterday and I saw CZJ in “Hello” or one of those magazines. I thought she looked stunning and it yes,call me shallow if you like, but it made me slightly less worried about turning 50!

Botox and facelifts are not inspirational.

People can die whatever thry want, have whatever surgery and treatment they want but a woman of huge wealth throwing money at the problem of aging (hair, make up, surgery, clothes etc) to keep up the pretence than women should look youthful for as long as they can in order to be of value is not inspirational.

I much prefer the women who have alowed age to happen, wear their experience with pride, still look frankly fabulous and still continue to work (in this context of celebrities) despite looking something like their own age.

Men can age but women should do e erythi g to look 21 forever? No thanks

Fact not face!

Is that you, Amanda?

Honestly as well, if you have botox and surgery, then you do end up with bits of you looking older than the bits you have had done. And it starts to look slightly strange.
I am in my fifties and don't really have wrinkles, naturally, but my neck and hands look their age,

I have to say that Anneja Rice looked gorgeous on Strictly, though I'm not sure if she has had work done or not. She can't dance though!

I could have sworn she was older than me when she was in darling buds of May. How on earth are we suddenly the same age?

Sleeping - is that picture you have posted Helen Mirren? Well how would you know if she’s had work done or not or what she spends to maintain the image she chooses to present?

So many women look better in their forties, fifties and onwards that it now seems really old fashioned to me when you read those stereotypical comments about men preferring younger women on looks alone. I know I look a lot better than my pudgy-faced, unformed self in my teens and twenties! At least now I have cheekbones! And better skin.

I don;'t know if the UK is particularly old fashioned in this regard, but in most other countries, there doesn't seem to be this negative criticism of (a) older womens' looks or (b) older women who are still part of society as in appearing on tv and media, being active, etc..As if there is something wrong with trying to look smart and good for your age, whatever age that is. As opposed to declining into a shame-faced older age, hiding away from the world.

Nearly all of the women mentioned have stayed fit and slim. I'm sure that has as much to do with it as fillers and Botox.

What delusion and how weird to be inspired by someone who's spent a boatload of money having stuff done to their face.

I'm inspired by many women but not because of those pathetic reasons. Plus Amanda Holden looks nothing like she did in her youth, she has had so much work done she looks beyond weird (what's to admire in that? Her lips are like two chipolatas)

You wouldn't admire me one iota OP. I'm mid sixties and have had no work done and I'm proud of the lines on my face because they are who I am. However, I look after myself, my skin generally is good, I dress carefully for my age and I have an inner confidence which means I don't have to paralyse my muscles in my face by injecting them with whatever.

They’ve both improved with age.

How so. They never exactly been repulsive have they and They still look exactly the same.