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?

I doubt it’s “just” botox etc. I don’t find plastic surgery inspirational.

I also think it’s disingenuous to point the finger at women who have had Botox or fillers

What do you mean “point the finger”?

I have to say that Anneja Rice looked gorgeous on Strictly

She didn't, didn't she?

I'd never realised before how pretty she is - and what a wonderful smile! She just looks so joyful. I don't know what she's like as a person, but that smile made me feel happy.

If someone want to have lots of cosmetic work done to appear youthful, that's their choice... maybe not such an open choice in industries like Hollywood where vanity and youth are essential to maintaining your career. That's actually not very inspiring that your worth is based on your face and shape.

It's not an even playing field. They are women who were above averagely beautiful to begin with so have the benefit of features like good bone structure, and they have the benefit of a lifestyle where they are well looked after so can spend time on optimum exercise and nutrition.

It's not something I find aspirational because it's not achievable to the majority. I'd like to see more women looking naturally great for their age, plus women continuing to be sucessful in their careers despite their age.

YABU. I find cosmetic intervention the opposite of inspiring. Why can Michael look his age but she can’t? It’s very sad.

Helen Mirren - now there is one beautiful, natural, inspiring woman. Her and those like her (Judy Dench, Kathy Burke) are examples of living and loving your own skin that i would want to show my young girls. I would hold those with surgical intervention up as examples of how insecurity and vanity can blight all common sense.

So they've inspired you to get Botox? Well done them. Such an uplifting story.

She is a very attractive woman, looks good but she looks her age.

Your post made me think about Cher. I did a search and she was in the fail yesterday. I remember articles being written about her and the amount of work she has had done. It is likely CZJ has had work on other parts of her body too.

Just leaving this here as I’m struggling to follow your line of thought.

I don't think it's altogether healthy to be 'inspired' by the way women look. Be inspired by what they do, how they live (although both of these can also be influenced by how much money they have) and what they do for others (without shouting loudly "look how great I am!").

Women who quietly change things from behind the scenes are inspiratioal. Women who make money from being good looking? Not so much.

At the group fitness and yoga/pilates classes I go to there are women in 50s, 60s, 70s and one in 80s who look trim and strong, and doing the workouts well. I find that inspiring, with respect to both looks and health.

I used to see Amanda Holden regularly (shopped in the shop I worked in) Trust me. She is dog rough in real life! I really wouldn't want to aspire to look like her at all (and by dog rough, I do actually mean it's her fault - she's clearly had so much 'work' done, she looks ridiculously fake)

Maybe she just doesn't dress up or do her hair and make up to go to her local shop? Like a lot of people?

I do wonder why other women are so critical of womens' appearances. Unless you are yourself of the supermodel variety or at least exceptionally good looking and well turned out, I won't be taking your advice!

I’m 57 and look ok. My friends, with a bit of spit and polish can look pretty darn good too. We see celebrities when they have spent hours getting ready. It’s looking good when popping out for the papers in joggers that would impress me.

Also, I don’t know why everyone always gives Amanda Holden such a hard time, but not the other lady who is also extremely beautiful on BGT (sorry I’m terrible with names). And look at Simon Cowell - the teeth are blinding and he’s probably had ten times more “work” done than AH, but no, let’s slag her off because she’s an “older” woman and this is not allowed.

I have met AH twice and she does not look anymore “fake” than the next person in normal daylight. She just looks great for her age - actually, great for any age, I should say. On TV everyone looks more “fake” because of the lighting.

Someone mentioned Anneka Rice? Well, she must live locally to me because I’ve seen her around and she is a very striking woman. She was in the shop and so was Gary Lineker who is probably a similar age to her and they look exactly the same as on TV and I don’t think either of them have aged in decades really. I remember AR when she did that helicopter programme in the 80s and she looks the same now, if not better. Good for her!

CZJ was gorgeous from the start. Look at her in the Darling Buds of May. But endless money, personal trainers, dieticians and nannies allow someone to focus entirely on themselves. I wouldn't call her inspirational, more like fortunate.

Plus, anyone's going to look good next to Michael Douglas.

I do however think turning 50 can be difficult for many / most women, whether they admit it or not. Sadly more difficult for women than men because of the unfortunate notion that women are “past it” by a certain age.

For me, (as I am one year away from 50yo), being 50yo creates three reactions

• one is to say that at 50yo, I should stop living my life as if I am 'eternal' iyswim and stop taking things for granted. Its not about looks, its about relationhsip and how I lve my life. he importance of seeing my parents for example and the acute awareness they wont there for ever. Nor my dcs for that matter.

• the other is that actually, beinh past it and past bearing age, is, for me a freedom. I finally dnt have to abide to the 'rules' that says I am supposed to be pretty and good looking etc etc. I can do whatever the f** I want. Its a freedom rather than a curse.

• and yes you are right about the world we live in. I also think we have a choice on whether we want to abide by those rules (eg to value looks on women and value grey hair on men) or to actually not give them any attention at all. The best way to change things is to start with yourself, one person at the time and then things will change. So yes thats thr world we live in. We dont have to be oart of the peple who carry on supporting those views.

Whatever I think of people who choose to have work done, I don’t think it is very respectful to refer to fellow women as ‘dog rough’. Come on, we can have a debate without slinging that kind of unnecessary, insulting mud.

Also she’s perfectly nice looking but you often read people going “Oh but Helen Mirren is stunning!” erm, no she isn’t. No shame in that but if she was sitting behind a til in the Co-Op nobody would be saying “Oh that lady who works in the Co-Op - you know, the really beautiful one”

Yes, she's an adequate actress and not unpleasant on the eye, but I don't understand the hype around her at all.

Im also very nterested to the idea that 'looking like you havent aged' is a good thing.
Why? We all do and as we age, we all get nearer to our death. Whether we look 'young' and 'havent aged' wont change that.

Someone who is very beautiful and older than Catherine Zeta Jones is Sharon Stone. She doesn't look as though she's had work done and her features and bone structure are more clearly defined than when she was young.

I was impressed when I saw her as an ADA in Law & Order: SVU.
www.google.com/search?q=sharon+stone+in+law+and+order+svu&rlz=1C5CHFA_enGB717GB727&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=Y82zRKudHS5nOM%253A%252CCU5uTbm0Hs3BeM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kSlYIaqrq7XAZ1rFaYekFlirR85Bw&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiw5pfL75PlAhV0SxUIHaQjBvkQ_h0wIHoECAoQBQ#imgrc=Y82zRKudHS5nOM:

I don't know whether Zeta-Jones has had work done or not, doesn't look like it to me and I see plenty of women who have - and it shows!

I didn't have wrinkles in early fifties (don't now really, the ageing is more subtle than that), lots of people don't. My skin was clear and eyes wide.

I agree @zzzzzzzz12345 . That is a horrible expression.

Anneka rice is a total inspiration, not because she looks good (but my god she does) but because she has this infectious joie de vivre which I can imagine lights up any room she is in. It is totally inspiring for my girls to see a woman absolutely loving doing something that she doesn’t necessarily excel at - what a wonderful message in this pushy, competitive era for children.

Also, I don’t know why everyone always gives Amanda Holden such a hard time, but not the other lady who is also extremely beautiful on BGT (sorry I’m terrible with names). And look at Simon Cowell - the teeth are blinding and he’s probably had ten times more “work” done than AH, but no, let’s slag her off because she’s an “older” woman and this is not allowed

Ummm... you were the one who started a thread about two women, no mention of men!

I also find it a bit insulting that there is this undercurrent of 'if you don't get work done, you've let yourself go'. No!
Natural all the way AFAIC

As if Cowell doesn't get slagged off

I don't think Toni Collette has had any work done going by her forehead. I think she is great.

Yes I did start a thread about two women - because seeing CZJ cheered me up for whatever reason and I was wondering if others felt the same. That’s all. I have nothing negative to say. I don’t think she is trying to look “younger” necessarily either - just look the best she can at whatever age she’s at and why shouldn’t she? I think she’s more beautiful for being older actually because it makes her face more interesting somehow. It’s just my view.