AIBU to ask at what age did you start to look 'old' and what did you do about it?

[fortunatelynot]

Shamelessly posting her for traffic as I am now fed up of ALWAYS looking tired.

I am 43 and I think I now look 'old'. Of course those little lines have been gradually creeping up over the years and at times I've looked in the mirror and thought I looked a bit haggard, but, with a bit of make up and extra sleep, things have always fallen back into place and/or make up hid them.

Seriously - at what age did you get the crows feet, laughter lines and bags? And what did you do about it?

I have worn sunscreen for a few years but didn't as a youngster. I have never smoked and I don't drink much (although used to). I sleep pretty well and work out regularly. I take my make up off each night and put on moisturiser. My diet is reasonable. I admit I'm not exactly obsessed with maintenance but I don't think I'm neglectful of myself either. I work long hours in a stressful job.

Genuinely interested to hear of anybody who has succeeded in making themselves look less tired or any anti ageing tips I'm missing!

[Whateveryoudoordontdo]

I'm 53 and still look like I did in my 20s. There's this grey haired, jowley woman who always seems to get to the mirror before me though. No idea who she is.

[mbosnz]

48, and sweet bugger all. I'm on the wrong side of the decades. So what? I've made it.

[fortunatelynot]

Thanks miniguiness, appreciate that. I think my paleness doesn't help!

[ContessaLovesTheSunshine]

I think it is more severe if you're slim - a bit of fat fills out wrinkles IMO! Only half joking - I have an auntie who is in her 70s and you'd swear she was 20 years younger.

I am currently a couple of stone above target and am in two minds whether to aim to lose all of it as I did look older when slimmer.... #firstworldproblems hey!

[fortunatelynot]

whateveryoudoordontdo - that made me laugh out loud.

[Shaminon]

Started looking older at 38. In fact I'd completely let myself go and looked an absolute wreck with wild uncut hair, shapeless old clothes, bitten finger nails, 90s make up applied haphazardly, no foundation, about 2 stone over weight mostly on my stomach and chin. Got mistaken for my young child's grand mother at school pick up for my older child. Took action.

Learnt the following: belly weight gain makes me look alot older and a strong core means I look a lot better in clothe and generally have better posture. So I do a lot of sit ups / Pilates / yoga/ legs bums (3 classes per week in the eve) and tums and try to eat less carbs than I want.

With added weight i get a double chin and look jowelly. I try to run 3 times per week early morning to keep weight off and help my metabolism.

My skin started to get crows feet - i do full cleanse serum moisturise with Clinique or eve Taylor , occasional facial and notice it looks better. Tried Botox and I wouldn't bother again, personally.

Sunscreen every day without fail.

Dye my hair with a quality colourist and have it Brazilian blow dried If it looks frizzy. Hair cut every 6 weeks max.
Regular manicures and upkeep in between.
I use coconut oil all over in the bath which I think keeps everything more supple.
Full make over and make up to match my aging features from Laura Mercier.
Chucked out poorly fitting or old looking clothes, regularly do a wardrobe check. Have started to use a stylist twice a year to update wardrobe and it's surprisingly cost effective as no impulse clothes buys.

Brow tint and lamination I think it's called is what I'm having next.

No drinking during the week as it ruins my sleep and I look awful the next day.


It takes a bit of effort id say but for me it's absolutely worth it as I feel so much better. Good luck!

[Myohmy111]

I find that the presence of significant amounts of melanin is a great protection against ageing. I am often astounded by how young many black women look in relation to their age.

[Shaminon]

Sorry X posted if you're slim and go to the gym I'd look into an anti aging diet and vitamin supplement sort of thing where you fill your face out with all the nutrients etc

[PrtScn]

I always used to look 10+ years younger than I am. Then I had a child and am now looking my age!

[PyongyangKipperbang]

Almost exactly 9 months ago. Aged 46

I lost 5 stone aged 45/46 and things didnt spring back as they did when I lost 3 stone post baby weight in my thirties. Weirdly I still dont have any real wrinkles, I seem to have inherited my grandmothers wonderful skin in that respect, but I have a .... whats it called? That thing that turkeys have? Turkey neck I suppose! And my skin is settling into my bones rather than floating above it as it used to. I weigh the same as I did then, and am the same size but there isnt the forgivingness is my body that there used to be. My sister has thyroid issues and is rather bigger than me now. We agreed that she would look young and fat and I would be skinny and old :o

[FourEyesGood]

I’m 41 and look old, but I don’t care.

[PyongyangKipperbang]

I should add that I am embracing the "I am what I am, and what I am needs no excuses!" POV :o

[GoddessOfTransformativeWrath]

46 or 47

Im 49 now. I look ok for 49 but i am going to accept being older. I dont want to push water uphill if just acceptance makes me more content.

[sassafras123]

I don't give a stuff about looking 'old'. The wrinkles show you have lived and laughed. Just get enough sleep drink loadsa water keep active and enjoy everything.

[GoddessOfTransformativeWrath]

@PyongyangKipperbang is it wattle 😭😭

[GoddessOfTransformativeWrath]

I think at around 47 my focus changed and i am also less scared of looking old. My identity has caught up. I want to look healthy and happy

[Lookingmyagenow]

I'm 54 and look old or my age at least. I've spent most of my life outside so the sun damage is probably all to blame. I wear sunscreen all the time now but too late really although it might slow things down a bit.

I'm very slim and pretty healthy, would like to say it doesn't bother me but it does tbh.

[billy1966]

@Shaminon
That's some make over you gave yourself👍. Well done.

I'm mid 50's and look very well.
I play a sport 4 days a week which keeps me fit and mentally well.

I don't think skinny is a good look as you get older.
Better to be a size 12 and look fresh.

Factor 50 in my 40's insured my skin is in good shape.
I'm a serum junkie. I think they are better than moisturizer at giving your skin what it needs.
Vitamin C in a serum is one to look out for.
Also retinol with hyaluronic acid.
These in serums have managed to keep my skin very smooth and unlined.

Soft hair style, layers, good colour/skin match.
Water/Sleep/Self care....all obvious.

I heard somewhere... everything that you do for your skin in one decade you will reap the rewards of in the following one.
I believe this to be true.
Well worth slapping on the factor 50 and the serums in your 30's.... because by your mid 40's things go south very quickly if you haven't.

Looking well for yourself is important.
Well worth investing a bit of time in and it doesn't have to cost a fortune.

Aldi do a great factor 50 super sensitive cream for under a fiver for children. They also great ranges of face creams etc.

The key is to keep your skin cleansed, factor 50'd and moisturised.

[Iamthewombat]

I’m 48 and I’m just noticing the first signs. I am luckier than most, think it is because I have no children (of my own anyway) and hence lost less sleep, and stayed out of the sun. My sister, who has three kids and is a sun worshipper, is two years younger and looks ten years older.

I am under no illusions that cleaning my face with oil will hold back the ageing process! But having oily skin has been an unexpected blessing. I used to hate it, but it definitely wrinkles less than dry skin.

[PomBearWithAnOFRS]

I got my first grey hairs at about 24.
When I went to uni I was 29, and everyone else on my course was 18. My PFB was 9, so they were closer to his age than mine. That was when I first started to feel old I think.
For the last 10 years or so I look in the mirror and my Mam looks back, and I feel ancient! I am 49.

[Inanothertime]

45.
I'm fat so don't have wrinkles but hair greying, eyes fading, eyelashes falling out, tired looking.

[Magissa]

In my forties and early fifties I easily looked ten years younger. Suddenly almost overnight I looked older than my age. I was under stress coping with my father's dementia plus work issues. My eyes became droopy and my hair was awful. I just looked and felt old. Quite depressing at the time. Now I am just resigned to it.

[PyongyangKipperbang]

@GoddessOfTransformativeWrath

Wattle, yes.

Fuck.

I suppose its better than Turkey Neck..... small mercies and all that.

[recklessruby]

I m 52 soon and still have oily skin and hair which seems to stave off the ageing process but if I miss sleep I look old.
Only have a few lines round my eyes, high cheekbones/ strong jawline so no sagging skin.
However I have a granny belly after having 2 dc and gaining/losing lots of weight.

[ByeMF]

Late forties I definitely aged. I think the box dye made it worse. I look far better now my hair is natural - I'd go as far as saying I look pretty good with a bit of make up. I'm slim and dress well. But I absolutely refuse to play the 'try and look younger game'. Why should we be ashamed of being the age we are?