What age did your looks start to fade?

[SalJ90]

Do we really become less desirable as we get older? Why is this?

I don’t see it as my ‘looks fading’, just evolving. As for being “less desirable” as we age, desirable to who? I’m 62, my DH thinks I’m gorgeous (as I do him at 68). I have no interest in whether or not I look ‘desirable’ to others. I love clothes and feel fabulous on a regular basis.

I looked great for my age until I turned 60. It’s been downhill since then. I’m 63 now and I’m starting not to recognise myself at first when I catch a glimpse of my reflection. It’s a bit of an adjustment and a realisation that things are changing and will never be the same. I’ve found that quite hard. Still I try and think that, in five years’ time, I’ll wish I looked like I do today I also think I’m lucky to have got to this age when so many people don’t get that opportunity.

When I realised Long Covid wasn’t going away.

So I was 45, and the sheer stress of trying to do 10% of what I used to do with 3% of the energy.

Well it shows! My face is saggy and my previously toned muscles are flaccid from lack of use.

I’ve aged a lot with peri menopause and menopause. So I’d say around 45.

@Shehasadiamondinthesky

50 before that I didn't really age but in my 50s everything sagged.

Same ^ as

They haven’t. I’m fucking gorgeous! (And 45)
Fatter, redder and baggier than I was but DNGAF

I don't look how I did when I turned 30, I'm 20kgs heavier, have wrinkles I didn't have then, had my son at 35 after 2 miscarriages and I was at that point working 60 hours week, travelling to work and back 4 hours a day and very stressed. I'm 39 now with a fantastic 4 yr old who make me laugh and I look like I'm Laughing all the time, I actually. I'm ever been happier. honestly who cares, the only opinion I care about is this 4 yr old. Roll on growing as a mum with as many laughter lines as possible.

I have Ehlers Danlos syndrome. For some it brings premature aging, while for others they are forever baby faced. I was graced with the second category which is the only plus side of the condition! I am 50, happy with my looks and have a size 8/10 frame which isn't difficult to maintain as I seem to have dodged middle aged spread. I get more attention from men nowadays than I ever got in my youth, and from feedback then it seems that warm body language and a big smile are the factors. I reckon most women look good at 50-65 if they have a good skin routine, don't smoke, eat well, sleep enough, attend to the hair, dress for their body shape and spend some 'me' time doing whatever makes them happy.

@eldora

For me, it wasn’t ‘age’ that aged me, I had always looked 10 years younger than my real age.

It was the end of one relationship, and then again following the end of a marriage.

If I had had hindsight and known that both men were so unworthy, I would have dumped them before the grief from those relationships changed my face forever.

This is so sad but so true. My ex almost ruined me

The best I have ever looked and felt was ages 26 to 30. I have gained weight since and am finally determined to do feel great again.

8 years old when a violent assault by my DF triggered lifelong trichotillimania and trichophagia.

I think of myself as very fortunate to never have been a great or even average beauty. It is so much easier not having to worry about my looks 'fading' , plus I spend an awful lot of time with people who are in their 80's, 90's and 100's which has a tendency to make you realise what ends up being really important in life as you age.

I was never good looking and don't have any attachment to my looks, although I've always been grateful for having good skin and have always looked younger than I am. But 35 now and have noticed I'm changing quite a bit recently... sagging eyebrows, hint of a double chin (a family aging trait, I'm not overweight) and hyperpigmentation on my skin. I had a photo taken for my new job recently and I actually look like a proper adult woman which was sobering. But that's more about having a realisation of wow! I've been around for a long time than being hung up over looking older.

I think it depends on the person and what they have been through. I have had a stressful couple years with health issues and major anxiety, which I feel has aged me big time, rosacea developed...ruining my once clear beautiful skin. I still am slim with a nice figure at age 39, but all the anxiety and stress I feel aged my face. Although, people still think I am late 20s....I would love to get botox, but am too scared (health anxiety). So ill just have to accept myself aging.

I work with young people. Compared with them, I looked ancient a long time ago!

What makes me sad, is when my 16 yr olds trek me they want lip fillers cos their lips are too thin. But at the same time, they recognise that they only want it because boys find it attractive- but also that boys find it attractive because they're told to.

I looked a good bit younger than my age until my DH died suddenly - I can't believe how much I've aged in that 18 months. It's been such a profound change, it's very weird. I honestly didn't really know that life events could reflect so physically.

Late 30's. A new baby that never slept, terminally ill parent and a breakdown. By the time I reached 40 I looked about 10 years older

This year, bags have appeared under my eyes almost overnight due to insomnia from peri menopause. I’m sleeping now thanks to hrt but the bags remain…
Not smoking or drinking rarely have helped me a lot.

I didn't notice a major change till my mid-50s, and especially late 50s. Like Knitting sometimes I catch myself in a mirror and think "Who's that old/er lady?" - as inside I feel about 45 !!! My skin looks paler and more tired for sure, and my hair is finer and dryer. That said I saw myself in a Zara mirror a couple of months ago and thought I looked great! It really depends on the mirror and lighting haha. I'm not so mad about photos though as the camera always lies .

However, I have a few photos of me in my 20s and another in my 30s where I look terrible. I am either overweight or just look lost or just "not myself" - I was drinking too much, insecure, and clearly didn't know how to look after myself either.

In a way, my looks are now more "me" and I prefer them - I was never big on vanity when young though and when I think back it was clear I never made the most of what I had in the way some women do.

This thread is so sad 😞

@JoshLymanIsHotterThanSam

I am 36 and am still quite regularly told I don’t look old enough to have a nearly 18 year old child. I am aware at the moment I still look young for my age, although my hands are starting to give away my true age. I suspect the next 4/5 years are going to be all downhill

Well, 36 is young to have an 18 year old, so even if you look your age, I'd probably think you look young to have a child that old.

I think on average most people look their best in their 20s/30s. There are of course exceptions to the rule.
I'm in my mid 50s and deffo feel I've gone past my prime sadly

I looked terrible at 36. I was slim and fit but had no money for hair or makeup or clothes. I looked dowdy and 10 years older than my age. I'm 60 now and have disposable income for hair/clothes/tweaks and I look great. I'm not kidding myself I look 20 years younger but I look like a fabulous 50 something whilst when I was 36 I looked like an elderly 40year old.

What looks?

I have a head like a robber's dog, but on a good day I make it to unfortunate.

I always looked much younger than my age, people were always surprised when they found out my age. Then I had kids in my 30s and by 35 suddenly aged really quickly I'm now mid 40s and I definitely look my age it upsets me now that no one is ever surprised when I tell them my age 😢. A woman I know who is older than me late 40s (got no kids) got asked for ID in a pub recently she was over the moon. I really do think having kids makes all the difference to how we age. That's why childless spinsters live longer!