What age did your looks start to fade?

[SalJ90]

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

35/36 years old

I actually think I looked better in my 30s than my 20s. And looked awkward and gawky as a teenager. I put on weight in my late 30s and actually felt sexier.

Now I've had kids I think I look tired, skin less good etc. But it doesn't really bother me. I have more confidence so, if I wasn't married, I definitely think I would still be desirable!

@Alonelonelylonersbadidea

I'm 48 and think I still look ok (though noticeably older since around 44), but I find it hard to say as my friend is 50 and is convinced she looks decades younger - which is nuts but it wouldn't be good to say anything (though she criticises my face at every opportunity).

Friend?

Late 30s when I had kids. The fall from youthful looking was dramatic!

You get an invisibility cloak when you start the menopause. You either collapse under it or stand up. I vote for standing up.

I’m 41 and in the last few years have noticed more grey hairs, lines and cheeks starting to sag. This is more on close inspection by myself though, I think I still look ok with a bit of make up and my hair done. Definitely considering Botox in the very near future though.

People are more than just their physical appearance

They’ve never faded. Just, um, adapted to changing circumstances 😉

I'm 53 and look just as good to me than I ever did. Not younger just grown into myself. I'm probably kidding myself or dont have my glasses on but who cares. Its probably because I'm fitter than I ever was and that's a huge plus.
We need to stop with this invisibility shite. Who are we invisible to? Men who like young women? Other women who envy us? So the fuck what. Older women are constantly being put down. Why would we want to do that to ourselves? It's all about attitude plus a bit of extra effort to look after ourselves in whatever way we feel we need it.

At 37

About 9. I was cute before that. Been ugly ever since.

My dh says his work colleagues say I’m attractive and tell,him he’s punching lol.
However, at 49 I don’t feel it as I’m very stressed with various things going on in my life and so am feeling my age right now.
Even though I’m still the same size 10 I’ve always been and look similar to 10 years ago it’s the little things which make me feel my looks have faded like my skin has much less elasticity, skin in general is less radiant more blotchy/uneven in places, the skin on my face seems to have taken a more grey yet ruddy look, I feel older and more tired so feel I look less attractive (thank God for make up!).
Personally right now though, I would swap looks and being attractive to others for feelings alive, vibrant and energised which I most certainly don’t feel right now.

I'm 42 and everything takes more work, skin is definitely greyer and needs more hydration, you put weight on easier, hair definitely isn't as easy to manage but I honestly honestly think everyone can suit their age no matter how old if they just remember they deserve to be looked after. So eat better, drink more water, get more fresh air, use moisturiser and pamper yourself, go swimming and walking, wear make up if you so like, take time over your hair, take time to rest and breathe...

Im 42 now and funnily enough when I was the younger mum women this age warned me this would be when I would lose my youthful looks 😭 which I thought was mean at the time.
I have a stubborn hormonal belly and my skin seems drier but yet prone to acne. I'm also waking up with brain fog.
Looked in my late 20s early 30s just a few years ago.
Also the pandemic and catching covid has taken some toll I believe.
I went for a facial for the first time ever. I might have to this regularly. Still not keen on botox and filler though!

About 54 I think. 8 years after earlyish menopause. I'm not right bothered though.

I'm 50 and look possibly my best ever!

45 ie a few years ago...mostly lower face sag. I think that is really aging. I'm more interested in looking good for my age than young. It's a privilege to age so it's more about not writing oneself off. Does take more effort though.

25

I found having babies at age 30 onwards I looked better than ever in my due to a better lifestyle and appreciation of exercise. I guess this is key really for aging well.
Cosmetic procedures are just silly in my opinion.

I don't know... I guess I can only judge it on how others react to me.

I think I hit a peak around 23 but I don't think I look that different face-wise but I have gone up 2 dress sizes (from slim to average) and got a few grey hairs but my hair colours not natural anyway and hasn't been since 13 lol (and my tits are no longer perky without a bra but others wouldn't know that).

I haven't been hit on by random men in years and I don't notice any breaknecks walking past anymore... although my husband will chuckle when we are out and when I ask why he claims to have seen some guy 'checking me out'.

I don't think I lost my looks necessarily but I've lost my 'availability' and I exuded a 'settled' vibe so no point in people wasting time hitting on me anymore - I have been completely stable and settled since about 25 so that's when men stopped approaching me to tell me I'm 'beautiful'.

I could probably tidy up a lot more if I put the effort in but honestly, I'm the mam at the gates with barely brushed hair, old jeggings, and no makeup... I feel too old and tired to spend 40 minutes primping and preening in the morning.

I'm 44 and the last 5 years have not been kind to my looks. But that could be more that I've had a lot of trauma and stress in that period.

Late twenties. Chronic illness including weight loss, malnutrition, chronic pain and chronic sleep deprivation. I can honestly say at 32, I look like complete and utter shit.

Genuinely considering multiple cosmetic surgeries.

Mid-50s a decade after menopause.

@ravenmum

We can't change our instincts on what we find attractive, it's probably what's allowed us to continue to evolve And that's why evolution has weeded out all the ugly people over the millennia, making us progressively more and more beautiful so that today we all have perfectly shaped features and incredible, sculpted bodies.

Not quite what I said... but ok.

Early 40s. My chin is jowly and my neck is awful. I often look very, very pissed off when I'm not and I think it's down to my wrinkly forehead. My teeth are more stained than ever from coffee.
I don't drink or smoke (did both in the past), I sleep the best I ever have and I've lost weight but I still look shit and haggard.
I don't wear make up, never really did but always looked good in my youth without it.
I've been through huge amounts of stress, personal upheavals, legal problems, chronic illness and become a carer. I would imagine that has all contributed to my appearance.
But on the upside I'm in a happy, calm relationship and I feel mentally well for the first time. I am very grateful to be alive and I try and smile whenever I remember to.