To ask for tips on how I can look more my age

[permbabyface]

I am 24. However people always seem to think I am a lot younger than I am and are surprised that I am any more than 16-18. For example I got asked if I was over 18 last summer when buying hay fever medication at Boots. I ordered a brownie dessert at a restaurant recently and the waitress immediately responded, "you always know what the kids are going to order!" Even at the check in desk at the airport last week when travelling with other family members (all over 18), the lady asked for an "adult passport" to associate the suitcase with, as though only some of our passports fitted that criteria.

I know that (as I keep being told!) I am lucky to look so youthful, but it is affecting my confidence. I am a 24 year old woman, not a child and I hate feeling I am being treated as younger than I am. It makes me feel small and ashamed. I feel like I have to justify my age when I meet new people by breezily saying "everyone says I don't look it but I am actually 24" so that they don't write me off into the child category. I feel it can affect my ability to build adult to adult relationships.

I dress similarly to others my age, so not as if I am wearing childish clothes. I am generally quite conservative with my clothing but not excessively so. I don't always wear makeup but when I do it is usually light such as foundation and mascara. I don't really want to have to change my makeup habits just to please others as opposed to because I personally want to. But how can I make sure that people know I am not 14?!

Do you have a job which requires more formal clothes, or is everything casual? Maybe avoid hoodies, jeans and trainers and try to have more of a shaped hairstyle (eg a Bob) if you normally just have long hair/a ponytail.

Darker lipstick, in a matte colour perhaps?

Try advanced search OP.

There seems to be a thread like this every week, so there'll be lots of hints and tips for you to read.

For example I got asked if I was over 18 last summer when buying hay fever medication at Boots

I wouldn't worry about this. It's like being asked for ID for alcohol. They are trained to be cautious so unless you are clearly well over the limit, they will ask. I got asked for ID when buying alcohol when I was in my early 30s and it really annoyed me. I had a discussion with the manager and they said the staff are trained that if they can't say for certain a person is over 25 then they will card them.

The bigger issue I think maybe that it's more a problem in your head than it is in reality. I'm not saying that people don't think you are younger at first sight, but once you start to interact with someone you soon realise their life experience etc means they are older. My guess is that this has become " a thing" for you = as you say it affects your self confidence. I think you'd be better off spending time on trying to address your feelings about this issue because it shouldn't be affecting you or something you are that worried about.

In terms of what you can do for yourself, that would help, because self-confidence projects maturity.

The last time I got IDd for buying alcohol I was 41 🤣

I just think some people aren't very good at reading someone's age.

If I was you I would just work on your confidence - one day you will appreciate your youthful looks!

I always looked young for my age. Still do in my 40s. It is an advantage in the end. I wore more classic clothes, less on trend clothes. And kept my makeup simple and classic and not heavy or following any extreme trends. Teens tend to wear heavier makeup than people in their 20s. But just enjoy it and use it to your considerable advantage and never forget your id!

Brilliant! Thanks for the laugh @permbabyface 😂

Your username!!! 😆

I'd recommend having a child or three, you'll look older in no time at all once they start sucking energy directly from your soul.

I remember always having to casually get my age into an interaction somehow for reasons like you say op as I looked really young. It's such hard work!

If could give any advice to my younger self it would be, it's hard to change a baby face and it will take years to mature into looks that don't look like a teen/young adult. So work on your self confidence and self esteem, that will ease it until you are older and won't care as much.

Your OP reads very childish - that could be partly the reason. Last thread the poster was advised to post a pic and hide their eyes. Didn't you see it? Maybe try that with a full length pic and we can give you tailored advice.

You’re 24. It’s completely normal to look young at 24. It’s pretty much impossible to tell age under 30 as most people in their 20s do not have noticeable signs of aging. Being asked for I.D or mistaken for a teenager is just a normal part of being 24, it doesn’t necessarily mean you look miles younger than you are.