Aging and what makes women look older than they are

[DontMentionChorizo]

Uhmmm.. I have been exercising and eating better lately, which has considerably improved my skin and this got me thinking about things that make you look older than you are.

BTW I am 37 so no spring chicken meself . I would say for me these stand out:

Being overweight
Dressing frumpily
Smoking
Having loooong unkept hair

What do you think? and on the other hand what makes women look younger?

Lighthearted thread, btw

I think clothes and haircut have a huge impact, hence the amazing results you see on those make-over shows (not the extreme plastic sugery ones!!).

Frumpy old-lady clothes are hugely aging.

Like purplepeony, intrigued by all this - I'm 'even' older than 55 !! A lot of common sense here - I hope not about self-hating but making best of what you have and keeping interested in life, including its more superficial, but fun, aspects.

On hair colour, I'm 'still' blonde. Don't feel barking - or not for that reason anyway - and don't plan to 'go grey' (or whatever colour I am) in foreseeable future, though looks great on some people. The blonde - and its highlights/ lowlights - has just evolved over the years, with the help of good hairdressers. Won't get into the short/long thing except to say anything too 'done' is aging, whatever the length.

And particularly agree with those advocating minimalist approach to make-up. As you get older, few things more aging than heavy eye make-up, bright/ matte lipstick, and powdery/ glittery textures which settle in the lines. Luckily,plenty of great 'no make-up make-up' around these days.

It is when you see that awful combination of clothes chosen because they have to fit a bo;dy that has gone to pot around the waist. The top that isn't designed to tuck in, the saggy arsed strechy trousers, the Hotter shoes all topped off by the beige or navy anoraky parka ....

And that dreadful wearing of pink or red school girl styled shoes that they think are "fun"...

Being overweight is aging, short boring hair.

Can see most people have said smoking but I smoke and don't look any older than friends my age who don't, so not always the case.

Anything in cerise pink.

traceybath Sun 26-Sep-10 12:16:29

Wearing same clothes/make-up/hair style that you did when you were 21.

Agree totally. My lovely MIL is slim, with very good skin and hair, and would look at least 10 years younger than her age, were it not for the fact that she continues to dress like Melanie Griffiths in Working Girl.

sun-aged skin.

I have friends in their mid-30s who look nearer 50 (to be fair, like a dressing well, fit for their age 50) because their skin is already so wrinkled from too much sun bathing. smoking probably has a similar effect...

I think you can tell when people smoke, it becomes more apparent the older they get. It's just a certain look around the mouth, the eyes and the texture of the skin. Not everyone of course as some people are blessed with good genes to compensate for the fags!

Smoking, smoking, smoking
Also hair, makeup and clothes.

I am nearly 52 and work with two women who celebrated their 50th birthdays this year. They both thought they were 10 years older than me and were depressed to find out that I was older. They smoke and I don't. You can tell it in their skin which looks grey and wrinkled.

I admit to wearing frumpy clothes when I am at home (I work part time). I wear flat shoes when I pick DD up from school - usually trainers.

I started going grey in my thirties and have been having my hair coloured for years and will continue to do so, but going lighter and lighter. I hate dyed black hair with one inch partings when the hair grows.

Long hair just does not suit me, so I keep it short.

Make-up - Less is definitely more. I am very lucky that I have good skin, so I wear Vie tinted moisturiser or Bodyshop minerals foundation. Harsh lipstick is not a good look on older women, neither is harsh black eye make-up. My eyes have the most wrinkles so I tend not to wear much eye make-up as I don't want to draw attention to them. Usually I wear a little eye liner. I have dark eye lashes so don't need mascara.

I have read somewhere that when you get older it's either your face or your body that looks good.

argh i have something on pratically everyones list and alouiseg i am going out tonight wearing my lovely new cerise cardi

Eyebrows make a difference, I think. Going from untamed to groomed can take five years off you, so the corollary must be true.

if you think old you will be old - if you think like yourself you will be yourself I would rather grow old undignified than worry about what people think of me

my dd came hoem from her dads' most upset as he told her I looked 10 years older than I am..I explained that I didn't care how old I was just as long as I can keep up with her and on a bike I can, in the pool I can and running around I keep my own. If you can keep up with a 11 year old your doing fine

Oh Riven, me too, I love my straggly scruffy long hair, my cerise pink clothes, my sensible walking shoes and my crafty 5 ciggie a day habbit. I'm off to DIY store to buy a bucket. From now on, I won't be seen in public without it.

trefusis that is so true. Also add to that:

can't have dyed hair, but can't have grey hair
can't wear flat shoes, but can't wear heels

Bloody hell. I'm fucked then. Best become a hermit...

the thing i have found takes some years off me is to have a fringe cut in, a heavy long fringe just on the eyebrows.

and some sparkly make-up, its a foundation/moisturiser thingy from no.7, tinsy tiny little bits of gold fleck which make the skin sparkle and detract from the lines!

I don't understand the need to think - i'm 40 now, best have a bob....i'm 55 now, best get it all chopped off etc.

Trefusis. Hit, nail, head.

Cannot win.

wear a heavy fringe, hides my wrinkles.

I noticed I am getting a bit of a turkey neck

Hang around with young people and people who make you feel good. As told to me by a 75 year old ex teacher who still worked with teens (and was flying off the next day to USA to visit her son in an old folks home there)....

Grow up
Grow old

Me too Riven!

Actually I can't say I care that much. I smile a lot and that seems to help.

Yes Riven - if you follow the ageing stereotypes, even if they're 'correct' then you are bound to look older once you adopt the beige flat fronted trouser and cardie look so beloved by many...

Stands to reason...