So what do I make of this?

[googlenut]

Feel this is the start of many threads I may make this year. I'm staring 50 in the face this year. Feel I look ok, still size 8, blonde hair no grey, runner so still look lithe. But just been in the company of someone who wasn't surprised I'm 50 this year. So I must be looking old. Help!! What can I do to look more youthful?

she was probably jealous.

Size 8, blond and lithe at 50....she was definately jealous

It is odd when that happens.People always used to be surprised at my age now they don't bat an eyelid

Are you possibly a bit too thin for your height, this can make wrinkles show more.

What's wrong with looking the age you are?

I mean, don't get me wrong - I dye my hair and avoid frumpiness like the plague, but at 37, I'm not striving to look 25. I just want to look well, and like I give a stuff about myself. I cannot fight off the crow's feet and eye bags, or the crepey skin forming here and there. That's what gives us away - the things we can do nothing about.

You said yourself you're still blonde and trim. Be glad. Youth is unattainable to you now.

Isn't there a wise old adage about how the trick is not to look younger but to look good for your age?

pictish 30s is a different kettle of fish to 45 onwards

Exactly. It's about being proud of what you are and what you have. That's what people find attractive - confidence and self assurance.

Noddy I can imagine - but what are you going to do? You can't be something you are not.
There isn't anything that makes any of us look more youthful, unless you look young for your age anyway.
The adverts lie.

Totally agree about 45 onwards being a whole different kettle of fish. Also I do think if you put on a little (very little!) weight it makes a big difference to your face.

And spend more on skincare. Maybe a facial now and again.

And probably cut down on the booze.

God, being old is depressing.

What does a face cream have to include, in order to be labelled anti wrinkle or age defying?

Well, to be honest you might be dressing as mutton making yourself look older, or your make-up might be dated (I have a friend in her 50s, slim, no grey hair, nice clothes, but wears frosted lipstick - dates her terribly. Is your hair brassy or too young for you. Sometimes I think in a quest to look young we can date ourselves a bit.

Would you be brave enough to post a photo?

No booze in the week Botox Moisturiser No stress I agree like to look well but we are conditioned re youth and some younger people look terrible!

Face cream has to include a spf factor of 15 or above to be labelled as anti wrinkle or age defying.
The scientists that don't work for cosmetics companies say that any bog standard moisturiser combined with sun protection of 15+ will do the very same thing as your most high end pot of magic beans.

That's because our skin partly reflects our lifestyle and the environment. Sun is damaging. So is smoking 20 a day. Overall though, what you get to contend with is genetic.

Don't bother paying out big for skincare. Botox on the other hand, that would be a viable option. I'm dubious about how successful it is, but I really know very little about it.

Botox is amazing. My mum looks young though as do all my siblings. I had lines due to squinting forehead only so has worked well for me whereas mate had it and her forehead is smoother but her face is sun damage and she isn't going to have it again as looks odd.

It's much more complimentary to be told that you look good for your age (even with wrinkles) than to have compliments about a chemically induced ironed expression.

btw if you look expressionless and ironed you are using the wrong doctor!

I recently had my hair cut from long to v.short (purely because I fancied a real change).

The amount of people who have said 'it makes you look younger/ oooh it takes years off you!'

I should take it as a compliment, but I can't help wondering what I looked like before I'm only 37 FFS, that's still young in my eyes!

37 is young

Maybe they were surprised you were 50 because they thought you were younger?

Thanks noddy

Ah Pictish.... You have much to look forward to! .

I sympathize with OP. I was 50 last month. I look fine with my makeup on but can not, NOT leave the house barefaced anymore! I look tired and washed out. Up to my mid forties, I was constantly causing genuine surprise about my actual age but, it does catch up. Can't remember now, if I have a photo on my profile but you know I think we expect too much of ourselves these days. SUCH pressure to look amazing/exercise/earn/keep house and kids......

Op, just do the best you can with what you have (and you sound to be in good shape) and bugger everyone else!

Re 45 being a different kettle of fish, since turning 45, I and have twice been asked for ID when buying wine, and I also got ID'd trying to get into a nightclub!