How can I make myself look older? (Pics included)

[Makemeover]

Excuse the unflattering photo, im rubbish at selfies. I hate the way I look, people often think I'm 16 and I hate it, I'm fed up of being spoken down to and not taken seriously. What can I do to make myself look more my age? I'm 27. Will try and add another pic but it will only attach one atm.

You shouldn't feel bad about it, you'll be grateful one day!

But from that photo, I would say your eye make up is quite teenagery and defining your brows more would make you look older. Do you ever wear your hair down?

You could experiment with different hairstyles but I’m not sure if it would make much difference. Maybe a grown up wardrobe would help but you look lovely the way you are so I would accept you look young if I were you. Does it affect you in the workplace?

Hair down and get a make over from a department store or something. Your make up does look quite teeny I'm afraid...

You look gorgeous!
To look a little older I think I'd concentrate in getting a hair 'style'. Maybe wear it down, shoulder length and choppy. What about a long fringe?. Think I'd go to a good hairdresser for a consultation.

I looked young when I was in my 20s til mid 30s best thing I did to age me was children
You need grown up hair a ponytail can feel younger, then for work grown up tailoring.
Alternatively ignore the being spoken down to and develop your assertiveness ( not saying you aren't being assertive).

Op, your skin is gorgeous!!!
If you wear smart, quality clothes that may help

How could you hate the way you look? You're gorgeous! To look older I would use less eyeliner and a darker lipstick, and get a haircut/style that sits softly around your face.

I would possibly go to a bobbi brown shop or counter to get some tips on make up products and application. I agree, your make up is making you look even younger. I’d basically try more subtle, gentle make up. Less of the black and more muted colours, maybe a bit of matte eyeshadow to soften everything even more.

Your lovely big eyes and lovely fresh face aren’t something to be upset about I can totally see why you want to be taken seriously. So I wouldn’t put your hair up like that because it accentuates both of those. I agree, a more grown up hairstyle might help a bit.

Clothing. Upscale a bit if you can, in terms of style and quality (although you will want to avoid looking like you’ve dressed up in your mum’s clothes, so you need to be careful about it). I would probably go more classic rather than trendy, in your shoes, to just give off a more put together vibe. If you can afford it I would try to stay away from New Look and places like that where very young people tend to shop as it will be contributing to the overall youthfulness of your look.

Is it at work or out and about that this happens, or both?

Mascara only on the top lashes was a tip from my older sister.

OP you have amazing skin and lips.

You’re beautiful btw. And I agree, developing the way you carry yourself and making sure you have an assertive vibe and that you claim your space in the world, will help too (and as a pp said, not saying you don’t already do this).

Eye make up looks like a teenager. So just mascara. I think you’d suit a bob and fringe, that would make you look more like late 20’s.

Either lip stain or different eye makeup, some nice 'grown up' earrings, hair down or fringe I think.

I have/had (before children!) to properly do makeup, not dress like a teenager (hoodie and jeans) and wear nice earrings. Now I've had children I can go back to wearing hoodies and dinosaur earrings as they make me look older

You look lovely, but if you want to look older a different hairstyle with lift to the roots and a little less eye make-up should add a few years.

You're so pretty OP. In the nicest possible way (genuinely) as others have said, I think potentially it's the way you're doing your makeup, coupled with your hair back like that I think it gives off teenager/school vibes.

I'd shape and fill in the eyebrows especially, tone down the eye make up, less black, especially on the lower lash line, use a lighter consistency base, lightly contour the face and introduce lip colour. None of it needs to be heavy.

If your hair is long I'd take it a bit shorter and have some balayage or similar.

But really OP, there is nothing wrong with how you look, you're gorgeous. As someone who also had the issue of looking young in their twenties- I'm now on the way to 32 and ageing's finally kicked in on my face and I regret ever moaning.

Have a think at how you dress and behave, posture etc- it's often these things that make people respond to someone as though they're younger. I used to find I'd almost adopt the submissive role of 'young' because I was so paranoid about 'knowing' I looked it I suppose. Stopping doing that and being more confident and direct changed more than altering appearance for me.

You are very pretty.

Less eye make up. Colour on the lips. I think a fringe would suit you. Also consider your clothes. Are you dressing like a teenager?

You could be a model.
I love your eyes/eye makeup

Why would anyone want to change that? Love yourself OP. you are lovely.

Firstly, you are extremely pretty.

I think it’s the make up that’s making you look like a teenager - the bare lips and heavy eyeliner is very typical of all the teen girls I see at work. If you wanted to look older, tone down the eyes a bit - maybe eyeliner and mascara on the top lashes/lash line only, something on your lips (doesn’t have to be heavy) and a lighter, deeper foundation or tinted moisturiser. And potentially a more ‘grown up’ haircut?

This is all great advice and very helpful thank you I have booked in to the hairdressers for a consult and a restyle next friday i struggle with my hair because it is so so thick if i go too short i just look like that crazy knitting lady off wallace and gromit. I will ease up on the eye makeup too.
Re the clothes I do have a shitty jumper on in that pic but generally try to wear nicer blouses and things if going out.

Get yourself signed up with some agencies and get some extra 🤑🤑🤑🤑🤑

Tone down the eyeliner

Darker lipstick

Define your brows

Hair down

You are gorgeous OP, but I get why you want to look older. Pps have given great advice but I would also say posture and attitude make a huge difference.
Standing straight but relaxed not stiff as a board, moving confidently and "with purpose" as opposed to hovering/fidgeting and having a in control attitude/being comfortable in your own skin will make you seem older regardless of physical appearance

I was you OP. No I'm 40 I want to be you again as annoying as it was at the time. Dress older, haircut older and make up older are my best advice. But be warned this too will pass

It's tough because people don't take you seriously

I'd maybe have a fringe too.

Can I ask what sort of thing do you wear?

I know it's not helpful but OMG, you look stunning! If I looked half as beautiful as you, I won't change a thing. You lucky thing.