For heaven’s sake....I’m old!

[MissKittyBeaudelais]

Ok. So all of a sudden, I look old. My eye sight is going so, I thought I was doing ok. When I leave the house in the morning I think I look ok. However, I’ve recently had a few impromptu photos taken outside, in broad daylight and Jesus...I look terrible.

I’m 57 so, I KNOW it’s only a matter of time but even so, my usual facebases are looking heavy and showing wrinkles I didn’t know I’d earned.

I’ve got Chanel Les Beiges and Laura Mercier Oil Free TM. So, do I just except it’s OVER and start to disappear from public life OR... is there anything I’m missing?

P.S. 57 is NOT old. 87 is old.

It's not old but, at 57, you're facing changes to your face that just weren't there at 50. I don't think it does us older women any favours to pretend otherwise.

And while of course I agree with 'wear what makes you happy', I also know that some clothes just don't look the same on me any more. And why would they? I sometimes wonder if there's an element of 'fgs no-one cares what you look like at your age' in that kind of advice. So I struggle with it. Admittedly I'm feeling grumpy today - probably the weather

OP 11st at 5'6" is definitely not fat!!
I'm nearly 5'4" & just under 12st & wearing short dresses & short shorts like everyone else. Ok I'm younger than you but honestly I see lots of women your age & size in shorts & skirts look good in them!

With hair I agree with getting a much younger stylist, my mums 70 & her stylist is 30, mums hair looks amazing & she's always getting compliments. It's shoulder length & cut really well.

My mum is a lot older than you but one bit of advice she gives me is to not wear lots of foundation. Instead try tinted moisturiser, bb cream, highlighters etc. That utan stuff sounds good I shall be looking for that.
Primer on your tzone is helpful too.

I sometimes wonder if there's an element of 'fgs no-one cares what you look like at your age' in that kind of advice.

I can't speak for anyone else Floisme but that is absolutely not what I meant in any way, shape or form . I would give the same advice to anyone of any age.

Yes, different things suit you differently throughout life, as you shape and sometimes colouring changes, but you don't have to break out the twinset and pearls if that doesn't make you happy.

On another thread I mentioned about a more 'mature' lady I saw the other day in a transparent black maxi dress (sort of tiered at the bottom) with a leather jacket and amazing jagged rose quartz necklace.
She had gorgeous silky long grey hair and she looked absolutely stunning (and now I want a see through dress too!) and it suited her down to the ground.

Wearing what you think you should rather than what you want to is slow death for your self esteem. Who in earth is anyone to tell you what you should wear and what's "appropriate"?

Disclaimer - its even later here now, I live in a hot place and I'm fed up after chasing an escaped horse around for bloody hours

This was v similar to what the lady was wearing, but without the too and skirt underneath the transparent dress. She had a figure like Gal Gadot too!

@Floisme, I think you’re right. At 50 I felt fine. Seven years on I didn’t expect my body to start degenerating and my face has every stress etched into it that in previous years, I didn’t really notice. The skin on my forehead has thinned and revealed two lines ON MY SKULL FFS! There’s nothing I can do. I guess they’ve always been there but covered with a layer of something plumptious 😊

@TieraJ I hear you, and that’s great for you 😊. However, my firm plump thickest are no more. @Zafferana... my friend is older than me. She’s known for being outspoken and she is right, I’ve gained weight but she’s been skinny ALL her life. Even through menopause. Lucky lady.

Problem is, I’ve a drawer full of face bases. All promising miracles and after a few weeks I just think “FFS, I don’t really look any different!” I can’t just bin them or maybe I should do a @Floisme and go bare and take a long look at the problem.

Apologies Eaten that wasn't directed at you personally. And I am feeling grumpy today.

I'm not talking about what looks appropriate, whatever that means. I'm talking about how your face, your body and your life change as you get older, and especially as you hit late middle age. It should be possible to acknowledge this.

No worries Floisme, and likewise apologies, I am also feeling grumpy

I work with the general public. There are so many ages coming past me all day.
It isn’t always the younger ones that look the nicest!

Got some pics to post. All today.

Earlyish this morning (blusher and SPF50 with eyeliner) by the sunny window.

On the field with dog.

Later with some Estée Lauder DW Nude mascara and more blush.

I’m purposefully not smiling to show my (suddenly) droopy Rt eye and mouth folds.

What can I do with my neck?! Full on turkey 😐

I’ve never used a serum or retinoids. Don’t know where to start. I’m scared of Botox because I’m oddly allergic (in an anaphylactic way) to a long list of drugs.

Help meeee?

WTF? You've got beautiful skin. This is with no foundation?

I'm 15 yrs younger than you and have rosacea and you look loads better than me

Seriously!! You’ve got over 20 years on me, u look great! Wear what ever you bloody well want

Do you think there’s anything I can do about my eye? I’m really conscious of it and it’s going to get worse.

Should say, the SPF 50 gives a nice glow...kind of a white cast.

Your pictures are lovely! If you’d smiled in the last one, you’d have looked even nicer!
Don’t be too down on yourself.🌷

There are lots of make up tricks to help with your eye.

@WithLotsOfWine, thanks. Yes, a smile does work wonders.

I think I just looks so tired out and troubled (because frankly, I am).

Will try to be a little kinder to myself 😊

I've seen your photos on here before. Lovely skin and hair.

You look pretty good OP.
I look about the same as you and walk around thinking I'm fabulous 😁

You really do look good.

I like the second pic best where your hair is off your face. It makes me wonder whether the long hair is doing any favours. Just a thought.

If the eye droop is sudden I would get your doctor to check it out.

You are so pretty, ignore mean friends and family.

I think you would suit warmer toned clothes. Rich creams and browns (not khaki tho)

@EatenByDinosaurs, the black outfit is amazing. Sadly, my life is muddy fields, hairy dogs, household stuff, Aldi and caring for my son, who is now an adult with autism. I’m a wearer of an occasional skirt, lots of loose cotton 3/4 chino type trousers and linen shirts. For practical reasons 😊

I notice the Utan stuff is on offer in Superdrug so, will get some to try.

@withlotsoflove.. interesting. My mum has droopy kids which got so bad, they obstructed her vision and she had an NHS lid lift but, she was 76 so, something required in the interim, for me.

I’ve ordered some The Ordinary Granactive 2% Emulsion to give it a go. Also some of their Caffeine eye stuff to try as they’re at “try me” prices. Last year I bought some Estée Lauder Night Repair eye cream gel which was £££. For me, it did nothing though people rave about it. I’m sticking with my Dr Organic Manuka Honey Cream because there are days my skin feels sore (fibromyalgia) and it really is like wrapping it in a soft blanket.

@withlotsoflove “droopy EYELIDS” although at the moment....droopy kids also 😁

I have found my people. I'm 51, usually think I look OK when getting ready to leave the house, doing make up indoors etc. Recently had pic taken outside whereby I seem to have metamorphosis into my Gran, plus my hair looks really thin and straggling as well

As I understand it, if it's interfering with vision the NHS should operate, irrespective of age (although admittedly you might end up on a waiting list till you're 76).

As for your skin - it definitely looks good enough to go without makeup for a few weeks. Sorry to bang on but it really helped me see where my problem was.

I think the signs of ageing are harder if you’re gorgeous in the first place .

That’s meant to be a massive compliment. Hope it comes across that way.