If you're in your 60s or 70s and still look good, what advice would you give younger women?

[Ilikepalindromes]

Do you have one tip or product you would recommend?

Don’t smoke.

I'm nowhere near that age (and I don't look great now!) but one thing I notice about women who look good is that their posture is great. The women in my family have upper back fat and it makes you look terribly slouched and bent over. I try to do do upper back exercises every day.

Walk and garden.

I’ve noticed people in their 80s who do these two things look amazing - toned, good posture, alert, positive.

I think someone up thread said I might be a journalist. I wish!That was always my dream job No, I'm 40 myself and my mum is dead, so just looking for advice. I don't look too bad. I'm slightly overweight but I have good skin. I'm aware that the next few years are crucial in how I'm going to age.

@Ilikepalindromes

I think someone up thread said I might be a journalist. I wish!That was always my dream job No, I'm 40 myself and my mum is dead, so just looking for advice. I don't look too bad. I'm slightly overweight but I have good skin. I'm aware that the next few years are crucial in how I'm going to age.

40 is still young. But you do right thinking about your health. Concentrate on that rather than outward. Don't be too afraid of fats in the diet. I'm 53 and yes have good genes but I use oil in cooking ( or dh does) and aren't scared of eating fat. Too many carbs are worse for you imo. Do things to destress. Stress is the worst thing for you.

@Ilikepalindromes it was tongue in cheek, I promise! Just one of those things we get quite a lot of here...

Sorry you haven’t got your mum to talk to about it.

I think the secret is: live well, think well, eat/drink well (which includes the things you love on a regular basis!), value yourself and claim your place in the world. Don’t be a perfectionist. Look after your skin, look after your hair. Smile a lot, engage with people, keep your mind strong and be open to what the universe sends your way.

Meant to say I get taken for late 30s early 40s and have good skin. Have smoked but rarely do now. And regularly drink though much less nowadays.

Oops I forgot, take some form of exercise (something you enjoy) as often as you can.

Thank you :) it's really nice to chat even if I don't know you irl.

My mother looks great. She embraces changes, in terms of make up and clothes and hair and is open to trying on different clothes. She explains that some clothes look better off the hanger and you won't know until you try.

My lovely mum is 70 and looks amazing, very youthful.
She has never smoked, used coconut oil and rosehip oil before it was trendy, walks everywhere, doesn't eat red meat, likes an occasional Guiness, looks after her teeth ( regular dentist trips) & takes her vitamins.

She's genuinely a happy person with a good sense of humour. She enjoys the simple things in life and loves being with her family. It shows in her face , which always seems to glow.

Keep your weight within a tight range

Yes to this. I put on weight easily but try to deal with it quickly. It's easier to lose half a stone than stones. (Obvious I know).

Having not been blessed with good looks I don't claim to look good, but exercise and good posture help to give a decent overall impression. I have to exercise anyway as I get lower back pain if I don't.
I wish I'd known the importance of stretches earlier in my life.

Don't smoke or drink or wear make up. Stay active, normal weight, don't do sunbeds, don't tan yourself to leather in the sun, eat lots of fruit and veg. Look after your inner child!

@ItsSunnyOutside

My lovely mum is 70 and looks amazing, very youthful. She has never smoked, used coconut oil and rosehip oil before it was trendy, walks everywhere, doesn't eat red meat, likes an occasional Guiness, looks after her teeth ( regular dentist trips) & takes her vitamins.

She's genuinely a happy person with a good sense of humour. She enjoys the simple things in life and loves being with her family. It shows in her face , which always seems to glow.

Think being happy with yourself is massive. Friendly, smiling attitude is very attractive on your face and attracts similar. For me..l am happy how l look in my 60s and get compliments still, . Main things are keep yor hair nice, do some kind of exercise as it makes you feel younger and that attitude comes across. I never smoked but have never thought if that makes a difference..l use a simple moisturiser every day but rarely give a thought to that just makes my face feel fresh..no other routine ..ever since my 20s. I did get the Colour thing done years ago and know what colours lift my face so all my clothes are still in that category....and l do notice l get compliments when l have those colours on so that would probably be my main tip.

I’m 74, and hope I still look fairly good!

I think a good haircut is really important, I’ve been going to my Turkish hairdresser for over 25 years, his scissor skills are unrivalled! I like a short pixie-style cut, which has been admired on several occasions.
DON’T be tempted to dye grey hair! Wear it with pride! I’m lucky to have silver hair now, which I love.

I think makeup is important too, facial skin loses colour as you age, can be uneven in colour, and may have the odd facial blemish, so a good foundation and concealer is a must, with a little blusher. Eye makeup too, makes a big difference, I like silvery/taupe shades, which go well with my hair colour. Lipstick in a soft coral or rose pink finishes the look.

A decent, well-fitting bra prevents the droopy boob look, which also comes with age, and makes clothing sit better. Wear clothes that suit YOU, and choose style over fashion, although it’s becoming more difficult to find for older ladies, on the high street. I’ve always worn M&S, but have become very disillusioned with their offerings in recent years.

Try to maintain a decent weight, I went low-carb 6 years ago, and lost a couple of stone, which gave me a big boost, and cutting out sugar is so good for the skin, apart from other benefits.

Above all, an air of self-confidence and pride in your appearance goes a long way.

@Floisme that’s so true about not being seen by young women as well as by young men. I thought that earlier today as my next door neighbour ( 20s, very pretty and evidently spends quite a lot of time on exercising and maintaining her look) barely acknowledged me as we left our front doors simultaneously. I started to notice that in the workplace too around mid / late 40s. My colleagues (overwhelmingly female and 20-30 somethings) somehow were less likely to include me in office gossip, chats etc. I will confess I remember doing same to older colleagues when I started out, seeking out colleagues of my age group and even guffawing to myself when one of the elders struggled to manage basic technology like the hospital bleeping system 😳

I always ask this to any of my elderly patients that look amazing.

Most say they used Nivea all their lives and one said they used Vaseline

Yep, it’s basically genes isn’t it?

How did you get genes from that post? I got Nivea.

Genetics play a big part. I think I’ve been fortunate in this regard as I’m 66 and don’t have facial wrinkles. My neck is slightly crepey though. I’ve never used expensive creams - I use Nivea. Never used sunscreen. Don’t get bothered about drinking lots of water.

My children who are in their early 40’s look very young for their age too.

All the above! Plus
Moisturise your neck
Don’t save anything for best, wear it/use it every day
Don’t be overweight for your height, your knee joints will thank you
Move with the times, embrace everything new, don’t have a fixed mindset
Smile as much you can
Don’t stay for years and years in a job/ marriage/relationship that makes you muserable

Miserable

@Knittingnanny

All the above! Plus Moisturise your neck Don’t save anything for best, wear it/use it every day Don’t be overweight for your height, your knee joints will thank you Move with the times, embrace everything new, don’t have a fixed mindset Smile as much you can Don’t stay for years and years in a job/ marriage/relationship that makes you muserable

Wise words

@Juniper68 thank you. I’m 65 and have tried hard to stick to those “rules” , the last one was difficult but I got out!
I felt I’d succeeded when one of my adult sons told me in a conversation about elderly people “ but not you knittingnanny mum you are young for your age”
Must be all that nivea on my neck!
Ps nivea is great, I’ve never spent more than that on a moisturiser.

Exercise, and pharmaceutical hydration (not high st moisturiser).

My tip is to not get your cataracts fixed. You might fall over a lot and bump into things, but you'll look ok while doing it.

Tongue in cheek obviously

My mother is 68 but is frequently mistaken for my sister, which is mortifying for me, but always puts a spring in her step.

I think it’s a combination of good genes (I resemble my father so not holding out much hope there), good luck, and iron discipline.

She’s never smoked, never drank alcohol, and barely has any salt or sugar. No sunbathing (although she doesn’t do sunscreen either) and no caffeine. Daily weight bearing exercise - she gardens obsessively. She’s a size 12 so not skinny, but has excellent posture.

She swears by minimal make-up, which she removes with baby oil and a damp flannel. That’s literally her entire skincare regime other than washing with soap when in the shower. She does have an expensive hairdresser she sees frequently, and her hair is dyed.

A few things that have definitely aged me, but which she has dodged:

She has never plucked her eyebrows so they’re full and natural.

She’s never worked shifts or long hours or suffered any big work stress.

She’s always had an excellent diet because she’s a really great cook.

She’s always had great health and Bupa healthcare.

She’s never worried about her children’s welfare - we never gave her a moment’s trouble!

No worries about money.