What makes someone look 20, 30 or 40? (I always get mistaken for younger.)

[roselune]

I'm 40 and really fed up of getting mistaken for younger, especially in a work context. I recently had someone ask if I was under 30. 🙁 I work in a profession (self-employed) where people are more likely to choose someone around their own age or older (because of life experience as well as work experience) so it's actually affecting me professionally.

I've read all the usual articles with tips from how to do your make up to what to wear but I think in my case it comes down to my facial features and I just can't change that. I already wear glasses, keep my make up quite natural, dress smart-casual as appropriate for my job, wear my hair up (and have an increasing amount of grey hairs that should make it obvious I'm not 25!). Looking at people my age on social media for example I can see how my face looks much younger though. I'm nearly the same age as Kate Middleton for example and even with her generally amazing skin and all the money she can spend on her looks no one would mistake her for being in her 20s because of her features.

What do you think is the difference between how most women look in their 20s, 30s and 40s? What makes you think "she's about 40" compared to thinking "she's in her late 20s". 🤔

I love a good guessing game !

Exactly.

I think posters who say 'I look 15 years younger than I am' and then press post without uploading a photo of themselves should get a lil electric shock. Just a teency weency one. I'm sure MN could program that in.

Tina Barrett from S club 7 still looks in her twenties to me. She is 46!!

I'm petite and slightly built, so look quite girlish, and have quite a wide-eyed face. I think my oily skin contributes, but it causes different problems!

Short is usually the thing! That's it. You're right though, if in doubt just look at your university photos and the difference, facially, will be apparent.

I have really thinning hair and a massive nose so it is as others said the skin and genetics that are the main cause of looking so young. Not always neat, small features.

I've just looked her up. She does look very well, mid-late 30s possibly, but she also looks like she's had botox

Do you know anyone in their 20s in real life?

I’m just interested because the juniors where I work who are 23-28 look so much younger than Tina Barrett does, and it’s not a trendy fashion-conscious industry or anything - they’re ‘normal’ twentysomethings.

May I suggest a rainmate, a tartan shopping trolley and some orthopedic sandals?

I got mistaken for being my husbands daughter 3 times last year!

Being petite and delicate looking is the main reason I think (and OH is balding and going grey!).

This.

I think it is also a reflection on the person asking. They might look at you and think you look 20 years younger than them, but in their head they are 40 when actually they are 60!

In my head I am only about 25 so I cannot really get my head round people in their 20s being adults. I can recognise they are definitely younger than me so they must be about 15 😀

I think she's grown into her look and looks better now then when she was in S club 7.

I'm laughing at the word petite used instead of calling a spade a spade and saying short! It's not even talking of build as that's being described separately.

Unbelievable I know @buiny that a woman can be short AND slim, therefore petite. Wild I know.

60 fags and half a bottle of gin a day, plus plenty of sunbathing smothered in olive oil should do the trick.

Happy to help.

I’m 42. Very regularly people think I’m 28-30. I meet a lot of new people and clients through work and usually when it gets to the point we chat about families they recoil when I tell them the age of my dc! I think it’s my demeanour / mannerisms mostly. I don’t think I look 42 but I think I look around 35 but others think I’m much younger. I don’t wear make up either except mascara so maybe that makes me look younger ?

Good point @trilbydoll

I know plenty of women in their twenties. She wouldn't look out of place in their group. She is incredibly youthful looking. She's a few years off 50 which is insane.

recoil

Being small and having a round face helps, up to a certain age. Also your manner - being assertive makes people think you are older.

Many people are delusional but I do know a Sikh woman who at 37 genuinely looked about 22. She's about 50 now and still looks in her mid 30s - she attributes it to avoiding marriage and living the life of Riley instead . She smokes occasionally too! There is no justice.

Though everyone thinks they look young for their age, in my experience.

I am the exception to this @buiny. I’m 45 and pretty sure I look at least 50. I partied a little too hard through my 20s 😬 Fags and sunshine are really bad for your skin folks!

I think you missed the point @lostnights which was about language rather than plausibility.

I'm late 40s and frequently get told I must be late 30s. I think I look my age.