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Style and beauty

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At what age (honestly) did you look your best?

189 replies

catsaremylife · 21/05/2023 21:00

Society tells us that youth is beautiful, but I look at photos of myself at 18 and think I looked a total state! No idea about how to dress, skincare, and I still had the puppy fat.

Maybe I'm deluded, but I think I started to look my best from my very late 20s (in early 30s now), but maybe that's due to lots of things - being healthier, exercising more, better fashion, taking care of my skin etc.

OP posts:
CrunchyCarrot · 21/05/2023 21:41

I think my early 40s. During my 30s I was in an abusive marriage and was in a bad state, so sadly what should have been a good decade was anything but. I haven't had kids so no body changes due to that. I gained a lot of confidence in my early 40s and I think that showed.

LubaLuca · 21/05/2023 21:41

Early 20s. I looked great for a few years, very fit and full of life, and I could afford to dress well. I haven't improved with age, unfortunately.

Loafbeginsat60 · 21/05/2023 21:42

39/40 I did a lot of fitness and was tanned and happy.

Two years later I need to get back to that!

orangeclubsarebest · 21/05/2023 21:42

My body was banging when I was 18-21, by 22 I had 2 dcs and the body went downhill from there!

In terms of style, hair, face etc I think I look my best now. I'm 35. I dress to flatter my body, my hair is long and thick and healthy, I have reclaimed some decent eyebrows! I do need Botox though!

SirenSays · 21/05/2023 21:42

18/19 or maybe 24/25. Now I'm pretty sure I look the worst I have but I feel the most confident.

Aozora13 · 21/05/2023 21:46

My thirties. I was a slightly grubby sorry grungey tomboy teen, then in my 20s had zero confidence and didn’t know how to be “myself” which really showed. Then I started exercising and feeling more comfortable in my own skin. I also had more disposable income to buy better quality clothes and makeup. Style wise I think I’ve properly hit my stride now in my early 40s but 3 babies (last one at 40), chronic illness and likely peri menopause have taken their toll on my complexion, hair and general vibrancy.

Twoshoesnewshoes · 21/05/2023 21:48

Early 30’s.

my youngest of 3 was around 4 so body had recovered from babies mostly.
I think I just worked out how to manage my hair!

PermanentTemporary · 21/05/2023 21:48

At my most confident and with a stone off - 49-50.

I was probably objectively hottest at 21 - 22 but who isn't? I couldn't stand my own face at that time and also thought my breasts and bum were underwhelming. I wish I'd understood that I looked good. But because most women are breathtaking at that age I was well below average. Tbf all the women in my family have better sharper cheekbones as we age which helps.

Pissedoffandcovidy · 21/05/2023 21:50

Early to mid thirties here too. Had a bit of a resurgence after losing baby weight and splashing the cash on clothes in my early 40s but that might have just been in comparison to the absolute fat exhausted mess I was for a few years having my last baby at 40….

LodgeLiving · 21/05/2023 21:51

I looked my best from 25 - 30, great figure, glowing complexion and shiny hair. I convinced myself at the time that I wasn't slim enough, my hair was too frizzy, etc.

I'm almost 40 now and after having 2 DC and years of sleep deprivation, I'm overweight and grey haired with bags under my eyes and crows feet. I'd kill to look like I did in my late 20s again!

BanditsOnTheHorizon · 21/05/2023 21:53

Mid 30s to early 40s

Needapadlockonmyfridge · 21/05/2023 21:54

Aboit 30 years ago <sobs quietly>
Wish I had known. I was convinced I had a big tummy and odd knees.
I definitely didn't!
Now I just look forward to my eyesight getting bad enough that I can't see my wrinkles properly.... 😁

KatharinaRosalie · 21/05/2023 21:56

Mid to late 30s. Into fitness, but also finally had money so could afford a good hair stylist, eyebrows and such, and to buy good quality clothes that actually suited me, not just whatever was on sale.

maddiemookins16mum · 21/05/2023 21:57
Fizbosshoes · 21/05/2023 22:00

I think mid-late 30s for me. I'm 45 now and I think I look OKsometimes

arghtriffid · 21/05/2023 22:00

20-24

Cece92 · 21/05/2023 22:02

Body wise I'd say just before I fell pregnant so 20-21 I had been hitting the gym and more active as o had found out I had PCOS. I dropped quite a bit of weight and was a healthy size 12, chesty and hippy though (still am). Skin and hair id say now (early 30's) my sister says I look the best I ever have. So I'll take that lol! X

ThePoshUns · 21/05/2023 22:02

Now

dudsville · 21/05/2023 22:06

My 40s was a good time for me. I can look back on pics of being young and appreciate moments, but my 40s was upper level. I've struggled with weight since then and i keep trying to get back to what i was in my 40s!

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 21/05/2023 22:07

Early 30s. Not sure whether it's a coincidence that it was just just before I had children. I piled on weight after that, I lost it again in my late forties, great for my health, not so good for my face and neck...

GoodVibesHere · 21/05/2023 22:08

21-25

illiterato · 21/05/2023 22:09

32-35.

AgneathaTheCat · 21/05/2023 22:09

I might be an outlier but i have been happy with my looks at all ages, now nearly 50.
i would happily alter a few things with a magic wand but who cares?

lots of internalised misogyny here tbh.

coloursquare · 21/05/2023 22:10

28

ReiterateOrganism · 21/05/2023 22:10

Now. And I’m perimenopausal. That makes me look tired but otherwise I think I look great. I wasn’t as comfortable with myself when I was younger.