When you look in the mirror do you like what you see?

[LoveBeingAMum555]

Just that really. I am mid-fifties, lucky enough to be able to afford facials and nails done, and I am just about to get my teeth whitened. I have a good hairdresser, eat well and exercise regularly. I feel like I have a fairly good idea of what clothes suit me.

But when I look in the mirror or see a photo of myself I don't like how I look at all. I always think everyone else looks better than me. My son is getting married this year and thinking about outfits and being on show on the day has made me realise how little confidence I have in my appearance.

Do other people feel this way? Can I change how I see myself?

I actually don’t understand what happens between getting dressed and having my photo taken.

If this were not a forum where I would like to stay anonymous- I could show you two photos taken on the same night and without exaggeration there appears to be a two stone difference and I look like two different people.

I do not get it at all…….

@Sweetbeansandmochi I hear you, I will look in the mirror and feel great, then see photos taken and they’re awful!

I'm 53 and also have a child getting married this year. There's nothing like the thought of photos that people will be looking at for years after to make you feel self conscious is there.

I dont mind my face in the mirror but I hate how my face and body look in photos, I dont understand how they can be so different!

From the neck down I'm very happy...the neck up, however, I hate it. I've learned to live with my face, but have it all the same.

I don’t like how I look at all but it doesn’t really bother me that much, I accept that a certain percentage of people are beautiful and so a certain percentage is also very plain, I just happen to fall into the latter category.
The things that I’m not entirely happy with aren’t things I could easily change or are just impossible ie big wide feet, so I try not to dwell on it but some days I do avoid the mirror.

I do for the most part but if I see someone looking fabulous it does take from how I feel about myself. I compare a lot, it’s a desperate thing to do but I can’t help it.

I am a similar age, I just see s face that has aged a little but have no strong feelings and certainly do not compare, what the point? No one looks like me as I dint have an identical twin. Seems like a self esteem issue to me that needs exploring.

Happy enough with my body but hate my face, to the point I think I’ve had BDD at certain points in my life and it’s overtaken my thoughts for days/weeks at a time.

It’s no way to live. I have two daughters and I desperately hope they don’t go through the same.

I’m sixty. My body is in pretty good shape at size 8. It looks OK in clothes, not so great naked!

My face has been affected by gravity, which is simply unavoidable really. I don’t care enough to spend money on rectifying this. I just try to avoid mirrors.

I love this post! The whole realistic humourous light-heartedness of it... I want this attitude!

Nope. I don’t like what I see one bit.

I can relate (as you may see from my username!). I'm pretty much exactly a year on from chemo. The gradual going-back-to-normal-ish (albeit one breast down, plus weird eyebrows...) has been joyous. I guess it's not often in life that people start looking better rather than worse as time passes... it's nice to be looking better than a year ago!

Not one bit. When I was younger I was always an attractive size 14. But now I’m 40 I’ve put on 4 stone and I’m a size 18-20. My double chin is wobbly and I’m not half as attractive as I was. I try to be kind to myself and wear clothes that look nice but I just feel gross. It really doesn’t help that I have a mil that comments on my weight. I wish I cared less.

Never trust a photograph, any photo of me is just awful, and I'm sure I don't look that bad in real life or I would never go out.😅 I met a woman on holiday last year who said there are virtually no photos of her because she feels the same way

No, I have a noticeable eye problem, I’m very fair and whilst I’m not overweight, I’m a pear shaped size 10-12 with a bit of a tummy. Luckily however, I’m ‘ good at doing my hair and make-up. My hair is dyed pink and I do get compliments which is nice. I wear Nivea Q10 bronzing lotion to take the edge off my fairness (only do that in Summer) and I wear clothes in styles and colours that suit me. I’m 51

always look awful in front on photos cause of my eye, not too bad with side on photos. Changing room mirrors can be brutal. Recently had an awful experience in M&S, every bit of cellulite showed and I just looked like a dumpy middle aged woman. TBH I find a lot of the time that clothes from teenager shops suit me better, love Stradivarius, River Island, Bershka and New Look

Depends on the mirror. My main bathroom mirror loves me. No other mirror, no camera, thinks as well of me as this mirror. This mirror thinks I'm the bees knees. I think of me a well as this one mirror, and then I get surprised each time another mirror or a Pic tells a different story. I think the rest are telling tall tales. 😂

No, I hate it. I'm fat and dumpy but somehow also haggard-looking and even when I try really hard to look put-together it still looks all wrong on me. It takes up so much of my mental energy and I feel angry that I can't stop being like this, but I just can't help it. It's exhausting, honestly.

Yes. Especially since hitting 40 and now mid 40s feel better than ever confidence wise.

'Comparison is the thief of joy . . .'

M & S mirrors and lighting can be brutal - someone should tell them 😂

I used to, from the neck up at least. Perimenopause has really done a job on me since Christmas, my skin and hair are in bits. Have an appointment with a specialist consultant next month so looking forward to that.

Nope, I see my granny staring back at me. Not impressed!

Early 60s and live rurally. Mostly hair is tied up. and have just a bit of tint on face, blush and mascara but think I still scrub up well. I still get regular compliments from men and women.
I do spend to achieve that tho - botox twice a year , regular facials, highlights every 6 weeks, regular mani/ pedis, gym membership, also had very subtle brow micro blading and lip tinting this year. These were really worth the investment as they give a little definition to my mature features without having to use too much makeup which is aging and looks a bit trying too hard.

Working full time late 50’s - doesn’t do much for my eye bags! Stopped wearing make up and just wear a tinted spf now - can’t be bothered dolling myself up anymore! Home dye my hair as refuse to go grey though!