Do women ever look better after 40?

[Anonymous]

I think I look better now at 40 than I did at 20. I was very depressed in my twenties and it showed in my looks, clothes weight and style.

[Anonymous]

I look better in my 40s than in my 20s relative to my peers. Besides getting my nose fixed in my mid-twenties, I have discipline and money to spend on skincare, nutrition, and fitness, and I can now afford to buy nice, tailored clothes and high-quality (natural) makeup.

[Anonymous]

The only women who look better after 40 are the women who had serious health, fitness, weight, style or grooming shortfalls in their 20s and 30s. And then after 40 they became smarter, more aware, got more money and fixed their problems.

For women without underlying problems that needed fixing in their 20s and 30s, the answer is no. A well styled, well groomed woman of 40 does not look better than that same well styled, well groomed woman at 30.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only women who look better after 40 are the women who had serious health, fitness, weight, style or grooming shortfalls in their 20s and 30s. And then after 40 they became smarter, more aware, got more money and fixed their problems.

For women without underlying problems that needed fixing in their 20s and 30s, the answer is no. A well styled, well groomed woman of 40 does not look better than that same well styled, well groomed woman at 30.

I’m also skeptical of this “better than peers.” I’m 49 and most of the women I know put in a lot of effort (eg, exercise, nutrition, well fit clothes, dermatology visits).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only women who look better after 40 are the women who had serious health, fitness, weight, style or grooming shortfalls in their 20s and 30s. And then after 40 they became smarter, more aware, got more money and fixed their problems.

For women without underlying problems that needed fixing in their 20s and 30s, the answer is no. A well styled, well groomed woman of 40 does not look better than that same well styled, well groomed woman at 30.

True, but in our 40s and older, fitness, nutrition, grooming, style, and money matter more than in our 20s and 30s when many women got by on good genes alone. If we are lucky enough to keep getting older, we ALL get wrinkly and saggy and show all the other signs of age to varying degrees. Those of us with money, good habits, and style age better. A few people may look better at 40 than they did at 20, but that's rare. More likely, many of us look better at 40 relative to our peers than we did at 20 relative to our peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The only women who look better after 40 are the women who had serious health, fitness, weight, style or grooming shortfalls in their 20s and 30s. And then after 40 they became smarter, more aware, got more money and fixed their problems.

For women without underlying problems that needed fixing in their 20s and 30s, the answer is no. A well styled, well groomed woman of 40 does not look better than that same well styled, well groomed woman at 30.

I’m also skeptical of this “better than peers.” I’m 49 and most of the women I know put in a lot of effort (eg, exercise, nutrition, well fit clothes, dermatology visits).

That's a case of selection bias and I chose the wrong word. Instead of "peers" (in your case, it sounds like your UMC or wealthy group of friends), change it to "other women of a similar age."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I look *comparatively* better at 40 than when I was younger. That is, I’m a much better looking 40 year old than I was a 20 year old.

OP here. I was very attractive in my twenties. I am well maintained and probably look better than most women in our mid- late forties. However, there is no way I look better now than when I was 25. I used to walk into clubs and get guys hitting on me constantly daily on the street, elevator, grocery store. That does not happen to me now.

Happens to me at 46. Did not happen in my 20s. I think it is confidence level. And I was too skinny.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I look *comparatively* better at 40 than when I was younger. That is, I’m a much better looking 40 year old than I was a 20 year old.

OP here. I was very attractive in my twenties. I am well maintained and probably look better than most women in our mid- late forties. However, there is no way I look better now than when I was 25. I used to walk into clubs and get guys hitting on me constantly daily on the street, elevator, grocery store. That does not happen to me now.

Happens to me at 46. Did not happen in my 20s. I think it is confidence level. And I was too skinny.

Women who were skinny in their twenties often have some nice curves in their forties. And men are simple creatures. They notice the curves.

[Anonymous]

I think aging can be attractive. If you are improving with age, that is. If you are bitter, angry, stressed, impatient, critical and nasty, then it will show on your face. If you have mellowed out, lived an interesting and fun life, take care of your body, and are loved and love, then that will be attractive and something young women won't have until they themselves are older.

I view young people like oh isn't she/he pretty. Like my children are absolutely beautiful. But they are young and I'm in my 40s and that's ok.

[Anonymous]

Turning 60 next year and can't think of any friend that looks "better" post 40. I have many beautiful friends- still very beautiful as they age but not better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I look *comparatively* better at 40 than when I was younger. That is, I’m a much better looking 40 year old than I was a 20 year old.

OP here. I was very attractive in my twenties. I am well maintained and probably look better than most women in our mid- late forties. However, there is no way I look better now than when I was 25. I used to walk into clubs and get guys hitting on me constantly daily on the street, elevator, grocery store. That does not happen to me now.

Happens to me at 46. Did not happen in my 20s. I think it is confidence level. And I was too skinny.

Women who were skinny in their twenties often have some nice curves in their forties. And men are simple creatures. They notice the curves.

I have one friend who is 43-44 and she looks better now. She got a mommy makeover and has breast implants now. She also has better hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, etc. I’m not sure if she will still look as good in upper forties.

I feel there is a huge cliff dive once you hit your late forties whether it is 45, 48 or 49. I had one friend who I was shocked she was 45 when i met her. I thought she would be in her thirties. Even at 48, she looked fantastic, probably like a super fit late thirties woman. Now she is 50 and looks 50.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I look *comparatively* better at 40 than when I was younger. That is, I’m a much better looking 40 year old than I was a 20 year old.

OP here. I was very attractive in my twenties. I am well maintained and probably look better than most women in our mid- late forties. However, there is no way I look better now than when I was 25. I used to walk into clubs and get guys hitting on me constantly daily on the street, elevator, grocery store. That does not happen to me now.

Happens to me at 46. Did not happen in my 20s. I think it is confidence level. And I was too skinny.

Women who were skinny in their twenties often have some nice curves in their forties. And men are simple creatures. They notice the curves.

I have one friend who is 43-44 and she looks better now. She got a mommy makeover and has breast implants now. She also has better hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, etc. I’m not sure if she will still look as good in upper forties.

I feel there is a huge cliff dive once you hit your late forties whether it is 45, 48 or 49. I had one friend who I was shocked she was 45 when i met her. I thought she would be in her thirties. Even at 48, she looked fantastic, probably like a super fit late thirties woman. Now she is 50 and looks 50.

If you have plastic surgery, I’m not giving that person credit for looking better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I look *comparatively* better at 40 than when I was younger. That is, I’m a much better looking 40 year old than I was a 20 year old.

OP here. I was very attractive in my twenties. I am well maintained and probably look better than most women in our mid- late forties. However, there is no way I look better now than when I was 25. I used to walk into clubs and get guys hitting on me constantly daily on the street, elevator, grocery store. That does not happen to me now.

Happens to me at 46. Did not happen in my 20s. I think it is confidence level. And I was too skinny.

Women who were skinny in their twenties often have some nice curves in their forties. And men are simple creatures. They notice the curves.

I have one friend who is 43-44 and she looks better now. She got a mommy makeover and has breast implants now. She also has better hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, etc. I’m not sure if she will still look as good in upper forties.

I feel there is a huge cliff dive once you hit your late forties whether it is 45, 48 or 49. I had one friend who I was shocked she was 45 when i met her. I thought she would be in her thirties. Even at 48, she looked fantastic, probably like a super fit late thirties woman. Now she is 50 and looks 50.

Oh. Well not everyone i guess.
Not me

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think I look *comparatively* better at 40 than when I was younger. That is, I’m a much better looking 40 year old than I was a 20 year old.

OP here. I was very attractive in my twenties. I am well maintained and probably look better than most women in our mid- late forties. However, there is no way I look better now than when I was 25. I used to walk into clubs and get guys hitting on me constantly daily on the street, elevator, grocery store. That does not happen to me now.

Happens to me at 46. Did not happen in my 20s. I think it is confidence level. And I was too skinny.

Women who were skinny in their twenties often have some nice curves in their forties. And men are simple creatures. They notice the curves.

I have one friend who is 43-44 and she looks better now. She got a mommy makeover and has breast implants now. She also has better hair, eyelashes, eyebrows, etc. I’m not sure if she will still look as good in upper forties.

I feel there is a huge cliff dive once you hit your late forties whether it is 45, 48 or 49. I had one friend who I was shocked she was 45 when i met her. I thought she would be in her thirties. Even at 48, she looked fantastic, probably like a super fit late thirties woman. Now she is 50 and looks 50.

Sounds about right. Menopause, the great equalizer. *sigh*

I’m 44 and I’ve noticed the cliff dive starts around 42/43 for most women. Like someone up thread pointed out, it coincides with our loss of fertility. It’s nature’s signal to the opposite sex that we can no longer bear children. There are a few hold outs like your friend that last until roughly 50, but they are rare.

[Anonymous]

I do. I had a glow up, as my teen tells me. But it's all relative. I certainly don't look 25 or even 35. But I look fit, happy, and healthy at 50. In better shape, with better style, than 10 years ago.