Small details that make a person seem more youthful

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's more about attitude than appearance. People who do the following seem old:

- groan when standing up or sigh when sitting down
- talk about napping all the time
- express surprise about friends staying out "late"
- people who seem lazy or don't want to do anything that involves physical effort (like walking from the far end of a parking lot, or going for a walk, etc.

In terms of appearance, don't shop at places like the old lady clothing stores suggested here.

Agree. My friends who appear older have a lot of stress & anxiety, lots of worry lines and tight-knit brows. Finding ways to reduce stress is important.

[Anonymous]

Laugh! Snort if it’s really funny. Be aware of what’s current in young culture (this is hard)—video games, apps, music, YouTubers. Don’t have a stick up your @ss all the time about what your neighbors are doing, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I regularly get mistaken for someone 10 years younger than I am (I am 42, often get mistaken for early 30s). Here's what I think does it:

- Athletic. I used to be a personal trainer and still work out daily. I also walk almost everywhere I go and have lots of active hobbies (biking, hiking, rock climbing). This should be obvious, but the more active you are, the younger you will appear. It's not just that it makes your body look better (though it does), it also give you more energy, keeps you more flexible, helps maintain balance, etc. These feel like intangibles but spend some time watching how people move through the world. Exercising and feeling fit will make you appear younger without having to do anything to your clothes or hair.

- Minimal makeup. Granted, I think I have some good skin genes and my skin still looks pretty good despite not always being religious about skincare (I am now, but wasn't always when I was younger). But even if I had more wrinkles, I think a good quality CC cream plus some mascara and maaaaaybe a sheer cheek tint is plenty for most women. I went through a lipstick phase but stopped it specifically because I think it makes me look older (emphasizes thinning lips and tiny lines around my mouth that you didn't notice if I just wear a lip balm). I also think eye makeup is especially aging on older skin because it settles into all the fine lines. If you have the time to really make it look right, it works, but for every day? You will look more youthful with just a swipe of mascara and a relatively clean face. I have started to do my brows daily though, but that has to do with having light hair and needing some definition. I don't think it's necessary if your brows are already darker -- just tidy them up a bit.

- Keep clothes simple. Nothing too trendy, but I also keep things fairly streamlined. Agree that updated denim is key. So many women my age are afraid of higher rises and non-skinny jeans. I get it, but once you take the plunge, you can see it looks better. My favorite jeans right now are a highish rise with a straight leg in a mid-blue. Classic and easy. With a tee or tank tucked in, a hip-length blazer, and a pair of flats, it's such an easy look that doesn't make me look like I'm trying to be a teenager, but is in style in a way that won't date me. And it's easy and the pants are comfy! There's really no downside.

- Don't overdo technical fabrics and athleisure. I have and wear leggings. I own a fleece jacket. But I do not do head-to-toe athleisure very often. I think actual young people can pull this off and still look young. But once you're in your 40s, you just look like somebody's mom (full disclosure: I am somebody's mom). But a 40+ woman wearing black leggings/joggers, sports bra with athletic top, and a fleece jacket, plus sneakers, every day? It's not that it makes you look super old, it just pegs you to a certain stage of life -- school drop off, soccer practice, Saturdays at the playground, etc. Yes, it's plenty of women in their 30s doing this too. But the point is that it wears different once you're over 40. Putting in a smidge more effort will help a lot.

Genuine question: what are the circumstances under which people are guessing your age? It truly does not come up in conversation and I’m quite confident that it’s not because I look uncommonly old or young for my age.

NP but this comes up all the time and the skepticism is sort of... Well, to be fair, I guess it's both warranted and weird.

I'm sure lots of people think they look younger and absolutely do not, even if once in a while someone is surprised at their age.

But it's sort of weird to think you're going to "gotcha" an anonymous person online with this. And there are all kinds of ways age comes up in one way or another, or it's obvious in some way that people think you are approximately whatever age (like PP who has people CLEARLY assuming she and her son are on a date).

I look at least somewhat younger than I am, and have since I was 30. There are lots of ways age can come up without anyone having to go out of their way to ask or mention it.

-Getting carded, specifically at a place that doesn't card everyone, when they're not even carding everyone at the table-- and this happens frequently-- I know it may only be that they think I am under 35, not under 21, but still

-I say I'm going to my HS reunion or it's my anniversary, and someone asks what year/how many years and then seems genuinely shocked/has to do the math-- sure, maybe they're blowing smoke, eh, IDK

-My new boss keeps making cultural references and saying I wouldn't know about them. Cultural references from... the 80s and 90s. I was born in the 1970s. My supervisor called me and told me he had to repeatedly insist upon how old I actually am, because big boss kept assuming I was a dozen years younger

-People assuming my brother, who is 10 years younger than I am, is the older sibling

-I could go on

Sure, you can poke holes into all of these things! Maybe my little brother looks a haggard mess! Maybe my boss has dementia! Maybe the servers are all flirting with me!

It's not even a point of pride with me, per se. It's just a phenomenon that I daresay actually exists (and yes, I said 'daresay' in an online forum! ooh, no one will card me now!)

It's even more extreme with DH, who is an actor and constantly asked to audition for 30-somethings. He's over 50. Then again, not everyone is white.

Another NP here.. It comes up all the time randomly with me and has been for at least 15 years, often mistake for 10 years younger. I am now 50.
- showing ID for alcohol purchase recently and young cashier couldn't believe I was 50
- for as long as I can remember people always commented they couldn't believe I had a daughter that was (fill in the blank) age... She is now 27. Now people are surprised when they find out I have a grandson
- people are surprised when they hear how long I've been married (nearing 29 years)
- a lady I was talking to recently commented I was probably around her daughter's age (40)
- my mother was telling someone she her daughter was 50 (and that person commented they would have never guessed I was that old)

These are just a few examples.

I will say it must be somewhat genetics though. My parents and some other relatives are also mistaken for being much younger than they are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I regularly get mistaken for someone 10 years younger than I am (I am 42, often get mistaken for early 30s). Here's what I think does it:

- Athletic. I used to be a personal trainer and still work out daily. I also walk almost everywhere I go and have lots of active hobbies (biking, hiking, rock climbing). This should be obvious, but the more active you are, the younger you will appear. It's not just that it makes your body look better (though it does), it also give you more energy, keeps you more flexible, helps maintain balance, etc. These feel like intangibles but spend some time watching how people move through the world. Exercising and feeling fit will make you appear younger without having to do anything to your clothes or hair.

- Minimal makeup. Granted, I think I have some good skin genes and my skin still looks pretty good despite not always being religious about skincare (I am now, but wasn't always when I was younger). But even if I had more wrinkles, I think a good quality CC cream plus some mascara and maaaaaybe a sheer cheek tint is plenty for most women. I went through a lipstick phase but stopped it specifically because I think it makes me look older (emphasizes thinning lips and tiny lines around my mouth that you didn't notice if I just wear a lip balm). I also think eye makeup is especially aging on older skin because it settles into all the fine lines. If you have the time to really make it look right, it works, but for every day? You will look more youthful with just a swipe of mascara and a relatively clean face. I have started to do my brows daily though, but that has to do with having light hair and needing some definition. I don't think it's necessary if your brows are already darker -- just tidy them up a bit.

- Keep clothes simple. Nothing too trendy, but I also keep things fairly streamlined. Agree that updated denim is key. So many women my age are afraid of higher rises and non-skinny jeans. I get it, but once you take the plunge, you can see it looks better. My favorite jeans right now are a highish rise with a straight leg in a mid-blue. Classic and easy. With a tee or tank tucked in, a hip-length blazer, and a pair of flats, it's such an easy look that doesn't make me look like I'm trying to be a teenager, but is in style in a way that won't date me. And it's easy and the pants are comfy! There's really no downside.

- Don't overdo technical fabrics and athleisure. I have and wear leggings. I own a fleece jacket. But I do not do head-to-toe athleisure very often. I think actual young people can pull this off and still look young. But once you're in your 40s, you just look like somebody's mom (full disclosure: I am somebody's mom). But a 40+ woman wearing black leggings/joggers, sports bra with athletic top, and a fleece jacket, plus sneakers, every day? It's not that it makes you look super old, it just pegs you to a certain stage of life -- school drop off, soccer practice, Saturdays at the playground, etc. Yes, it's plenty of women in their 30s doing this too. But the point is that it wears different once you're over 40. Putting in a smidge more effort will help a lot.

Genuine question: what are the circumstances under which people are guessing your age? It truly does not come up in conversation and I’m quite confident that it’s not because I look uncommonly old or young for my age.

NP but this comes up all the time and the skepticism is sort of... Well, to be fair, I guess it's both warranted and weird.

I'm sure lots of people think they look younger and absolutely do not, even if once in a while someone is surprised at their age.

But it's sort of weird to think you're going to "gotcha" an anonymous person online with this. And there are all kinds of ways age comes up in one way or another, or it's obvious in some way that people think you are approximately whatever age (like PP who has people CLEARLY assuming she and her son are on a date).

I look at least somewhat younger than I am, and have since I was 30. There are lots of ways age can come up without anyone having to go out of their way to ask or mention it.

-Getting carded, specifically at a place that doesn't card everyone, when they're not even carding everyone at the table-- and this happens frequently-- I know it may only be that they think I am under 35, not under 21, but still

-I say I'm going to my HS reunion or it's my anniversary, and someone asks what year/how many years and then seems genuinely shocked/has to do the math-- sure, maybe they're blowing smoke, eh, IDK

-My new boss keeps making cultural references and saying I wouldn't know about them. Cultural references from... the 80s and 90s. I was born in the 1970s. My supervisor called me and told me he had to repeatedly insist upon how old I actually am, because big boss kept assuming I was a dozen years younger

-People assuming my brother, who is 10 years younger than I am, is the older sibling

-I could go on

Sure, you can poke holes into all of these things! Maybe my little brother looks a haggard mess! Maybe my boss has dementia! Maybe the servers are all flirting with me!

It's not even a point of pride with me, per se. It's just a phenomenon that I daresay actually exists (and yes, I said 'daresay' in an online forum! ooh, no one will card me now!)

It's even more extreme with DH, who is an actor and constantly asked to audition for 30-somethings. He's over 50. Then again, not everyone is white.

Another NP here.. It comes up all the time randomly with me and has been for at least 15 years, often mistake for 10 years younger. I am now 50.
- showing ID for alcohol purchase recently and young cashier couldn't believe I was 50
- for as long as I can remember people always commented they couldn't believe I had a daughter that was (fill in the blank) age... She is now 27. Now people are surprised when they find out I have a grandson
- people are surprised when they hear how long I've been married (nearing 29 years)
- a lady I was talking to recently commented I was probably around her daughter's age (40)
- my mother was telling someone she her daughter was 50 (and that person commented they would have never guessed I was that old)

These are just a few examples.

I will say it must be somewhat genetics though. My parents and some other relatives are also mistaken for being much younger than they are.

You may indeed look young, but the bolded surprise I think is that you did these things very young. Most 50 year olds around here didn't get married at 21 and have a baby by 23, so you're an outlier in that respect regardless of what you look like.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can get all the botox in the world, the best and most timely plastic surgery, have the creamiest most subtle and expensive color, the hottest body and the most on trend clothing, but once you get that sunken hips and knee area, the jig is up even from fifty paces.

I’m 41. I look 41. There’s no fooling and I think that many - not all of you, some people genuinely look young! But many of you are hugely deluded. We age as a species, if we’re lucky. Keep trying to chase your youth, but know that you look like a textbook case of denial while doing it.

What’s this sunken hip and knee area about?

The osteoporotic shriveling of bones and loss of muscle.

Won’t lifting weights and running keep that from happening?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Age is in the knees. Walking fast with good posture and jumping up and down off street curbs (instead of pausing and hefting oneself up and down while grunting or panting/sighing) shaves decades from how one appears. Bonus points if done in heels (sorry flat-shoe loving earth muffins). Knowing current events and technology. Judging less. Knowing when to talk and when to shut up. Wit and laughter- even at low brow humour. Lighten the f*ck up.

This is a new one to me!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well moisturized hair - doesn’t have to be a particular types of hair, but frizzy dried hair from too much product/styling/processing makes you look older.

Soft shiny hair is youthful

I really agree with this one. It's hard to LOOK youthful without really well maintained hair.

When you're young, you can get away with doing nothing to your hair. But as you get older I think you really need to take care of your hair to make it look healthy; if you color, it needs to be done by a great colorist.
I know some people who definitely have a youthful demeanor but don't actually look youthful b/c their hair looks old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I regularly get mistaken for someone 10 years younger than I am (I am 42, often get mistaken for early 30s). Here's what I think does it:

- Athletic. I used to be a personal trainer and still work out daily. I also walk almost everywhere I go and have lots of active hobbies (biking, hiking, rock climbing). This should be obvious, but the more active you are, the younger you will appear. It's not just that it makes your body look better (though it does), it also give you more energy, keeps you more flexible, helps maintain balance, etc. These feel like intangibles but spend some time watching how people move through the world. Exercising and feeling fit will make you appear younger without having to do anything to your clothes or hair.

- Minimal makeup. Granted, I think I have some good skin genes and my skin still looks pretty good despite not always being religious about skincare (I am now, but wasn't always when I was younger). But even if I had more wrinkles, I think a good quality CC cream plus some mascara and maaaaaybe a sheer cheek tint is plenty for most women. I went through a lipstick phase but stopped it specifically because I think it makes me look older (emphasizes thinning lips and tiny lines around my mouth that you didn't notice if I just wear a lip balm). I also think eye makeup is especially aging on older skin because it settles into all the fine lines. If you have the time to really make it look right, it works, but for every day? You will look more youthful with just a swipe of mascara and a relatively clean face. I have started to do my brows daily though, but that has to do with having light hair and needing some definition. I don't think it's necessary if your brows are already darker -- just tidy them up a bit.

- Keep clothes simple. Nothing too trendy, but I also keep things fairly streamlined. Agree that updated denim is key. So many women my age are afraid of higher rises and non-skinny jeans. I get it, but once you take the plunge, you can see it looks better. My favorite jeans right now are a highish rise with a straight leg in a mid-blue. Classic and easy. With a tee or tank tucked in, a hip-length blazer, and a pair of flats, it's such an easy look that doesn't make me look like I'm trying to be a teenager, but is in style in a way that won't date me. And it's easy and the pants are comfy! There's really no downside.

- Don't overdo technical fabrics and athleisure. I have and wear leggings. I own a fleece jacket. But I do not do head-to-toe athleisure very often. I think actual young people can pull this off and still look young. But once you're in your 40s, you just look like somebody's mom (full disclosure: I am somebody's mom). But a 40+ woman wearing black leggings/joggers, sports bra with athletic top, and a fleece jacket, plus sneakers, every day? It's not that it makes you look super old, it just pegs you to a certain stage of life -- school drop off, soccer practice, Saturdays at the playground, etc. Yes, it's plenty of women in their 30s doing this too. But the point is that it wears different once you're over 40. Putting in a smidge more effort will help a lot.

I wear updated jeans to keep with the trends and appear more youthful so to speak, but in no way do high rise jeans and non skinny pants make someone look “better”. They are objectively less flattering.

But therein lies the rub... women start to age, get chubby around their middle, and have to start wearing stuff to try and be more flattering. So the "more flattering" stuff is a give away of being old.

In any event, being skinny solves the issue - high rise jeans look decent when you're skinny. The problem arises when you have a mom pooch - that's when they don't look good.

Very few people can truly pull off the current trend styles including high waist, flared ankle etc. It looks more “updated” but isn’t flattering to most women and that even includes thin women (who aren’t as tall as the models who sell the looks).

Not sure anyone is really pulling off the current ugly trends - young, good-looking people look good despite these clothes, not in any part because of them. And that’s probably why they wear them, the “I’m so hot I can wear truly ugly clothes and still look hot” vibe

Reminds of a comic I heard talking about the sexual revolution of the 70s and how it was less about sex and more about trying to get out of those ugly clothes

LOL that’s awesome.

[Anonymous]

What does sunken hips look like? I really want to know.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think thin can actually make a woman (or a man, for that matter), look older at a certain point agewise & depending on how thin. I'd say looking fit is more like it.

This. I see some of the older Hollywood women who are still gorgeous, but so thin or muscular that they look . . . . sinewy. To me that is not youthful. A bit of plumpness is younger looking, to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think thin can actually make a woman (or a man, for that matter), look older at a certain point agewise & depending on how thin. I'd say looking fit is more like it.

This. I see some of the older Hollywood women who are still gorgeous, but so thin or muscular that they look . . . . sinewy. To me that is not youthful. A bit of plumpness is younger looking, to me.

Yes. Like Celine dion. That poor woman could use some fat. She looks much older than she is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I regularly get mistaken for someone 10 years younger than I am (I am 42, often get mistaken for early 30s)...

LOL. You are 42. Everyone gets mistaken for their 30s at 42.

Get back to me in 10 years.

This is 100% correct. Women age a lot and differently between 40 and 50, because of menopause more than between 30-40 and 50-60 imo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I regularly get mistaken for someone 10 years younger than I am (I am 42, often get mistaken for early 30s). Here's what I think does it:

- Athletic. I used to be a personal trainer and still work out daily. I also walk almost everywhere I go and have lots of active hobbies (biking, hiking, rock climbing). This should be obvious, but the more active you are, the younger you will appear. It's not just that it makes your body look better (though it does), it also give you more energy, keeps you more flexible, helps maintain balance, etc. These feel like intangibles but spend some time watching how people move through the world. Exercising and feeling fit will make you appear younger without having to do anything to your clothes or hair.

- Minimal makeup. Granted, I think I have some good skin genes and my skin still looks pretty good despite not always being religious about skincare (I am now, but wasn't always when I was younger). But even if I had more wrinkles, I think a good quality CC cream plus some mascara and maaaaaybe a sheer cheek tint is plenty for most women. I went through a lipstick phase but stopped it specifically because I think it makes me look older (emphasizes thinning lips and tiny lines around my mouth that you didn't notice if I just wear a lip balm). I also think eye makeup is especially aging on older skin because it settles into all the fine lines. If you have the time to really make it look right, it works, but for every day? You will look more youthful with just a swipe of mascara and a relatively clean face. I have started to do my brows daily though, but that has to do with having light hair and needing some definition. I don't think it's necessary if your brows are already darker -- just tidy them up a bit.

- Keep clothes simple. Nothing too trendy, but I also keep things fairly streamlined. Agree that updated denim is key. So many women my age are afraid of higher rises and non-skinny jeans. I get it, but once you take the plunge, you can see it looks better. My favorite jeans right now are a highish rise with a straight leg in a mid-blue. Classic and easy. With a tee or tank tucked in, a hip-length blazer, and a pair of flats, it's such an easy look that doesn't make me look like I'm trying to be a teenager, but is in style in a way that won't date me. And it's easy and the pants are comfy! There's really no downside.

- Don't overdo technical fabrics and athleisure. I have and wear leggings. I own a fleece jacket. But I do not do head-to-toe athleisure very often. I think actual young people can pull this off and still look young. But once you're in your 40s, you just look like somebody's mom (full disclosure: I am somebody's mom). But a 40+ woman wearing black leggings/joggers, sports bra with athletic top, and a fleece jacket, plus sneakers, every day? It's not that it makes you look super old, it just pegs you to a certain stage of life -- school drop off, soccer practice, Saturdays at the playground, etc. Yes, it's plenty of women in their 30s doing this too. But the point is that it wears different once you're over 40. Putting in a smidge more effort will help a lot.

You do know that saying "smidge" gives away your age, right?

The issue this person’s post misses is that navigating through perimenopause and menopause is the hardest part for women. Me at 42 is totally different than me at 48. It is horrible.

Right?! I was probably at my hottest at 42 and that PP seems to think she is doing awesome for being so “old.”

Hang in there 48-year old PP, you’re probably in the worst of it right now - it gets better.

Thank you for this. I’m not the PP but a 50 y.o. really needing to hear this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I regularly get mistaken for someone 10 years younger than I am (I am 42, often get mistaken for early 30s). Here's what I think does it:

- Athletic. I used to be a personal trainer and still work out daily. I also walk almost everywhere I go and have lots of active hobbies (biking, hiking, rock climbing). This should be obvious, but the more active you are, the younger you will appear. It's not just that it makes your body look better (though it does), it also give you more energy, keeps you more flexible, helps maintain balance, etc. These feel like intangibles but spend some time watching how people move through the world. Exercising and feeling fit will make you appear younger without having to do anything to your clothes or hair.

- Minimal makeup. Granted, I think I have some good skin genes and my skin still looks pretty good despite not always being religious about skincare (I am now, but wasn't always when I was younger). But even if I had more wrinkles, I think a good quality CC cream plus some mascara and maaaaaybe a sheer cheek tint is plenty for most women. I went through a lipstick phase but stopped it specifically because I think it makes me look older (emphasizes thinning lips and tiny lines around my mouth that you didn't notice if I just wear a lip balm). I also think eye makeup is especially aging on older skin because it settles into all the fine lines. If you have the time to really make it look right, it works, but for every day? You will look more youthful with just a swipe of mascara and a relatively clean face. I have started to do my brows daily though, but that has to do with having light hair and needing some definition. I don't think it's necessary if your brows are already darker -- just tidy them up a bit.

- Keep clothes simple. Nothing too trendy, but I also keep things fairly streamlined. Agree that updated denim is key. So many women my age are afraid of higher rises and non-skinny jeans. I get it, but once you take the plunge, you can see it looks better. My favorite jeans right now are a highish rise with a straight leg in a mid-blue. Classic and easy. With a tee or tank tucked in, a hip-length blazer, and a pair of flats, it's such an easy look that doesn't make me look like I'm trying to be a teenager, but is in style in a way that won't date me. And it's easy and the pants are comfy! There's really no downside.

- Don't overdo technical fabrics and athleisure. I have and wear leggings. I own a fleece jacket. But I do not do head-to-toe athleisure very often. I think actual young people can pull this off and still look young. But once you're in your 40s, you just look like somebody's mom (full disclosure: I am somebody's mom). But a 40+ woman wearing black leggings/joggers, sports bra with athletic top, and a fleece jacket, plus sneakers, every day? It's not that it makes you look super old, it just pegs you to a certain stage of life -- school drop off, soccer practice, Saturdays at the playground, etc. Yes, it's plenty of women in their 30s doing this too. But the point is that it wears different once you're over 40. Putting in a smidge more effort will help a lot.

You do know that saying "smidge" gives away your age, right?

The issue this person’s post misses is that navigating through perimenopause and menopause is the hardest part for women. Me at 42 is totally different than me at 48. It is horrible.

Right?! I was probably at my hottest at 42 and that PP seems to think she is doing awesome for being so “old.”

Hang in there 48-year old PP, you’re probably in the worst of it right now - it gets better.

And mid 50s is totally different than late 40s/50…just you wait. I was looking damn good at 50 (hadn’t hit menopause or close to it)…56 is a different world.

From what I’m reading it doesn’t necessarily track with a specific age but really when you go through menopause. Some in their mid/late 40s and some like you in your early 50s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I regularly get mistaken for someone 10 years younger than I am (I am 42, often get mistaken for early 30s). Here's what I think does it:

- Athletic. I used to be a personal trainer and still work out daily. I also walk almost everywhere I go and have lots of active hobbies (biking, hiking, rock climbing). This should be obvious, but the more active you are, the younger you will appear. It's not just that it makes your body look better (though it does), it also give you more energy, keeps you more flexible, helps maintain balance, etc. These feel like intangibles but spend some time watching how people move through the world. Exercising and feeling fit will make you appear younger without having to do anything to your clothes or hair.

- Minimal makeup. Granted, I think I have some good skin genes and my skin still looks pretty good despite not always being religious about skincare (I am now, but wasn't always when I was younger). But even if I had more wrinkles, I think a good quality CC cream plus some mascara and maaaaaybe a sheer cheek tint is plenty for most women. I went through a lipstick phase but stopped it specifically because I think it makes me look older (emphasizes thinning lips and tiny lines around my mouth that you didn't notice if I just wear a lip balm). I also think eye makeup is especially aging on older skin because it settles into all the fine lines. If you have the time to really make it look right, it works, but for every day? You will look more youthful with just a swipe of mascara and a relatively clean face. I have started to do my brows daily though, but that has to do with having light hair and needing some definition. I don't think it's necessary if your brows are already darker -- just tidy them up a bit.

- Keep clothes simple. Nothing too trendy, but I also keep things fairly streamlined. Agree that updated denim is key. So many women my age are afraid of higher rises and non-skinny jeans. I get it, but once you take the plunge, you can see it looks better. My favorite jeans right now are a highish rise with a straight leg in a mid-blue. Classic and easy. With a tee or tank tucked in, a hip-length blazer, and a pair of flats, it's such an easy look that doesn't make me look like I'm trying to be a teenager, but is in style in a way that won't date me. And it's easy and the pants are comfy! There's really no downside.

- Don't overdo technical fabrics and athleisure. I have and wear leggings. I own a fleece jacket. But I do not do head-to-toe athleisure very often. I think actual young people can pull this off and still look young. But once you're in your 40s, you just look like somebody's mom (full disclosure: I am somebody's mom). But a 40+ woman wearing black leggings/joggers, sports bra with athletic top, and a fleece jacket, plus sneakers, every day? It's not that it makes you look super old, it just pegs you to a certain stage of life -- school drop off, soccer practice, Saturdays at the playground, etc. Yes, it's plenty of women in their 30s doing this too. But the point is that it wears different once you're over 40. Putting in a smidge more effort will help a lot.

You do know that saying "smidge" gives away your age, right?

Haha just what I was thinking. I’m surprised PP didn’t pick up on that with her try hard post.

LOL, a long answer is "try hard" now? Typical DCUM.

--not PP

DP. Yes, the PP is a try hard.

So many women on this forum just D-Y-I-N-G to talk about themselves. At great length. Yawn.

As opposed to what, in an anonymous forum? An anonymous forum about beauty and fashion, no less. If it's so B-O-R-I-N-G to you, why read? Yawn.