I definitely looked striking in my 20’s, but in a slightly fake way because I couldn’t do any better. When I put myself together now, I’m maybe pretty, but in a much more natural way, which is not something I could have achieved in my 20s. Im happy with this, but it definitely takes the kind of time (and skill) I didn’t have and effort I wasn’t willing to put in when I was younger. I thought a PP put it really well - smoke show to friendly mom! Ha

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I still look great in my late 40s (especially compared to the majority of women in my age range) but it cannot be denied that in my teens and 20s my skin and hair just had that youthful tone and glow that you cannot get back for any amount of money. C'est la vie!

I agree, and as another poster said, this is most obvious when a middle aged woman stands next to her young 20s daughter. Look at Gwenyth Paltrow and Apple, or Reese Witherspoon and Ava. Gwenyth and Reese look great, but their daughters have youth, glowy skin, thicker hair, less sagging skin/eyes, etc.

I think Gwyneth does not look good now, but her dd has none of the very specific classy beauty she had when young. And Reese W. was never gorgeous but she had fun charisma and charm. Her dd is prettier than all three other ladies but again, zero charisma. There is a lot more to beauty than just features.

I think it’s fairly common for late bloomers to feel this way. Personally I looked best by far in my 30s. I didn’t outgrow the awkward teen stuff until around 24-25, and then I didn’t know how to dress or take care of myself really well until my late 20s.

I’m 42 now but my problem is starting to be the sagging/jowly skin (see the other thread) and there’s no good fix for that, unlike Botox and other wrinkle solutions.

Anonymous wrote:I still look great in my late 40s (especially compared to the majority of women in my age range) but it cannot be denied that in my teens and 20s my skin and hair just had that youthful tone and glow that you cannot get back for any amount of money. C'est la vie!

I agree, and as another poster said, this is most obvious when a middle aged woman stands next to her young 20s daughter. Look at Gwenyth Paltrow and Apple, or Reese Witherspoon and Ava. Gwenyth and Reese look great, but their daughters have youth, glowy skin, thicker hair, less sagging skin/eyes, etc.

I look better at 56 than I did at 36.

I was poor as a teen and in my 20s and couldn’t afford good bras so my body looked weird in photos. I didn’t know how to do my hair and I didn’t wear makeup. I look more put together now than I did back then for sure.

I still look great in my late 40s (especially compared to the majority of women in my age range) but it cannot be denied that in my teens and 20s my skin and hair just had that youthful tone and glow that you cannot get back for any amount of money. C'est la vie!

Well yeah. In my 20s I had no money, no idea how to style myself, drank a bunch and ate like garbage. I’ve lifted weights for 10 years, take care of myself, and can get hair, skin, nails, whatever professionally done now and wear nicer clothes. Of course most of us look better in our 40s, it is just patriarchal nonsense to tell women they peak as girls.

I was prettiest and thinnest at 35. But I am more fit, attractive and sexy at 60 than I was at 50. I am less stressed and take better care of myself now that we are empty nesters.

I look better now, and my husband says I have aged like a fine wine.

When I was young, I had a skin issue that needed to resolve after going to doctors, and I didn't have as much money for good haircuts, skincare, or nice clothes.

I now have skin that looks much better, and I can afford to dress in the style that suits me best. My body is more toned than when I was young as I didn't work out much then. I learned a lot how to dress from living in a major city and being around people who love fashion. I think I get complimented a lot more now.

I’ve seen celebrities who I think look better older than they did when younger.
My suspicion is that it’s because they have had more invasive work done that have just made their faces more attractive overall.

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think it’s true, sorry, unless you were really hideous when young. But I am glad you are enjoying your present looks!!

There’s some space between what you said and OP shared.

I remember my elderly father talking about how the good looking women at his HS reunion were not the same women who looked good in HS.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My almost 19 year old is my clone and looks exactly like me, and of course looks 100x better than me now, no doubts about that, OP.

This is the real test--compare yourself to the daughter (or niece or little cousin or whatever) that looks like a younger version of you.

Another person with teenage daughters, and I agree. I think people are discussing different things though - the presentation versus just face/body. So my face looked better in the olden days. The quality of my hair was better in the olden days. But I have more money and knowledge to dress better, use all the great hair products/tools. And many people in society respond to dressing, makeup, etc, and not just the beauty of youth. Though, they absolutely respond to that! It’s the basis of all these YouTube/Instagram reels on how to look hot.

Anonymous wrote:My almost 19 year old is my clone and looks exactly like me, and of course looks 100x better than me now, no doubts about that, OP.

This is the real test--compare yourself to the daughter (or niece or little cousin or whatever) that looks like a younger version of you.

My almost 19 year old is my clone and looks exactly like me, and of course looks 100x better than me now, no doubts about that, OP.