Have you changed your look?

[simpsongal]

Particularly as you've aged and your face/body has changed?

I've pretty much worn my hair and makeup the same way for like 20 years...until covid when I stopped all that for a while.  Now I'm starting to notice myself looking older in photos.  I don't mind aging gracefully, though I do wonder if I would "enjoy it" more if I changed my look (rather than just looking like an older, more tired version of my younger self).    

Any tips or things you've found helpful?

[laterz]

Once I am fully vaxxed, I need to go do some makeup counter shopping - I likely need some new stuff now that I'm going to be pushing 50 in a few years. I have curly hair and finally went and got a curl-specific cut a couple years ago and really know how to style my hair better now. Its also a bit shorter, which I think looks better for me.

I am also embracing athleisure. The thought of wearing business casual or heels or any of that crap again makes me want to cry. I have a standard set of jewelry I wear - i don't have the inclination to switch out stuff like I used to.

[Roc A Bee]

I feel like hair can really date people. When people were youthful in the 80s and then wear that hair for 40 years, it makes them look older.

I don’t think I’ve changed anything drastically, but I try to change up my hair and am always trying new makeup and hair products.

[macmars45]

Yes. Various versions of the same haircut (and I've never colored it), versions of very similar glasses and my 'style' has always been a jean/shorts & t-shirt. All of this since I was 18 and I'm 35 now. I think I've chopped my hair short (to my chin) 3 times in that time span. Otherwise I stop at shoulder length.

#nothelpful

[Deleted]

I will be 48 in a few months and about two years ago I ditched my light blonde highlights/lowlights and decided to stay closer to my natural color, which is dark blonde/almost brown. I can't believe how much it changed my look and made me look younger. I'm fair skin and it was really washing me out.

[redheadk]

Sort of. I did cut my hair shorter (it's still around my shoulders so it's not short) and I make more of an effort to style it regularly. I feel like I look very run down if I don't.

[eb777888]

This biggest things I've done is step up my skin care and wear less make-up. Especially eye make-up, but really all make-up. I agree with updating hair as well.

[mrsukyankee]

Pretty much every few years. But I love experimenting with hair. Makeup with age has changed. Clothing, yes, also with age but also I've never gone for specific looks that are fashionable at the moment.

[lilac05]

No. I got “least changed” at my HS reunion.

I think part of it is that I don’t really have a “look.” I’m not at all trendy with my hair, clothes, or makeup. I briefly considered coloring my hair, but decided I didn’t want the extra expense/upkeep. Plus, I’m starting to get more gray in single strands, and I know for sure I don’t ever want to go through the drastic change of going dark to gray.

Several times, I’ve gone into hair stylists and given them free reign to do any cut they’d like. I basically end up with the same thing. Hair past my shoulders, long layers, a few long side bangs. So, either it’s a good look for me, or the stylists have not been great.

I’m not opposed to changing it up, I just don’t even know where to begin.

[penelope]

I cut my hair into a pixie last summer and it made me feel soooo much older. I'm growing it out now and have found a middle ground that I like and feels and looks young and stylish. I also stopped bleaching, base color is closer to my natural with minimal highlights just for dimension.

In the last year I have really upped my exercise routine and I think that makes me feel younger more than anything. Having a strong core makes my posture better and I don't look so sluggish.

I also went for a professional facial and started using a low retinol product which has helped my skin texture so much. Wrinkles...Lol...probably not (those damn 11's are the worst), but the bumpiness is much better and I 'think' that helps. I also cut back on wearing so much makeup, it all just rubs off on a mask anyway, and I think that at the end of the day not having makeup settle into those wrinkles helps.

Maybe that's all in my head and wishful thinking, I don't know.

[simpsongal]

Apr 8, 2021 13:45:52 GMT -5 eb777888 said:

This biggest things I've done is step up my skin care and wear less make-up. Especially eye make-up, but really all make-up. I agree with updating hair as well.

Part of my post was motivated by pics at Easter where I put on eye liner and some eye makeup - it did not look good.   

[tacokick]

I’ve mentioned this before but I’ve switched to a “uniform” of all dresses. It makes getting dressed easier. I don’t have to worry about coordinating separates or finding pants that fit and are flattering. I always look appropriate to the venue or event (if sometimes a little dressy but I have plenty of plainer, every day dresses) and dresses are more flattering to my body type than separates. I always had a hard time finding pants and shirts that fit no matter how old I was or what size I wore. I made a lot of my own dressier clothes as a child/teen but casual wear was always a struggle.

In the winter I just add tights (or leggings) and wear boots. I’m not hiking the tundra and it’s fine.

I also get a ton of compliments since I switched to all dresses. People come up to me in public all the time!

My hair isn’t much different but I never had a trendy cut when I was younger either. I’ve always varied my make up looks and tried new products so that keeps it fresh.

I think keeping the trendy hair styles of your younger years is super aging. It would be like the ladies who had ‘60s bouffants/flips or the aging Woodstock attendees with the long hair and tie dye I’d see in the ‘80s when I was a kid. It really locked them into a certain era and they were probably in their early to mid 40s. I should not be seeing “the Rachel” any more but I do!

ETA an aside: This might be unpopular but I think continuing to dye your hair blonde/very light colors can be really aging too. It normally doesn’t look natural with your skin coloring and you can pull that off at fresh faced and 20 but at 40+ it can start to make you look sallow and accentuate aging skin issues. Darkening up to closer to your natural shade looks a lot better and youthful IMO. My mom and MIL dyed their hair to what it was when they were a kid and it was very aging!

[starburst604]

I'm 45 and I've almost always worn my hair past-the-shoulders long and that is how I still prefer it, but I do think that I've updated how I style it over the years like changing the type of curls and waves I make with styling tools, how I part it and so forth. I keep up with my blonde highlights too, more often now with grays coming in. I get a lot of compliments (even from young people) so I'll guess my hair still looks decent.

I've definitely taken anti-aging measures like Botox and a bit of filler, mostly because it's available to me at work at a deep discount. I've finally recently delved into the world of serums and retinols for better skin care. I have no major concerns about it but want to take care of it the best I can now. Also makeup has changed for me, too much makes anyone look older IMO and that's not what I'm looking for at this age lol!

[twilightmv]

I've had a glow up since my second child was born. I've put a lot more effort into my wardrobe. I try to have a mix of classic clothes but also stay on trend.  Pre-covid, I'd go to Sephora once a year and have them do my makeup with an everyday look.  I'd change or update my products if I thought something worked better than what I was doing before. Like I definitely used to do that dark all-around eyeliner when I wanted to look hot, but that's too much on most people my age, so I switched to lighter-colored, powdered liner.  I changed my hair and I learned how to blow dry it well so it looks polished. I get botox (which I LOVE) once a quarter and I got just a little bit of juvaderm in my lips so they look more like my lips in my twenties (not big at all, just replaced some fullness).   I'm not trying to look twenty. I want to look like a well-put together grown woman. 

[pinkdutchtulips]

I got glasses last summer at 46 .... my normal makeup routine had to be switched up. I threw up the SOS for eye make up tips for girls w/ glasses from friends and they pulled through (we're all in our 40's). I used to NEVER wear eyeliner under my lower lashes - top yes lower no - and eyeshadow on the regular (lighter inner, medium outer) .... now I do shadow/mascara (upper only)/liner (lower only) on the regular bc my eyes would disappear without it. 

I've adopted a  'uniform' of pants, tanks, cardigans, pencil skirts and sheath dresses to make getting dressed easier - a switch in shoes can take me from work day to weekend. 

My hair hasn't changed other than the fact it now grows in wavy not straight ?!? which is fine with me bc I can just wash and go and it looks great. 

[Patsy Baloney]

I’ve started wearing less makeup. I feel like it just settles in around my eyes. I also grew out my hair, but that was because I started wearing it curly and felt it was easier to manage that way. I think it makes me look a lot younger, too. I had a short cut for a long tome that just wasn’t as flattering as it could have been.

I’d say generally my look has gotten more relaxed. I always think I look great, because I’m my own biggest fan, but I’m not trying to convince anyone else anymore.

I do still love to dabble in more glamorous looks, but day-to-day, my look is a little easier.

I do have a uniform wardrobe - usually a swing dress with sandals or flats, winter is with a cardigan, leggings and boots. I’ve also got some blouses and pants I wear, but dresses are my go-to for ease.

[pinkdutchtulips]

Apr 8, 2021 13:52:08 GMT -5 @heyitsme said:

My goal if you want to call it that is just to look 5 years younger then I am. I don't expect to look 30 at 48. If someone says I look in my early 40's I consider that a win. I think that level sets it my head a little bit as well.

this ! people make comments to J about how attractive his younger girlfriend is ... jokes on them bc ive got 3 years on him  

[TR]

I have varied my look over the years, mostly by changing my hair. This last year I completely stopped wearing makeup and have focused on skincare more, I got rid of a bunch of age/sun spots on my face using Musely. It was honestly a miracle lol. I put on eye makeup for something and really didn't like how it looked anymore.

I also gave in to my fine, straight hair and have been wearing it shorter (between chin and shoulder length) because it looks scraggly when I try and grow it out. I want long, full, bouncy curls, but it just isn't going to happen so I've gone sleek and short. I also stopped using a base color and just get highlights now to blend my grays and I like it so much more. It allows me to keep my hair cooler-toned so it doesn't get so brassy.

All in all, I really like how I look now. I workout the most I ever have and I think my body would be totally banging if I lost 5-10 lbs, but I like food too much :::shrug:::

[simpsongal]

Interesting there are some similarities in responses re: simplifying your look and wearing less makeup - I'm all for those things!

[TR]

Apr 8, 2021 14:04:51 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Interesting there are some similarities in responses re: simplifying your look and wearing less makeup - I'm all for those things!

I think it stems from women becoming much more comfortable and confident in their own skin as they age. I know I feel much less concerned about what other people think now. I don't think it's a universal truth, but anecdotally and from these boards, I feel like a lot of women really come into their own in their mid-late 30s.

[gummybear]

I’ve never really had a look. I’ve changed my hair numerous times (color a d cut) but that’s about it. I’ve never worn a ton of makeup, but I’ve changed products based on my skin’s needs. I still (like always) have a very natural look.

I’ve never been a fashionista but at this current stage in my life I have a high quality wardrobe of athleisure, which is my style of choice bc I’ve been SAHM.

But overall look pretty much the same, just a little more haggard with better clothes.

[wildrice]

Not drastically, but I think I've kept up with my age. My hair has always alternated between being just past my chin and just below my shoulders. I have curly hair and a full face, so I've never really had a lot of options for super trendy cuts. I do tend to keep my hair a little shorter as I've gotten closer to 40, but that's more because I like the way it curls when it's shorter than any attempt to be age appropriate.

I'm backwards of many people because I stopped dying my hair as I got older. Changing its color was the main way I changed my appearance in my 20s and early 30s, but I got tired of spending money on it and went back to my natural color. I actually don't mind my natural color (surprise!) and while I do have white hairs, they are not patchy yet so I am hoping to just keep my natural color long term. I don't want really want to be fully grey by 45, so we'll see how the next several years go, but I hope that I can just let it grey slowly as I age.

Makeup has always been fairly minimal for me, so other than finding a new eyeshadow shade or something basic like that, I haven't changed much. I do fill in my eyebrows in the last few years but just with a basic powder, I don't draw them on or do anything to style them (beyond tweezer cleanup).

I guess clothing is the only other thing and IDK if I've really changed all that much in a while. I've always liked dresses and skirts but go through phases where I'm ok with pants (I think I'm in one of them now). I tend to wear everything with a cardigan or denim jacket, unless it's crazy hot out. I am in this weird place now where I am more likely to wear things that are comfortable but not necessarily flattering (like shorts... I have always hated how I look in shorts but sometimes they are functional!) but also struggle to do anything stylish with my body because a lot of the things I find pleasing to look at on others aren't flattering on me, and a lot of things that are flattering on me are kind of boring. I definitely don't think I dress too young or trendy but I do find this age a weird one to dress because I'm too old for a lot of stuff but too young for others. I'm trending a lot more toward basic t shirts or work tops and jeans or a plain skirt.

[gummybear]

Apr 8, 2021 14:06:09 GMT -5 TR said:

Apr 8, 2021 14:04:51 GMT -5 simpsongal said:

Interesting there are some similarities in responses re: simplifying your look and wearing less makeup - I'm all for those things!

I think it stems from women becoming much more comfortable and confident in their own skin as they age. I know I feel much less concerned about what other people think now. I don't think it's a universal truth, but anecdotally and from these boards, I feel like a lot of women really come into their own in their mid-late 30s.

This is definitely true for me. I’d say around 38 I just stopped caring. I wear a bikini now whereas I was too self-conscious in my teens, 20s and early 30s. I go out without makeup. I buy things (clothes/shoes/purses) that are functional and comfortable.

I also think having daughters has made me this way. I am always preaching body positivity and I need to walk the walk.

[starburst604]

Apr 8, 2021 14:13:24 GMT -5 gummybear said:

Apr 8, 2021 14:06:09 GMT -5 TR said:

I think it stems from women becoming much more comfortable and confident in their own skin as they age. I know I feel much less concerned about what other people think now. I don't think it's a universal truth, but anecdotally and from these boards, I feel like a lot of women really come into their own in their mid-late 30s.

This is definitely true for me. I’d say around 38 I just stopped caring. I wear a bikini now whereas I was too self-conscious in my teens, 20s and early 30s. I go out without makeup. I buy things (clothes/shoes/purses) that are functional and comfortable.

I also think having daughters has made me this way. I am always preaching body positivity and I need to walk the walk.

Same with the swimwear stuff. I shied away from 2 pieces and really swimwear in general after having DD. I tried wearing the skirt thing and that made me feel even worse. Finally I said fuck it, I'll buy cute suits that fit me well and get out there - no more of not wanting to walk from our beach spot to bring DD to the ocean because I feel self-conscious, or not horsing around in the pool with her because I don't like how I look. I want her to remember us having fun around the water together, not me hiding out with a coverup on the whole time. 

[wambam]

I don’t wear makeup but yeah, I used to dress more feminine and I had very long, straight hair. Now I’m a bisexual cliche lol.

[mags]

I've always been low maintenance. Little to no make-up, casual dress, no heels, long straight hair no real style unless you call a ponytail a style.

I am now mid 50's, my hair is shoulder length with no real style and still in a pony most of the time. I did go from my natural reddish brown to light brown/blond due to grayness!

My wardrobe has become even more casual since I am retired now with just a part time job. I wear scrubs now to work so...not really is my answer

[lightbulbsun]

I shaved my head last summer, which was fun. My style of clothes is pretty random, depending on how I feel on a particular day. Some days I'll wear a sundress and heels, other days I'm in a men's flannel and chucks, and when I'm feeling feisty I'll where my doc martins (sometimes with a sundress and sometimes with the flannel, haha). I've always been interested in androgynous style, but I've been experimenting a lot more since I cut my hair.

[picksthemusic]

I signed up for Stitch Fix, and I anticipate my first box next week. I'm cleaning out my closet next week and I'm looking forward to getting rid of old clothes that don't do anything for my current shape.

I let my grey hair grow out, now I'm full salt and pepper, and really like it.

I purchased some new skin care things to aid my skin as it ages, mostly Cerave products like Vitamin C serum, retinol cream, eye cream, and a good sunscreen. I've also started to make sure to wash my face at night and moisturize the hell out of my face.

I got some new makeup and have been watching tutorials on TikTok and YouTube to help me apply it better because sometimes I feel like I still apply it like I did in high school, haha. I have never cared for wearing makeup, but I have to admit that I do look better with it on. I can only wear it when I'm not working, though, since I have to wear a mask all day at work and there is zero point to me wearing it.

That's about as far as I've gotten in changing my self-care and 'looks'.

[wanderingback]

Over the years I wear more fun jewelry and accessories. Covid has put a little damper on that with masking and being hot and sweaty. But I still like my colorful earrings.

Also, piercings. I got my nose pierced and recently got an ear helix piercing. I think I want some other ear piercings. My nose piercing is a large study, I’ve been thinking about changing it to a ring.

Lastly, I got contacts when I was 10 years old. I exclusively wore contacts up until the past 5 or so years. Now my glasses are another accessory that I like to have fun with. I have 4 pairs I rotate through as well as my contacts.

My physical look, I’ve let my afro grow out, but it’s getting thinner now that I have alopecia, but still have a lot of hair. I might do a different cut at some point to change things up.

[Susie]

I cut off my hair when my oldest was an infant.  Combination of postpartum hair loss being annoying with long hair, and her pulling on it.  It's been 5 years now, and it's still a pixie.  I don't anticipate backtracking on that move.

I have changed my work style too, to more menswear inspired.  I used to wear trousers and pumps; now I'm more likely to wear skinny pants and oxfords.  Part of that is motherhood, and walking around downtown to do the daycare circuit wasn't working in pumps.  Part though is that I sort of feel like I've professionally arrived to where I am and am not really striving/climbing so much day to day anymore, which gives me more latitude to not be in the specific box of what a female attorney is supposed to look like, in pearls and a skirt suit and so forth.