Once we’ve reached an age when we’d like to look younger, whether or not we can actually look “young” depends on how long it has been since we actually were young. Still, most women can look their youngest by doing the following things:
1. Take good care of your complexion. If time permits use a facial mask. If there’s no time for that wash your face well with an exfoliating cleanser. Apply a moisturizer. Moisturizers aimed at reducing the appearance of fine lines are ideal, but any light moisturizer can help. Consider using an under-eye firming gel.
2. Re-think your approach to make-up. When skin has fine lines a lighter-weight foundation can be less likely to show up lines the way a heavier foundation can. There are “age-defying” foundations, and if one works for you by all means use it. Some women, however, may discover that these foundations are “putty-like” and can call attention to fine lines.
Use a lip plumper, and choose the lightest (but fashionable) shade of lipstick right for you. If a pale shade of lipstick just isn’t right for you use a lip-liner (being careful not over-run the edges of your lips), and fill in with the lightest shade that is right for you. Dark lipstick shades can call attention to thinner lips; and while the latest shade of red can look fashionable on a very young woman, the same shade can shout “old lady” once women have reached a certain age.
Depending on how many birthdays you’ve had, eyes can seem to fade some. It isn’t necessary to wear “full” eye make-up to the grocery store, but a little eye liner or mascara can make eyes stand out more. Don’t rule out the idea of adding a subtle shade of eye-shadow if it makes your eyes look more youthful. Believe it or not, a little shadow or smudged eye liner under the eye can camouflage some fine lines. Eye make-up, of course, is a very individual thing; and each woman needs to find an approach that is most attractive for her own eyes. Light powders are less likely to show up any creases/crinkles in the eyelids or around the eyes. Greasier make-up tends to settle into fine lines more.
If you wear concealer use a lightweight one.
Although cheeks are usually the last part of the face to develop fine lines (if they ever do), if you have fine lines in your cheeks consider a lightweight gel bronzer/blusher, rather than either a power or “greasy” texture.
Choose nail color that makes your hands look younger. As with make-up, what looks best on any one woman is an individual thing. In general, dark and/or heavy shades can add a “weighed down”, older, look to hands. Paler and/or translucent shades can make hands (and feet) look “lighter” and younger. Stay away from shades that are at all close to “baby pink”. That is generally an “older lady” color. Instead, choose pale “off-pinks”, light beiges, or “barely there” tones. At the same time, if it happens that your particular hands look great with dark maroon polish – go for it. In general, however, paler shades make hands look more youthful (although less glamorous).
3. Re-think your approach to hair and your hairstyle. Regardless of your age, healthy, looser, hair looks more youthful than either hair that doesn’t move or hair that “drags down” your face and makes you look older. When graying or gray hair becomes a factor, of course, the decision of whether or not to color it becomes a factor too. Whether or not you decide to color it may depend on how much gray your hair has in it, or how premature that gray hair may be. This is an individual decision, although gray hair (even when it’s healthy and swing-y) can add years to your appearance.
Color aside, a few bangs can camouflage forehead lines and make hair look softer. Boy-short hair can make even young looking women look older, but long hair can make any woman look older and more tired. Choosing a length that is right for you face but neither extremely short nor too long can be the best choice for most women. Having enough hair to allow it to be softer and looser, and either having a layered cut or adding soft waves can make for a more youthful appearance.
Don’t make the mistake of believing that because you’ve reached a certain birthday you have to change your “younger” hairstyle if it doesn’t happen to make you look older.
4. Re-think your approach to clothes, shoes, and accessories. There are clothes that only teenagers and women in their twenties wear, and there are clothes that only elderly women wear. Don’t wear either. Find clothing that is more “universal” among women – clothing (often classic, although not always) that might be worn by anyone ranging in age from the twenties on up.
As with hair, clothes that are feminine and swing-y can seem more youthful (perhaps because they seem more “lively” than heavier, more angular, clothes). “Feminine and swing-y” or “loose” doesn’t mean a “tent dress”, though. It means dresses that skim, longer/fuller skirts that sway, and simple tops that look elegant and “clean” (as opposed to “busy” tops that run the risk of looking either “too old” or “too young”). A close-fitting top that is stretched over a heavy-set fifty-eight-year old torso calls attention to a less than youthful figure. Even slender women over a certain age can have figures changes that show more under tight clothes. Again, when it comes to clothes, choose from items that are “universal” and, always, choose clothes that fit well and most enhance your appearance. One rule-of-thumb is to consider whether any outfit would look matronly if your face/head could not be seen. A truly “universal” outfit will not.
Don’t choose shoes based on your age. Choose shoes based on how attractive they make your feet and legs look. Stay away from wearing scarves wrapped tightly around your neck and tied in a big bow or knot. They may add color, but they also scream “middle age or older. Wear all the jewelry you want, but more delicate looking jewelry in gold and silver (with or without glistening gems) can add sparkling; while pearls and heavy beads can add to an “older” look. Large brooches are generally associated with elderly ladies, so consider smaller pins if our outfit calls for a little decoration.
We live in a time when saying the following may not be considered “politically correct”, but hide or camouflage body parts that call attention to your age and do what you can to enhance what you do show. Arms that look aged at the tops can look more youthful by not wearing sleeveless tops. Legs that have veins may look more attractive with a longer skirt and a slightly darker shade of stockings. Even without stocking, however, showing less leg with veins will make them less noticeable than showing more leg with veins will.
5. Re-think your breasts and the bra that you put them in. A bra that lifts and separates will create a more youthful appearance than one that pushes the breasts up and together, or one that doesn’t offer enough support. Being mature doesn’t mean resorting to wearing turtle-neck tops and gowns for the rest of your life, but fuller-figured women should consider whether showing cleavage may contribute to a more matronly look. Women with a smaller bra or cup size often need to re-think the degree of support a bra offers as well. Regardless of bra size, consider whether very low-cut tops show signs of aging that wouldn’t show with a slightly higher neckline.
Although every woman has a style and personality of her own, most will look more youthful when they aim for a simple-but-elegant, feminine, look. A simple, feminine, style is one that does not require being young; and the nice thing about this look is that is can make women of any age feel young and pretty.
