This is intended to be a light and perhaps insightful thread. I realized on our daily walks in the neighborhood that people really do appear older or younger than they are. So, I started to think, what is it that makes them appear that way?
I’m hoping for some funny responses. Many of you are much more quippy than I am.
How muscular an adult is tends to be inversely correlated to how old s/he appears.
Sun exposure.
When sunbathing, think about how your face would look if you put it in the oven.
Older walks and talks slower.
Also interest in the world around them and current events make people seem younger. A bounce in their step, Spark in their eye, enthusiasm also makes folks seem younger and more energetic.
Conversely, folks who are apathetic, with poor muscle tone, frail, little interest in anything seem older to me and less interesting to be around.
I agree that how you walk plays into how young you can be perceived to look. Happy, strong attitudes lend to youth. Keeping up a youthful appearance-current hair cut, glasses, hair coloring.
Freckles! I used to hate mine but now people tend to think I’m a good 10 years younger than I really am. I also find that contrary to popular opinion, people tend to tell me I look even younger when I’m not wearing make up.
How easily can you get up/down off of the floor. Mobility is key, as is muscle tone.
And white knee socks pulled all of the way up with high-waisted shorts/suspenders and a golf shirt is a good way to look old as well.
@HImom i cannot agree with you more!!!
Small frame people tend to look younger too. But the attitude beats everything!
Lots of good opinions above, so I won’t repeat.
Fuller eyebrows
Knowing how to apply makeup
Current clothes and jewelry.
Kids. They can SEOG you either ways and both!
Good posture makes people seem younger. As others have mentioned fitness/muscle tone also make a big difference as does sun damage.
Spending time with younger people, too. Thinking of the parents I know who are really tuned in to what their kids care about seem younger than the ones who seem oblivious.
My husband started balding early so shaved off all his hair. At 30yo people thought he was older than he was. Now, still with no hair, bald head and shaven everyday, he appears younger than he is. Every other 45 yo is half-balding or starting to gray. He is also really in shape physically (no beer belly and runs and bikes).
I hate to say this, but letting yourself go gray instead of dying your hair does make you appear older. I have a few freinds who have done this, and I think they look older now. Also, dying your hair that ridiculous red tone (the color my aunts died their hair back in the 70s) or very black when you are over 65 makes you look older (it is just so unnatural).
I am one of those who let her gray hair grow out. I am 47. I found my first gray hair the day after college graduation; it’s apparently genetic, my great aunts both went white in their early 20s. I dyed my hair “medium reddish brown” for the next 25 years. Finally, three years ago I decided the upkeep was too much. I can honestly say this is the most confident I’ve been about my appearance ever. I have always had a young-looking face, and maybe the gray hair is a bit of a disconnect to some. But I like it.
I think sun exposure and smoking do a number on your skin, and that ages you.
@HImom I like the phrase “bounce in their step”. My mom is almost 80 but she has this bounce that’s hard to explain. She never takes “slow” steps. Everybody thinks she is much younger. When I visit with her I always feel she is still “young”. However I am shocked every time she sends me pictures where you can’t capture this and she looks much much older. She does not wear make up and I do not either. I noticed the same with my pictures too. I look a good 10 years older in pictures that what people perceive when they are around me. Shrug…
@Nhatrang I would argue that thin people tend to get more wrinkles with age. I have noticed that my fatter friends have retained fat in their faces, which smooths out the wrinkles. Smooth faces look younger.
I volunteer with a woman who just turned 80. She is my role model for how to be old. She is strikingly beautiful (okay, that’s genetic); dresses in classic, fashionable clothes; walks faster than some of the 20 year olds who also volunteer with us; never stops moving; and when the work is done, she hops into her Volvo and drives like a 40 year old with her perfect vision and youthful reflexes.
Youth, to me, is speed, grace, and energy. It is optimism and “let’s get this done,” rather than “this can’t be done.” It is “what’s this new thing and how do I learn it?” rather than “we’ve always done it this way.” You can see this attitude just by the way people move and how they talk.
I was a very good looking young woman, but I abused my skin with lots of sun, so now I look like one of those dolls you make out of apple cores. Since I can’t look younger than my 57 years when I’m still, I’m going for speed and energy now! Gonna keep moving until I can’t.
I agree! Smooth faces do look younger. I just mean overall petite people. But agree with you about thin vs. round
old- talk about their health all the time
young- talk about what adventures they are going to do next