Good skin helps. I have been told I have good skin most of my life and also that I look younger than my age, again most of my life… I have never worn makeup and have no special products that I use (just wash my face in the shower with regular soap). I have never been a person who gets a lot of sun (very fair and my skins burns easily).
A few years ago, when I was 57, a women who I worked with told me “you are 20 years younger than me what do you know” (it was not meant as a complement). She was probably in her early 60s. I was telling that story for months - she thought I was in my 40s - best insult I ever got!
Longer hair in women- seems so many get it cut short as they get older. I get a lot of comments about seeming younger and I wonder if having shoulder length curly hair has something to do with it. Also daily sunscreen. And I don’t need glasses yet.
My mom is 79 and has 90% natural dark brown hair. That probably throws some people off.
This. I have many friends in their 60s and up and the ones that only want to talk about their health, their spouse’s health, their latest bunion, their latest trip to the doctor, the health of their parents… are the ones that appear oldest. Must admit, for those of us who aren’t quite ready to only talk about our latest aches and pains, this one can be hard to be around.
Jane Fonda was once asked this question and her answer was “good genes and lots of money.” I agree, plus, I’ll add your nationality. My H is Asian and follows the Japanese diet to a certain extent. He is 66 and can easily pass for 45 or 50. Is always being asked for his ID to get senior discounts. Me, sometimes I feel like one of those “Apple Dolls” that was popular about 30 years ago.
For women, hair is very important. Not only a youthful style, but if it’s shiny and healthy looking, it appears younger. Coloring is not always effective, and a too dark or artificial color is very aging. Men have a tougher time - too much intervention in the hair department can backfire - obvious coloring, plugs, or a weave. A full head of hair does really help a man look younger, however. For both, a fit body and fashionable (but not trying to look too young) clothing really helps.
In terms of genetics, a heart-shaped or round face with high cheekbones stays youthful for much longer than a long, narrow face.
A husband 7 years older, retired and arranging for Social Security / medical insurance. I am not delighted when people ask if I’ll get my SS soon too … but some of them know that hubby and I actually graduated from the same college on the same day (he was on what we refer to as “the 11 year plan”), so I can’t blame them too much for the error.
Over the past few years, I’ve gotten in good better shape (started running, lost 20 pounds). I have more wrinkles and saggy flesh now. Not sure how much to blame on the weight loss vs just being 3 years older. But I am glad that I’ve stayed vigilant with the sunblock, especially on my face. My next priority is yoga or something to improve my posture - that’s been a problem since an early age, but my 88 year old mother is now horriby hunched over.
Too much makeup ages a person. But none is often aging, too (for me, at least).
Shoes. “Practical” or comfortable shoes are often frumpy looking. Fashionable or stylish shoes are often not practical or uncomfortable. Sneakers can be an exception, if you pay attention to the current colors. White was out for a while, but back in now.
Also, it seems that some people get stuck in a decade. If you’re still wearing your favorite clothes from 10-15+ years ago, still have the same hair style, that can really age a person.
I am 47 but my hair started turning white a long time ago, it runs in my family. After keeping it short for several years I have grown it to shoulder length now(it won’t really grow longer than that) but the fact that it is very fine and has several cowlicks makes it hard to achieve that look that some people have. I don’t have a lot of wrinkles but could stand to lose some weight. After being very skinny most of life when I had kids my metabolism apparently changed. I pretty much stopped wearing makeup after I had kids and only started wearing it again in the last 3-4 years. Not a lot, just to give a more put-together look.
Attitude makes a big difference, I have known plenty of much older people that seemed younger than they would look in a picture.
A lady at our church that passed away a few years ago at the age of 103 always seemed younger than she was. She always had good posture, a pleasant manner about her, and any time you saw her she was dressed nicely with hair and makeup done. If you went to her house it was always in good order and she was a great hostess. They even mentioned at her funeral that she said her husband never saw her without her hair and makeup done, hard to imagine.
@Gourmetmom -I have a long narrow face and am frequently told I look younger than my age!
The women in my running group are of different ethnicities, body types, hair styles, etc. but all of them seem younger than they are. One more reason to be active!
