Do you look old?

**Marigold2** · 06-05-2010, 11:07 AM

With some lifestyles and jobs apperence matters more then others. If I am out working in my garden or just grocery shopping, my looks don't really matter as long as I am freshly showed when I go out, brush my teeth and do all the basics.
However my work is different I am expected to look good working for a plastic surgeron, it's part of the image. Same with the ladies at the makeup counter at Macy's or Dillards. If you work for a dentist you have nice teeth otherwise people will wonder about the work the dentist does.
When I worked in a staffing office I wore heels, hose and suits or dresses everyday. Office attire is how some people spend most of their waking time. If you are wear a suit most women will have their hair done and makeup and nails done as well. It's just part of the look.
So it is really all subjective on lifestyle and taste.
As for looking good, when I am dressed up I feel good, I look better with hair styled and makeup on.

Originally Posted by Cataholic

I never really grasped the whole "old" thing. I don't think I give it much thought. I don't color my hair, I have gray hair, I don't wear much makeup, I don't get all dolled up to go out, and wear what works for me.

I don't say, "oh, age is just a number", or try to be younger/older/different than what I am. I haven't really ever thought, "oh, my, she looks old" about any friends I might be fortuante enough to run into. It just isn't a factor or important to me.

I am glad of my age, my experiences, my functioning body, and that I can keep up with my near 6 year old. I just presume others are thinking along those lines, too.

**caseysmom** · 06-05-2010, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Cataholic

I never really grasped the whole "old" thing. I don't think I give it much thought. I don't color my hair, I have gray hair, I don't wear much makeup, I don't get all dolled up to go out, and wear what works for me.

I don't say, "oh, age is just a number", or try to be younger/older/different than what I am. I haven't really ever thought, "oh, my, she looks old" about any friends I might be fortuante enough to run into. It just isn't a factor or important to me.

I am glad of my age, my experiences, my functioning body, and that I can keep up with my near 6 year old. I just presume others are thinking along those lines, too.

This is why I admire you so much...you are not superficial. I hope when running into old friends they aren't summing up how old I look I sure wouldn't be doing that to them!

**Maya & Inka's mommy** · 06-05-2010, 11:24 AM

Just like my mom I've always looked much younger than I am!
But now it is getting a bit harder, because my hair is turning really white

I guess I won't be able to hide my real age much longer

**wombat2u2004** · 06-05-2010, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by caseysmom

This is why I admire you so much...you are not superficial. I hope when running into old friends they aren't summing up how old I look I sure wouldn't be doing that to them!

Hahahaha....you equate looking good to please others and yourself with being superficial ???
Uh uh !!! There is a big big difference.

**Cataholic** · 06-05-2010, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by caseysmom

This is why I admire you so much...you are not superficial. I hope when running into old friends they aren't summing up how old I look I sure wouldn't be doing that to them!

That was awfully nice of you. Thanks! The feeling is mutual.

Originally Posted by Marigold2

With some lifestyles and jobs apperence matters more then others. If I am out working in my garden or just grocery shopping, my looks don't really matter as long as I am freshly showed when I go out, brush my teeth and do all the basics.
However my work is different I am expected to look good working for a plastic surgeron, it's part of the image. Same with the ladies at the makeup counter at Macy's or Dillards. If you work for a dentist you have nice teeth otherwise people will wonder about the work the dentist does.
When I worked in a staffing office I wore heels, hose and suits or dresses everyday. Office attire is how some people spend most of their waking time. If you are wear a suit most women will have their hair done and makeup and nails done as well. It's just part of the look.
So it is really all subjective on lifestyle and taste.
As for looking good, when I am dressed up I feel good, I look better with hair styled and makeup on.

Truly, some of your concepts of how women should be/are are outdated. I have worked in a very professional environment for 12 years, and before that, I worked for an insurance company that had very strict guidelines on dress code. I can tell you- the times, they are a'changin'.

Women dress how they want to dress, and if they are in a professional enviroment, they dress how they deem appropriate. We are professional women, not droids or drones (sorry, Fett and Kimmy! I can't remember which are which).

I have not worn hose in 6 years, and I am NOT in the minority. Suits? Maybe sometimes, but more often than not I am not in one. "Styled" hair? Hah! I see as much pony-tailed, "natural" hair styles (and of course wear a wash and wear style myself (much to my hair guys chagrin) as I do that which might constitute 'styled'. Nails done? LOLOL. My feet, usually, just a 'thing' with me. Hands? Never. Too much money to waste on something that just doesn't work with house work, yard work, tending to animals, etc.

You are in a V.E.R.Y. superficial area of the working population. Us normal folks...well, looks are only 2% of a woman's personality. What is on the inside is just so much more important.

**Karen** · 06-05-2010, 12:51 PM

I have always had trouble guessing someone's age by his or her looks, and no one can ever guess mine if they don't know me. I know this because when I say something like "Oh, I've been married for 23 years" they say "What, were you ten????!!" and had a friend I met at a convention and was emailing me tell me I must be wrong when I emailed her on my birthday - she asked if I had made a typo. Yet when I was a college freshman, I had people somehow convinced that I was older than 18, I guess because I just wasn't ditsy. So it is much more the attitude, I have found, than anything that matters. Also, as a pale person, I never did go out an "tan" like many of my friends, so I don't have the sun damage they do. I think I look my age, but some people I know look older than our age. I guess my skin is just part of the blessing/curse of my English and Swedish heritage - made for cold and fog, but holds up pretty well! Great Aunt Bertha was far less wrinkly that others who were decades younger than her in the nursing home when she was 92!

**krazyaboutkatz** · 06-05-2010, 02:12 PM

I rarely get dressed up these days and I've always found that wearing jeans and tennis shoes was so much more comfortable than wearing dresses and high heals. I work in a dental lab where it's dirty and dusty and luckily I can wear jeans and tennis shoes to work.

I've never ever had a manicure or even a pedicure and I also don't see the point in spending money on this kind of thing. I do wear the basics in makeup like foundation, powder, and blush but that's all. I have very oily skin so I can't wear heavy makeup and my oily skin has also helped me to wrinkle less. I also avoid the sun and yes I'm very pale but I'd rather be this way than sun tanned and leathery. If my complexion was better I'd probably go without makeup at work. If I'm not going any where on the weekends I don't even bother with makeup. My cats still love me and they don't care how I look. I do prefer to be as natural looking as possible.

I've been blessed with natural curly hair so it's basically wash and wear. I do put some product in it to help with frizziness and once it's dry I'll just comb through it and then put a little shine anti frizz stuff on it and a some hairspray and I'm done for the day. I also color my hair at home myself. I've paid to have it done professionally before but it's been damaged before because it became very dry. It's very fine and thin so it's very easy to damage it. I do have quite a few white hairs now and once I get a lot more, I'll just stop coloring it and go all white. My great Aunt had beautiful white hair and I hope to look as good as she did.

**Prairie Purrs** · 06-05-2010, 02:40 PM

I looked young when I was young, and I look old now that I'm old. All is as it should be. I can't accept the premise that looking one's age is a bad thing once you're past 20 or so, nor do I believe that old faces lack beauty.

**carole** · 06-06-2010, 01:54 AM

You know what i don't think there is anything wrong with making the most of yourself, and i also see nothing wrong with being just yourself, it is entirely a personal thing, if you are comfortable either way that is what matters.

I like to wear make-up , some jewellery, have my hair coloured now and then and dress up a bit, i am more a jeans and jacket type of woman, but i like to add accessories like a scarf to dress myself up, i don't wear high heels, dresses, only own one skirt, but i find nothing wrong with seeing a dressed up woman who takes care of herself, that is her own decision and does not make her superficial either IMO.

As long as one is happy in their own skin, who am i to judge. Each to their own i say.

**lizbud** · 06-06-2010, 10:50 AM

Probably. I am old.

**Kirsten** · 06-06-2010, 11:04 AM

I know what you mean.

For years, I used to looked much younger than I was, but since I lost so much weight, I think my true age shows up clearly now. A while ago, I stopped smiling when pics of me are taken, because smiling shows my wrinkles... But I think that some of my former classmates look even older.

Kirsten

**Karen** · 06-06-2010, 11:56 AM

But Kirsten, smiling makes everyone look better - even if the wrinkles show, the friendliness outweighs them!

**Marigold2** · 06-06-2010, 12:17 PM

I have noticed in the past years a sort of mini trend.
Women who get divorced come in for some botox for several reasons. One they want to start dating and want a little younger look or two they are celebrating their freedom and are now finally doing something good for themselves. Another reason is empty nesters they want a little fresh up. The kids are out of the house and now they can do a bit for themselves men and women.
Men get the botox for job interviews and yes for dating. Just as people whiten their teeth. Women as well a bit of botox and you look rested and ready to tackle that new job.
If you still feel 30 on the inside no harm looking 30 something on the outside.

**pomtzu** · 06-06-2010, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by Marigold2

I have noticed in the past years a sort of mini trend.
Women who get divorced come in for some botox for several reasons. One they want to start dating and want a little younger look or two they are celebrating their freedom and are now finally doing something good for themselves. Another reason is empty nesters they want a little fresh up. The kids are out of the house and now they can do a bit for themselves men and women.
Men get the botox for job interviews and yes for dating. Just as people whiten their teeth. Women as well a bit of botox and you look rested and ready to tackle that new job.
If you still feel 30 on the inside no harm looking 30 something on the outside.

And of course you can take it to the extreme - like Joan Rivers.