My friend Leah started wearing eye cream.
We are the same age, 27, and all of a sudden she’s wearing eye cream and I’m the girl who’s always been a step behind. I tried to talk her out of it, knowing full well she’d keep on wearing eye cream and I’d keep on getting wrinkles. Her response was casual and matter of fact: We are getting older.
In my heart of hearts I know “old” is relative and that wrinkles are just a memoir to a life lived. I also know that getting older is a privilege not afforded to many. I get that. I really do. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a pang of jealousy when I see pictures of my 20 year old self. That girl had great skin.
Writing or talking about aging when you’re still 27 is, admittedly, annoying. And truthfully, exclamations of good grief I’m getting so old is one of my biggest pet peeves. The best beauty tip is also the best anti-aging advice: you are as beautiful, as young, as amazing as you feel. Even if our skin sags and our hairs gray, we can still have dance parties in our underwear and stay up until 2am just for the hell of it. It’s up to us.
When it comes to eye cream, I suspect it will be like when my friends started wearing skinny jeans and two years later I finally gave in. I can’t breathe, but whatever.
What are your secrets to feeling young?
***
A young Martha Stewart pictured above. Source unknown.
I started the eye cream thing this year (I’m 29.) I’d like to say that I was being proactive regarding aging and wrinkles but really, I’m a sucker for nice beauty products. I don’t really know the first thing about staying young aside from feeling young – sometimes I hardly believe that I am in fact, 29. Come to think of it, others don’t either. I was ID’d while out for dinner on holidays – the drinking age was 19.
Love being carded.
I went through the eye cream phase when I was 26. It didn’t take then but now that I am 31 maybe it’s time to try again. I’m a bit laissez faire about it all though-I wish it was because I was non-neurotic and sage about growing old but it’s mostly because I’m lucky to have good skin and a Mam and Granny who look awesome so my laziness wins out.
I just nodded at my computer screen. SAME.
Eek – I’ve been wearing eye cream since I was 19 when I was in beauty school and going to the tanning bed three times a week.
I really miss those tanning beds. Also the money I spend on eye cream.
I used to go tanning every single day in my early twenties. What was wrong with us? It’s so terrible, but also so amazing. Did you fall asleep? I would always fall asleep. It was especially wonderful in the winter.
Yes I ALWAYS fell asleep! It was glorious. It was so warm/relaxing, and that coupled with the fact that my acne was literally being zapped away is what made it so great.
Those tanning bed naps were the best 15 min. naps of my life…every day. What WAS wrong with us?
I color my hair – because I’ve had grays since I was in my early 20′s. And I use Bare Minerals concealer and face & eye brightener.
Although those may not be so much as aging products as mama-has-dark-circles-under-her-eyes and trying-to-draw-attention-away-from-my-femstache-to-my-eyes-since-i-dont-wax-regularly products.
I am more diligent about washing my face and using lotion then I was when I was younger.
Honestly, I really don’t have a problem with aging – at least right now at 32. It’s going to happen no matter how much crap I use. Easier to embrace then fight it!
Embracing it is so much easier!
I need to get on the Bare Minerals bandwagon.
I promised myself I would never be older woman who says to 25 year olds, “YOU MAKE ME FEEL SO OOOOLD.” Because how do you respond to that? I’m sorry? But as I get older and the wrinkle between my eyebrows gets deeper, I get it. Most days I could care less. I like getting older. It is only when I see age being so hard for the very elderly that I get nervous about that part. But I am only 29 myself so I feel like I am still in the young realm, maybe that is why.
Yes! I don’t want to be annoying. I worry about my 30th birthday. Please don’t let me be the girl crying about it in the corner. It’s a celebration. I hope I think: 30 years being awesome. Cheers!
Writing or talking about aging when you are 27 is annoying! (smiling)
they are ‘laugh lines’ my friend, laugh lines.
And here is the best ‘to feel young’ advice: Keep having children right up to menopause. (wish I could have more)
I forget how old I am! (and everyone who doesn’t know me, assumes I am younger too)
Oh, and maintain a healthy weight and even pack on some extra as time goes by, it keeps your skin looking younger, particularly your hands (which are the first part to look ghastly) Botox in my hands would probably be my first area of choice…
Ok, I’ll stop now and stop chuckling too.
(sorry I read your blog today…:)
Oops, not sorry that I read what you wrote. Try again.
Sorry, I read it today! :) Am I making sense?…
Hands are the worst! But I think hand beauty is mostly genetic. I know 50 year olds with great hands. Mine have always been stubby and old looking!
That picture is crazy. She looked so familiar, but I could not figure out who it was. I think she looks like a young Barbara Streisand.
I am the youngest child in my family and I’m marrying a youngest child, so that helps a lot with feeling young. We’re also both the youngest cousins in our large extended families (except for on one side for me) and I’d have to say being friends with people a bit older definitely keeps me feeling young. (“I remember when you were born! I can’t believe you’re getting married!”) Plus I’m the youngest in my office so I get lots of youthful comments. I love it. But I am only 25. So I feel like my thoughts on this may be moot. Working out and staying in shape keeps me feeling young too.
I think staying in shape is key (must work on this). And yes! I’m the oldest cousin, oldest child, etc. I think being on the opposite end would help.
I started getting greys in 6th grade. I was convinced it was from my grandma’s shampoo I used at her house once, but that theory wore off after I got too old to stay over at grandmas and the greys kept coming. It was a horrifying thing to brace as a middle schooler.
I used to dye my hair to cover em up, but I love the salt and pepper look too much to keep killing my hair. Sometimes it’s even complemented, which I’m cool with.
Salt and pepper can be sexy. Definitely.
Omg I can’t believe that is Martha Stewart!! What a mod babe she was!
Omg I can’t believe that is Martha Stewart!! What a mod babe she was!
Right? I love it.
I was just thinking about this the other night. I turned 29 on December 29th, and I recently noticed wrinkles around my eyes in a family photo we had taken. Then I saw an ad for Olay Regenerist (which I’m pretty sure my mom uses)and was thinking maybe I should invest in some. Buying it feels like I’m conceding that I’m getting older, though, and I’m not sure if I’m ready for that.
29! The year of living! (Or so I’ve heard?) You’re right. Just BUYING eye cream makes me feel older. So maybe I should put it off? Ignore the wrinkles? I’m great at ignoring things.
I drink caffeine, don’t exercise, and watch a lot of tv…all of which lead me to be more carefree and worry less. So ultimately, I do think it helps.
I also don’t wear eye cream, don’t wash my face every day, and often forget to take my makeup off before bedtime.
We are the same.
I have eye stuff {I’m 26}, but I don’t like to use it because somehow a little bit always ends up in my eyes, which make them itchy and red, and that doesn’t help me look young at ALL.
I feel young when I think about the fact that I’m 26 and I have three kids. I feel young when I answer the door to my house and people ask me if my parents are home. {Usually I end up saying something super awkward like, “Um… no?” or “I’m my parents.”}
Really, though, I think for me it’s more about being happy. If I’m happy, I don’t care how young I am, I’m just happy. It’s when I’m feeling down that I start wondering where the years went.
“I’m my parents.” hahaha
And that least part. You are exactly right.
My mom never used a product on her face (maybe some eyeliner) and she has wonderful beautiful skin as a 63 year old. Every time I see her I notice her skin and how healthy and glowing it looks. (Better than my skin!) Her trick is diet, it’s all about a good healthy diet. Creams and makeup may help, but I think it is what you put into your body that works the “young” wonders.
I’m sure you’re right. I need to remember this.
My kid makes me feel young, but he also makes me feel old at times. But overall he makes me feel young because I am reliving childhood and it is awesome. To be honest, I often forget my age and have to really think about it to remember how old I am. 26, soon to be 27.
Use Retinoid Cream, .05% on face at night. Need a prescription and can’t use while pregnant.
i do the eye cream thing here and there…but not really consistently (and i’m 29…crap). but i recently started washing my face with only coconut oil (the organic/unrefined kind) and it’s kind of amazing. i basically want to tell everyone to do it. and i’ve heard it has anti-aging/ anti-wrinkle benefits…plus it makes my face smell amazing. i also think exercise and just how active you are in general really helps with aging.. also i can’t believe that’s martha stewart!
I just ordering some coconut oil after hearing so many good things about it – can’t wait to try it! I adore the smell of coconut products, so I’m hoping the oil is just as delicious :)
Not too worried about getting old… yet. It’ll probably hit when I turn 30.
A few weeks away from 30 myself, I stay young by trying new things…new recipes, new restaurants (especially crazy obscure ethnic ones), new parks, new bike routes…when trying something new, youth overtakes you…you aren’t in control, aren’t in the know; you get to be curious again.
I can’t believe that’s Martha!
I don’t do anything to not look older – I’m in a good stage right now where I like it. I’m 37 (I think – I lost track after I turned 30 and I can’t be bothered to do the math all the time). I think I’m beautiful, I’m happy, and that translates as youth most of the time.