As we age, the key is to age gracefully. It can be tempting to try a younger or bolder look to halt time, but sometimes it can have the opposite effect.
Some styles work, and some just don’t.
Even makeup that looked amazing when we were in our twenties may not have the same effect past forty.
That doesn’t mean that we have to let go of everything and give up. Well, except for these forty things. These need to be given up:
#1 Dark lipstick
Here’s a loss worth crying over. Dark lipstick looks amazing when you’re young, and your lips are still plump and perfect. When you’re old, it actually highlights dry lips, thin lips, and other signs of aging.
#2 Too much jewelry
Having too much matching jewelry can weigh down a look and make it seem outdated. Keep it simple, and don’t go overboard.
#3 Teased up hair
A little volume can help to create a younger appearance. A lot of volume can leave you looking dated. No one has used that much hairspray since the 80s.
Does anyone else out there remember using half a can of Aqua Net hairspray?
#4 Pencil thin eyebrows
It can be tempting to tweeze eyebrows into near nonexistence. However, it’s a style from another era. Going that far with the tweezers will show exactly what decade you came from.
#5 Overly long skirts
As we get older, it makes sense for skirt length to increase. Just be careful not to go too far with it. While covering, a shapeless skirt that goes all the way to your toes won’t be flattering.
#6 Super long hair
Long hair is a sign of youth and vibrance, right? Not exactly. On older women, it weighs down their look and adds on extra years. Long hair is still okay, but make sure it isn’t growing lower than your rib cage.
#7 Jeggings
Jeggings seem like an easy shortcut to perfect-fitting jeans. However, they tend to highlight all the wrong lumps and bumps. Invest the time in finding a nice fitting pair of jeans instead.
#8 Fake tans
Fake tan, while not as damaging to the skin as the actual sun, still has its downsides. It rarely looks natural, and the tanner tends to highlight signs of aging, such as wrinkles.
#9 Mom style lipstick
Did you know that there’s a name for matching your lipstick color with the exact color of your clothes? Yep, you got it. It’s called mom style. Skip it.
#10 The same old haircut
Have you had the same hairstyle for five or more years? While it can be comfortable and it may work for you, it may also have gone out of style in that time. Check out more recent cuts to see what will work with your face.
#11 Polka dots
Small and subtle polka dots may still work but give up on anything bigger than a pinhead. They’ll make you look like you’re from another century.
#12 Large floral patterns
Large floral patterns, especially if they’re light colors, just scream the word “grandma.” Skip them and go with plain material or abstract patterns.
#13 Huge jewelry
Nothing screams “grandma” quite like massive costume jewelry. Put away those giant pearls now! It’s time to go simple, small, and classy.
#14 Powdered makeup
This stuff has a way of finding its way into every fine line and wrinkle. While it may cover some imperfections, it will highlight every single one that ages you. Go with a tinted moisturizer or light foundation instead.
#15 The jersey dress
While it’s a simple and easy part of any wardrobe, there’s a point when it should get tossed away. The low-quality material tends to bunch up and highlight all the wrong parts. This type of dress is flattering on just about no one.
#16 Showing bra straps
It looks bad enough on the young. As we get older, it just looks plain careless and messy.
#17 Overdone pastels
Pastels can be a nice addition to an outfit. However, don’t go all-pastel from head to toe. It may make it look like you’re trying to relive your schoolgirl days. Trying too hard is never a great look. Embrace what you have.
#18 Bright colors
Watch out for clothing colors that will leave you washed out next to them. Part of the perception of youthfulness is the vibrance of color found in the skin. There is no faster way to sap that than to put something fifty times brighter next to your face.
#19 Tweed
Do we even have to say it? This heavy fabric is unflattering and definitely defines the style of anyone wearing it as old or at least seriously antiquated.
#20 Too much blush
Only use a hint of blush to get a youthful glow. Any more than that, and you may end up looking sunburnt or like you’ve caked on the makeup.
#21 Going too trendy
Following a few trends can be good. It adds a little something modern to a look. Going solely with trends can backfire and make you look like you’re trying to relive teen years of desperately trying to fit in.
#22 The cardigan
Nothing says “time for retirement” quite like a cardigan. There is nothing flattering about these. They’re just a key indicator of old age.
#23 Skipping the belt
A loose-fitting dress with no discernable waistline will never be a good look. Add a belt to give it some definition. You still have a body! Don’t hide it entirely.
#24 Turtlenecks
Wanting to hide skin that wrinkles and sags on the neck is understandable. If you are going to do it with a turtleneck, choose very, very wisely. Any color that close to your face may overwhelm and wash out your natural skin tones, leaving you looking like a corpse.
That’s extreme aging.
#25 Old frames
Eyewear is important. If you wear glasses, they’re the first things people see. Go with something that came out in the past five years.
#26 Capris
They’re unflattering. They make your legs look shorter. Just don’t do it.
#27 Shoulder pads
Those should have been thrown away when the 80s ended. Go do it now.
#28 Shimmery and shiny makeup
While this can still be used sparingly to create a nice effect, be aware that it’s also prone to ending up in wrinkles. Who wants shiny wrinkles?
#29 Chunky highlights
These were once a favorite. It’s easy to go back to them. However, they haven’t been in style for a while and will show exactly which decade you spent time in.
#30 The brooch
This is an accessory that can only be found regularly while antiquing. If that doesn’t say how long ago they were in style, nothing will.
#31 Throwing out your jeans
As we age, we assume there are some items of clothing that no longer go in the wardrobe. Jeans are usually at the top of that list. However, they also come with a level of confidence that you might not want to just toss away.
#32 Wearing all black
This is the fastest way to look deathly pale while leaving no defining colors or patterns in an outfit. Mix it up a little bit and add something besides just black.
#33 Not sticking with a skincare regime
One of the most important aspects of skin care is being consistent. Once you find the right toner, moisturizer, and cleanser – stick with them. Your skin will thank you.
#34 The wrong foundation color
Do not go darker. Try not to go lighter. Most importantly, make sure your neck actually matches your face!
Too much powder? Is my foundation wrong? I just can’t find the right look. Grrr. So frustrated lately with my makeup. I’d stop wearing it completely if I didn’t have so much money invested. pic.twitter.com/oq1lFnusBG
— Kris (@KrisKhaos21) September 3, 2020
#35 The tracksuit
While this is something that makes sense to wear to the gym, don’t make it a part of your everyday wardrobe unless you’ll be pairing it with something else.
#36 Old lady purses
They’re practical. They’re nice-looking. They’re an easy trap. Go for something a little younger and more relaxed when picking out a purse.
#37 That tent dress
There is a fine line between hiding imperfections and wearing an outfit that’s an even bigger imperfection. Seek out clothing that has some shape to it while still hiding the parts you don’t want to emphasize.
#38 Long sleeves
Long sleeves in winter are practical and reasonable. In summer, it becomes obvious that you’re trying to hide something. Why sweat to death in the summer heat just to hide sagging everyone knows is there?
#39 Pantyhose
It used to be unthinkable to go outside without pantyhose if you were wearing a skirt or dress. Now, it’s the other way around. If you must wear them, stick with black, blue, or another color. Skip the tan ones.
#40 Dark eyeliner
This look can weigh down any face. Even worse, it can smudge, smear, and find its way into fine lines and wrinkles throughout the day.
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