What Is A Woman Over 50 Supposed To Look Like?

Having reached this supposed golden era I’m becoming confused by the messages and images I find myself gravitating towards. Unconsciously I have become programmed to be drawn to any article or product that has “50” or “Fifty” on it. I find myself scouring the page, reading the product description seeking out any new nugget of wisdom my age might now unlock to me.

Has marketing really done such a brilliant job that it is impossible not to be influenced by the communications and product placement? Are the bots in cyberspace listening in, pinging me every article and ad ever created for my decade?

This week I read a tweet from Karen Brady who was waxing lyrical about the magic of Ultherapy and I thought “Oh no! Why is a serious businesswoman taking to social media to talk about how her face looks much better after using Ultherapy, not business or politics? Trinny (of Trinny and Susannah) was in the spotlight for her puffed up youthful face and twenty years plus of botox; even Chris Evans was talking about varicose vein removal and I suddenly started to feel rather wrinkly, saggy and veiny!

I’m excited and eager as well as very grateful to be immersed in the enchantment of life from 50 onwards. But is it also age that triggers the inner critic to suddenly have a party in our brain cells with regard to the appearance of our skin? Has this insecurity been created by my own curiosity or from the seemingly impossible to ignore external societal noise? Does every woman in her 50’s suddenly find herself in this uncertain new territory? I feel like an eager tourist, just landed in a whole new world waiting to be explored but instead of maps, city guides or trip advisor reviews, I have a plethora of ‘stuff’ from life coaches, bloggers and beauty brands. 

With skin care brands finally starting to embrace the fact that anti-aging, age-defying and telling us to look younger isn’t really acceptable, their new taglines and the promise of radiance, uplifting, perfecting is a very tempting offer.

We as women have decorated and embellished our faces and bodies for centuries which I applaud and support, so why my discord with the comments this week?

Perhaps I actually harbour a secret desire to buy into every anti-ageing treatment and product. After all, the difference between a collagen boost for the skin to look younger and colouring hair to conceal grey is potentially only about the amount of disposable income a woman is prepared to spend.

Defying the ageing process could actually be the new status symbol of our times. 

If you escaped being judged by your looks in your teens and twenties then you were one of the lucky ones. If you didn’t, then our fifties are the comparison years. Where we are questioning positively, learning and growing in our new decade. I want to know if the questioning fades and the real who gives a ‘****’ anyway confidence kick in at sixty?

So what is a woman over 50 supposed to look like?

Herself.

In whatever way she chooses. A woman who loves and respects herself will always radiate beauty. 

Stylish Wishes!

K