Do you think you've become more or less critical of your appearance as you've got older?

I can't say I'm thrilled by the way things have developed as I get older, but just try to work with what I've got and rather than feel more critical nowadays, feel a bit sad about the poor old saggy bits and random whiskers.

I veer from one substandard feature to another. I'm satisfied with my skin on the whole, but now convinced I have "witchy chin".

And my jowls are definitely getting more obvious. And my eyes are piggier.

Apart from that, I'm perfect mustn't forget the gunt, though.

I think I have got less critical but more careful to look smart, groomed and tidy. I also appreciate how gorgeous younger people are. I appreciate when I look at younger photos of myself, that I was attractive more than I thought - I had no confidence then.
So I think we sould all try to be confident, happy with what we are and also not take any notice of the 'older women' comments.

A downside - I have had cataract ops in both eyes in the last year - I could hardly read or see - it has been a shock seeing how bad my wrinkles are. WITH cataracts, I thought my skin was good ha ha.Wonderful to see and read again but not to see reality maybe!

The older I become the more critical I am.

As long as my hair looks good and I'm wearing something 'floaty' I feel fine

Minder you sound a very positive lady and my thoughts are with you for tomorrow and for the future. It sounds as is the last few years were very much taken up with caring for your DH. You may find it hard to be able to put yourself first after all this time and I wish you well

Sincere sympathy Minder on your loss, but I am sure you lost your H years ago.
Best wishes for your future which I hope you will enjoy the very best way you can.

MinderHope you get through today alright and have some family to support you.

Much less concerned since I finally realised most people aren't looking and don't care. Family and friends are ok as long as I'm clean and tidy. I happened to say yesterday I'd like to have been a Goth. Was promptly told by someone 50 years younger than me that I should be! I believe Doc Martens are very comfy and I do like lace ...

As I've got older I have gained more and more in confidence, to the point now that I know that how I am at this stage which is as good as it will get So I simply no longer worry about my appearance. Saying that I love clothes and getting dressed up but it no longer bothers me what people think or if I think I'm too fat, wrinkled or just old. Life is beginning to get very short now so have it to live!!!!!!!!!

I think I'm just as critical but in a different way because I'm older now. I'm 64 in a couple of weeks. I look in the mirror longer when I try clothes on in shops, check for things like can you see the rolls of fat and definitely look at myself from the back because I see people in town and I think, she clearly didn't look at her back view in the mirror before she left the house. Yes, that is bi**hy I know. I'm very lucky, my hair is thick and people tell me I don't look my age, (thanks to my Dad's side of the family) I wear a little eye liner and mascara every day. It's my husband's funeral tomorrow - I'm fine honestly, it was a release for him and we're going to celebrate his life until he was 50 when Alzheimer's got him and stayed with him for 16 years - and I've bought new clothes, shoes and handbag. It was a case of having to because I discovered when trying my clothes on, nothing fitted me anymore but I WILL lose the 3 stones I need to - she says confidently - and then I will feel comfortable. I need to lose weight so my knees don't hurt so much and I can walk upstairs without puffing.

I'm more critical about everything to do with me now. Have lost a lot of confidence since I stopped work, missing the positive feedback. Never been one for makeup but was usually happy with my overall look, comfortable in my clothes. Now I rarely feel comfortable, getting cross with myself isn't helping but it's where I am most of the time. Would like the old 'me' back. She's here somewhere.

I think I'm not as bothered now as, over the years, I've learned what works and what doesn't. I'm another one who thinks I have to make a bit of an effort or the next stage will be not shaving my legs or washing my hair and it's all downhill from there!

Comfortable in my own skin,have never been a beauty but always attractive,good sense of humour,and always worked personality over looks,have had many losses in Life,which may or may not show on my face and figure though actually love my silver hair, my partner 20 years my junior of 14 years loves my curves, my GD who I have brought up since age of 4 approves of my style, my son loves me and keeps in touch as does my ex husband and my brother and family....happy in my own skin YES

I thought I looked great when I was 60, never worried about ageing even then.
Now I am 70, I can definitely see the signs of ageing.

Lines on face, wrinkly arms and legs, just recently noticed those.

I'm also looking a bit gaunt nowadays and although I'm slim, the tummy fat has accumulated around my middle.

I do sometimes pop out without makeup, depends where I'm going but I must say I look a lot better with than without it.

We can't bring it back we have to accept what we have become. If you think about when I look at photos of my mum when I was young she looked older when she was younger, if that makes sense. But grand mums now dress so much better, think it's because they is so much choice about even if you can't afford to splash the cash and there is Primarks

Jings I wear sneakers with maxi dresses all the time. I think it depends on the dress.

I'm not particularly worried about how I look at home but if I'm going out I do smarten up a bit but still tend to wear jeans & nice blouses/jumpers & smart jacket. I do miss my high heels as I can no longer wear them - trainers or comfortable smart shoes due to health problems. Hair is quite long so it's ponytail at home & coiled with a nice clip if I'm going out. Make-up when I go out even just shopping - but usually only lipstick & mascara (thinking about having eye lashes tinted). Nail varnish is a must for me - my nails grow well & it's my vanity. My main problem at the moment is my teeth - first lost tooth at top front, several bottom teeth have crumbled away - waiting for Hospital Appointment to have them extracted & new dentures fitted - they will be a real boost for my confidence

I too have gone from a very slim teenager, long legs, all in proportion shape - now overweight but still not too concerned as I'm happy (apart from teeth)

You wouldn't see me outside the front door without my contact lenses in but these days it's a blue moon event when I put them on ! Also since moving to Cumbria I'm a scruff as you can getaway with looking like your about to go hiking !

Out on the tiles one evening thinking how great I look....till OH takes a photo and I see both grandmothers looking out.

I find as I get older I try to cover up, don't wear sleeveless tops or low cut dresses, well don't wear dresses at all have thread veins ok in the winter but in the summer it's long skirts or trousers that are cotton loose cut only wear shorts indoors would never go out in them. Have bunions so shoes or sandles that cover my bumps like canvas shoes my hair is ok it's grey and fine but use a shampoo makes it fuller. I do go to hairdresser every 5weeks has a good cut.
The thing is I have learnt to show off the best bits and cover the worst.
I was a sixties girl and wore all the trendy gear. There are lots of lovely clothes about and you can find the things that suit you the best I like classic so that's what I buy

Only use a little mascara, otherwise I look as though I havent any eyes, a little lipstick when I go out, otherwise not really bothered about being old, my hair is thinner as other readers have said (which made me feel better) love my hair colour, Silver, my hair has always been my "crowning glory" and I still like it to look decent, ok maybe I am a bit critical after all.

When I was around 18 I had a figure to die for, and long thick brown hair. Sadly I was consumed with hatred for my nose! Now the figure has gone and so has the hair! I'm left with thin wispy short hair which I dislike a lot. Strangely I love myself more than I did as a teen. I put it down to being married to a good man who boosts my confidence every day.

I am much more critical about my appearance. People used to say that I looked young for my age and I loved hearing that. But I feel that I now look my age - 68. Trouble is, as already mentioned, the image I have in my head of myself is nothing like the one I see in the mirror.

I am much more critical and take more care of my appearance now. I knew from a young age that I would never be pretty and always tried to compensate by dressing nicely and having good hair and make up. Now that I am older, it doesn't come as easily! I am not trying to look younger, but just to make the best of myself because that gives me confidence.