Looking awful!

When/if I reach my late 70s I probably won't care much about my looks either, but like others in their mid to late 60s I do feel I've aged quite suddenly during the last few years.

Winter certainly doesn't help...

I actually feel sorry for you all. I am 79 and just accept my looks and am glad to have reached this age. I use moisturizer to make my skin feel better not look better and don't expect to look 30/40/50/60 but 79 and accept the passing of time so am never depressed or upset by it.

Those of you who look like their mothers are lucky, I look like my granny! Make up makes me resemble Aunt Sally (remember her?) It's not easy growing old in a world obsessed with youth and beauty, and hard if you have physical ailments to bear, but hey let's embrace old age. It's better than the alternative, I hope. I agree it's what's on the inside that counts and friends and family who love you. Get rid of the mirrors and eccentricity is definitely the way to go.

I just turned 67 today and feel quite happy and reasonably attractive at the moment but this time last week I was suffering from a twisted knee and in great pain. I looked dreadful - pale, drawn and miserable. I think as you get older any discomfort shows in your face. If I haven't heard from my son and family for a few days I look quite grim then as soon as I have a phonecall or message I look visibly improved. A smile certainly improved anyones looks I think.

Sympathy for those with illness to cope with, I am ok but have had a long Winter of chest infections and a cough which refuses to go.Feel pale ( but not interesting!)
Did a face pack a few days ago, which helped, always use a good moisturiser and a little make up.Can't say I worry too much about it, am more concerned to feel well as the years go by.

had a bone scan two weeks ago which confirmed what my doctor thought. I have osteoporosis.I also have a fractured vertebrae in my thorasic spine.I'm in pain all the time strong painkillers give me some respite. I'm back on steroids for asthma and I feel my weight ballooning as I speak. I hate the winter, I'm always miserable until spring comes. Having said that I've just learnt that one of our neighbours has died and she was about 6 years younger than me.so I must stop moaning and be thankful that I still have a husband after 56years, we enjoy each others company and that means a lot.

I meant to add that when I have washed my hair and it is dry I rub two drops of L'oreal oil into the palm of my hands and smooth it through my hair. It does not make it greasy or heavy just nourishes my hair and stops any flyaways.

Years ago I remember seeing a poster that said "Women's equality will only be achieved when women can grow fat, bald and paunchy and still think they're attractive to the opposite sex"

I'm not yet 61 but I've been invisible for the past 20 years, and still am. I've recently taken to wearing makeup (never done that before in my life) and it still makes no difference (though a shop assistant today did tell me she thought I had been pretty when I was younger).

Long ago decided that it's not the outside that counts. It's what's on the inside. Even when I was young (and perhaps pretty) I didn't think I was, so that's not going to change now. I do leave my dressing table thinking wow, you look hot, but the first mirror I pass in a public place shows me an old hag carrying to much weight.

I'm currently borderline - do I care? I have friends aplenty who love me and appreciate me for who I am. I have family, and I have DGS. What does it matter what I look like, so long as I am loved? My only real regret is not having a partner (I've been flying solo for 20 years), but I do know I'm loved - just not romantically.

Guess that's my lot in life!

Fumanchu and others with chronic illnesses. I have Polymyalgia which has given me puffy and dark shadow eyes, not a pretty sight.

So I now cleanse with Liz Earle cleanser and hot clothe, which really clears my skin up.

After I have out on my foundation Max Faxtor 3 in 1, I put L'oreal concealer in a wand under my eyes. I always wear eye shadow to detract from my bags. There is a very cheap make in Boots that only costs about £2.00 with a lovely colour range. I always do my eyebrows another trick to detract from bags. Boots no17 have some nice lipsticks.

I give my hair a few flicks with my gas hair curler, and voilà a reasonable image.

Hope that helps.

I keep looking at friends and thinking 'gosh, they've aged suddenly' SIL ( recently lost her husband, my brother ,after a gruelling six months) friend (90 odd year old mother with severe dementia , hospitalised 300 miles away, worried sick) See another old friend on Monday whom I havent seen for over a year . Last time I saw her after a gap I walked past her ...The awful thing is ,they are probably thinking the same about me .I think late sixtes is when it all starts to 'go' ,sadly . The weird thing is I think I look ok-ish 'in the flesh' but in photographs ..oh God .
Being unwell/on meds obviously doesnt help .
I don't sleep terribly well and a really bad night certainly shows now .
Have just lost a stone which helps with the self confidence and fortunately I don't really lose it off my face. Keep thinking I'll bite the bullet and go gray but I think I might just become a colourless blob if I do that (very fair skinned) M DDs tell me they'll say when , as they put it, my hair doesnt 'work' ...
I sometimes think I should just resign myself but vanity wins .

KatyK, I have read that Cliff Richard only eats one meal a day!

I've put on weight over the last few years and developed arthritis in the hip which affects the way I move and also causes pain which affects my facial expression. From looking reasonably pretty I feel I look like a haggard old woman now. So I do sympathise.

I mentioned to my GP that I was feeling depressed and worthless, she referred me to be assessed for counselling and I'm hoping that might help with the feeling of being a haggard old lady as well.

I think the eccentricity route is definitely one to consider. I always think I would have been a goth had I been born later, I wore black all the time and literally hung around in graveyards as it fitted my sad mood. I've wondered about going goth now, but I'm not sure how to go about it in my sixties. It would certainly be eccentric, though!

It is hard to accept that we are aging! I have recently had to abandon my contacts for glasses (but at least they hide some of the bags) and now had to stop colouring my hair so rapidly going white. Have been trying to embrace the new me!

Sorry some of you are suffering with conditions. Thankfully I am not but I am a physical wreck! I have fake teeth, fake hair, my skin which was good up until now has red blotches and spots and I am gaining weight for the first time in my life. Aargh.... I have heard of that blood group diet. I believe Cliff Richard does it. I will take a look.

Take your glasses off, soft focus helps.

How you feel physically shows on your face every time. You must be upset by the diagnosis of Addison's disease but with luck it will be well controlled by medication. I can only suggest positive thinking, not easy when you feel low. But if you were pretty you still are & always will be - you just need a bit of cheering up. As soon as you feel you can, get a new hairstyle and a few new clothes. Only a few weeks until Spring! And good luck.

Gym does help, make myself go as I have immune system arthritis. Often look dire, have found a little light fake tan and having eyebrows and eyelashes dyed helps. Those tricks plus a little blusher help me look like I still belong above ground!!

Nanamacgeek I too have rosacea and I use Clinique Redness Solutions moisturiser cream..it is expensive but you only need a little every day and it really works. Don't be put off by the funny green colour.

Having had one thing after another this winter I think I look like death warmed up. And, I look like my mum, which was a shock yet again in M&S this morning.

I think I look better with blusher and lipstick so always wear them.

If you go into Boots on a quiet day, they might do a makeover for you. Tell the girls that you feel awful and ask what makeup would suit you.

How i sympathise with you. Although i do aerobics three times a week, play indoor and outdoors bowls, gardening in the nice weather and try to walk everywhere, i look into the mirror and see myself starting to look frail and i hate it. I am 65 this year so god knows how i will look in another 2 years!!!!

Persistentdonar
Thank you for the info,not heard of it before but I'm going to go have a read up on it.

Again, and again I recommend giving the blood group diet "Eat Right for Your Type" a trial.

I truly believe it helps with every aspect of health and it costs nothing. All you need to do is a bit of research and make some choices.

[Not that I look that fabulous, but I do feel full of energy.]

Give it a trial, and if anyone wants to pick my brains pm me.
All the best.

I agree Notso This is a terrible time of year to be looking into the mirror, the poor old skin has probably been indoors for a long time, and possibly taken a beating from wind and rain, but and I am one of those who believes that a blow in the fresh air does everything good. I also agree a smile is worth a try, usually brings a smile in return which is heartwarming, and a little make up always makes me feel better (I only wear lipstick). I have found NOT looking in the mirror as soon as I get out of bed also helps.

I think a lot of this depression about looks is to do with the time of year. Most of us look pale, grey and diminished in February, surely? I know I do. Once the warmer weather comes and the sun shines we'll all feel better. Meantime the only thing to do is to smile and wear red lipstick.