No, seriously. Occasionally, I have had friends who have wanted to look older. Of course, they were under the age of 25 at the time. So, tips on looking older, for those under the age of 25:
- lose the “high school hair”. High school hair is that beautiful, but unstyled, long, straight-ish hair.
- add blonde highlights to your dark brown hair. This is especially effective in mimicking the affect of graying.
- wear a full face of foundation AND powder.
- trade in the elements of leisure in your outfits (runners, hoodies) for a carefully crafted contemporary classic look.
And it couldn’t hurt to shop Old Navy – Women’s Wear to Work.
Have you ever wanted to look older?
Yes, but I think I have finally passed that stage. O:-) Toting four kids is a sufficient aging device–and I never get mistaken for the nanny. I think a nanny would look more organized!
Don’t wear camis or show any cleavage or bra straps, (As they say, if you can see up it, down it or through it, don’t wear it.)
Don’t chew gum or wear more than one earring per ear; Cover any tattoos with clothing. Don’t wear clothes with school, sports team or other recreationally-oriented logos (Nike, Helly Hansen etc.) if highlights are not done professionally and fairly discreetly, they will make you look quite junior in terms of job level. (Few women execs have natural gray hair; they tend to colour.)
I think it’s useful to find an older role model in one’s company or industry. There are industry and regional differences, so a role model near you is a good yardstick.
More than the clothes, certain behaviours telegraph youth.
If a young woman uses it, drop the frequent use of “like” as in, “I said, like, ‘what time is the meeting’?”
Resist twirling, pulling or playing with your hair anywhere but your own cubicle.
Learn how to shake hands a firm, confident grip, not a limp hand.
I still have high-school hair because I haven’t figured out what to do otherwise! I feel like going short is the descent into awkward newscaster-style hair, which I want to avoid like the dickens. Do you have any suggestions for a middle ground?
*chuckle* Your majesty – my young looking friends have sometimes felt they were being glared at for being a 15yo mom! by the time you have 4 kids the glares are no doubt for another reason. 😉
Duchesse – good list!
enna. – high school hair has its own beauty, so it’s not necessarily a bad thing. For a middle ground, I tend to like to see a young lady bring the length up to just above the armpit or somewhere in there and get a shape and texture that works with their hair and personality. Mine, for example, would be layered because I have thick hair that wants to be random. That still maintains the youthful long hair, but begins to add some style.
“awkward newscaster hair” I could be guilty of that, if I was able to make my hair behave in any way. lol