What can I do to look older?

[emiliamilana]

People usually assume I‘m about 17/18 years old. I‘m okay with it, my only problem is that the guys who approach me are usually about 18 and guys my age don‘t really approach me. How can I change my appearance in order to look my age? lol

[Screenwriter]

Look at your wardrobe. You might be underage dressing. Wear more coordinated outfits: classic styles, and add makeup to your look. Lipstick, some eye shadow.

Make sure your nails are done when you go out, and don't do "trendy" colors like icy whites and neon greens. Use subtle colors, like French manicured nails, soft pinks, dark reds. Check out your hairstyle too. Avoid ponytails, braids. Pile your hair up on top of your head in a fancier do. Get advice from your beautician about a more mature look.

Doing all those things should help you look less like a teen-ager. But enjoy your youthful looks and simply tell people your age. Pull out your driver's license if needs be. That'll discourage the high-school boys. Hang out in bars or at meetups with people your age. Word will get around.

[caring__1]

It's more about changing your lifestyle than changing your looks. If you do the types of things 18 year olds enjoy, they'll be drawn to you. Get involved with activities that show more responsibility. You can do volunteer work with an interest group or a group that promotes a cause you believe in. You can get involved in your community or join a professional organization.

[SnowedIn]

Clothes and hair and, as @LavLavLuv said, makeup will change how old you look dramatically. Add in how you stand and walk and we can pass you off as 30. Add in speaking... 🙂

[emiliamilana]

well 24 would be enough for now 😂 thank you! what kind of clothes do you think would make me look my age?

[SnowedIn]

Remember that I'm old, right, so my thinking is influenced by that.

But, I'd throttle back on leggings, hoodies, etc. And focus on slacks, skirts, blouses, jumpsuits, etc. Have the pieces fit you well. Not tight, just good fit.

Add accessories -- the right belt, a scarf, a couple pieces of jewelry.

Throw a blazer or a sweater into your outfit.

Jeans are very cool, but not necessarily with holes -- the holes are cool but they'll take years off your look.

Shoes -- add a little heel, or go for an upscale bootie in something like suede. Loafers are a long overlooked classic, especially with a nice pair of jeans and a blazer.

Essentially: look polished. That will elevate you from high schooler to young professional. Doesn't mean uncomfortable... just polished.

[emiliamilana]

okay, thank you so much. that‘s really helpful

[SnowedIn]

You're very welcome!

Also, hair. Take a look through mags and the internet and look at some styles -- up your game by having it down and to one side, or some fancier up styles and the accessories that hold it up.

[emiliamilana]

I think my hair looks best when it‘s curled and down. is that also more mature? lol

sometimes I like to do pigtails because they‘re cute but they obviously make me look younger haha so I‘ll avoid that on days I want to look my age

the problem is just that I feel most pretty and confident when I wear a cute dress, little makeup and my hair pretty natural/curled. and when I try really hard to look mature I feel less comfortable. but I‘ll probably get used to it! (fingers crossed)

[SnowedIn]

Down is good, curls are good (although sometimes over curled looks younger in my opinion.

Pigtails are cute but also young looking.

But, you have to be you and you have to be comfortable. So there's a line that only you can define for how you dress and style and act.

That said, the more you dress and act a certain way, the more you'll get comfortable with it. You'll also get noticed for it.

Whatever you do, own it. No timidity! 🙂

[emiliamilana]

okay thank youu! I‘ll try it.

apart from the fact that it makes it a bit difficult to find a boyfriend, do you think it‘s generally a bad thing to look younger? it always makes me insecure when people tell me that

[SnowedIn]

I do NOT think it's a bad thing to look younger. And, this should grow up with you so that when you're 40 and look 30 or 25 you'll count it as a Godsend. I also think that's what the clothes and hair and other styling cues (don't forget how you stand and walk and talk) do -- they are signals to others that "hey, although I look young, I'm a confident 20-something woman/professional."

And, I get it about the insecurity. That's fair. My only suggestion would be to take it at face value that unless they're deliberately trying to be a jerk, it's probably a badly phrased compliment.

[emiliamilana]

that‘s true. my mom always tells me I will appreciate it when I‘m older. she also looks younger than her age so I probably got it from her haha.

also, I will be a university student for another 2 years which also makes me feel less mature than people who are already working. but I enjoy my life so much and and I truly believe every stage in life is beautiful. so I guess I‘ll just get to stay in this stage a little bit longer 😄

[SnowedIn]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! That's a HUGE piece of this puzzle. The environment around us matters HUGELY. So, you're in school. You look young. People will automatically default to assuming you're a high schooler or a first year or something. Once you're done and in the professional world, that will happen less.

[emiliamilana]

haha yes. that‘s true! once I graduate I‘ll hopefully look a bit older because I‘m studying to become a high school teacher 😂

[SnowedIn]

Oh that's funny. When my oldest son started his first year of high school, his English teacher was only 4'11" and she looked younger than most of the girls in his class.

[emiliamilana]

haha do you think that it was good or bad? because on the one hand, the students might not take a teacher who looks that young seriously. but on the other hand it might make them like the teacher and therefore behave better because the teacher feels more close to them and maybe more relatable or „cooler“, you know?

[SnowedIn]

Based on my fuzzy recollection of what my son said, it was mostly good. She was young enough to relate to the students but, yeah, he said there were times where she wasn't taken seriously. It helped that it was an honors class, so the students weren't there to give her a hard time.

[emiliamilana]

okay, that sounds good! I think as a teacher your attitude is very important, they have to see that you are confident, competent and won‘t tolerate bad behavior

[SnowedIn]

This absolutely!

[emiliamilana]

thank you so much for replying! you seem very kind and smart

[SnowedIn]

😊 you're very nice to say that. Just trying to help when I can. You're also very smart, well spoken, and thoughtful.

[emiliamilana]

thank you so much, i really appreciate it! ☺️

[SnowedIn]

Thank you for MHO!

[MementoMori777]

Makeup I guess, can't say I really know but what I do know is that this feature will become very beneficial when you you are in your 30s and 40s

[emiliamilana]

that‘s true haha then I will probably view it as a gift

[MementoMori777]

Yep which I don't know how you'll react to this in your 30s and 40s but you'll most likely attract the guys you want to attract now 😂

[emiliamilana]

haha omg true. I didn‘t think of that 😭

[MementoMori777]

You're welcome 😌📄

[slatyb]

Lose the hair bow, wear more sophisticated styles. You might try resale shops to find designer clothes at a price you can afford. If you have ah friend you feel free well, ask her. You'll want to do this in a larger city.

[slatyb]

If you have friend who's style you admire...

[RavVid]

How you dress might be a factor. Without pics hard to say.

[brandon1122]

That sucks. I think makeup can help. Search on YouTube something like "make up to look few years older"

[TrillXHippy]

I’m 27 and people have told me that I look like a teenager so I don't know

[jamesgoldman]

Buy good jewellery

I'm 25, wear a lot and often pass for 30

[Anonymous]

It's not about look...
It's about how you talk & behave with them make you mature & stupid young.

[LavLavLuv]

Full makeup?

[emiliamilana]

I‘ve tried it but I have light hair and skin and I always think I look bad when I use eyeliner or colorful eyeshadow / lipstick for example.. :/ do you have any tips?

[LavLavLuv]

smokey eyeshadow and a bold lipstick of your choice

[riverrat3]

Be glad, when you are older you will look younger

[ArwenCalcifur]

Makeup maybe? :)
Do you give advice as well?

[emiliamilana]

wym?

[Lavitadifarfala]

I don't know..