Are you feeling less than great about your body and want to look gorgeous and feel better in your 40s? Cheer up – you’re not alone. Many people often get worried about a wrinkled face, a heavier body, or loosening skin in their 40s. Luckily, finding a little confidence is easier than you think.

Though turning 40 can feel like a big deal, it might just be the beginning of your best decade yet. Follow these steps to start feeling better today.

 

Cut out negative friends:

Get rid of friends who put you down or make you feel bad about yourself. Similarly, avoid friends who are constantly talking about how much they dislike their bodies or how fat they are.

 

Join social groups:

Try joining a volunteering association, travelling group, or sports league. According to research, belonging to groups that are important to you benefits your self-esteem more than only having friends.

 

Eat healthily:

Instead of going on a super-restrictive diet, opt for nutritious foods that give you energy, taste good, and don’t make you hate yourself afterwards. Also, eating more fruit and vegetables can keep you healthy and attractive.

 

Get enough sleep:

Once you get into your 40s, you might need to reassess exactly how much sleep you’re getting. The quality of sleep tends to go down with age, partly due to increased life stress and also due to hormonal changes that occur in both men and women. Getting the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep a night will enhance your immune system and reduce stress levels.

 

Stay hydrated:

Beauty after 40 starts from the inside. Staying hydrated can improve the health and condition of your skin in addition to maintaining a healthy body weight.

 

Use sunscreen:

Keeping your skin protected with a little sunscreen can improve your appearance and confidence, especially as you age.

 

Opt for the right products:

By the age of 40, using products that help add and retain moisture is really important. Use a mild cleanser that won’t strip moisture from the skin and heavier moisturisers at night so you wake up to supple, glowing skin, and lock it all in with a hydrating toner.

 

Take care of the neck:

As we age, neck skin tends to lose elasticity and show signs of aging faster than other parts of the body. Try incorporating a neck moisturiser into your regular skincare routine to reduce crepiness, dry skin, and irritation.

 

Whiten your teeth:

A bright, healthy smile can make you look better in no time. Research reveals a significant association between healthy, well-aligned teeth and attractiveness.

 

Tend your roots:

Though plenty of people are paying good money for ombre hair, having visible roots if you’re over 40 isn’t doing you any favours. So, try to hit the salon every few months for a touch-up of your colour.

 

Swap your glasses:

According to a study published in the Swiss Journal of Psychology, glasses can make people look smarter, but less attractive. So, try swapping your glasses for a pair of contact lenses. To look more attractive if you choose to keep your glasses, try a rimless pair instead of your usual frames.

 

Apply light makeup: 

Don’t use heavy foundation to conceal signs of aging. This can look unnatural and settle in lines, making them look more noticeable. A little bit of concealer and powder may help you tone down redness and broken capillaries.

 

Add eye cream: 

Making eye cream a part of your regular routine can stave off some of the early signs of aging, making you look more refreshed in the process.

 

Emphasise your lashes:

Longer, thicker eyelashes can make your eyes look bigger and more refreshed. Whether you’re opting for a lengthening mascara or splurging on eyelash extensions, emphasising your lashes can go a long way towards making you look better after 40.

 

Let your brows grow:

A full brow is very youthful and frames the face. As we age, our brows start to thin out, lose colour, and lie flat. Fluff them up with a brow pencil, powder, or pomade in a matching colour using hair-like strokes to lightly fill in sparse areas.

 

Love your body the way it is:

Be confident about your appearance. Instead of undergoing a major makeover, play up your assets and try to embrace the way you look now not how you wish you once looked.

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*A version of this article appears in print in the 15 December, 2022 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly