Chepooka

Redefining Age

I have an appointment to get my hair cut this afternoon and I can’t decide if I should let it grow a bit, cut it shorter and shag it out, or what. So over the weekend I decided to browse some celebrity sites to check out trends in hair. I am not going to bring in yet another photo of Katie Holmes for my hairdresser to groan over, but you know, I figure celebs have access to the best hair people on the planet, so idea shopping I go!

This morning I woke up in a bit of a twist. Partially because it’s MONDAY! and waking up in a twist is just par for the course. But partly because I’ve been simmering on the images I saw yesterday. What is up with all the surgery, collagen and botox?

I know this is not new, but it’s now got a firm grip on women in my age group (late 30s and early 40s). I look to these women - with access to stylists, world-class makeup artists and hair dressers, and all the best fashion money can buy - to be role models for looking great at this age. This is what I get?

Meg Ryan doesn’t look like Meg Ryan anymore. Nicole Kidman has yet to form a wrinkle, that’s just WRONG! And don’t get me started on Melanie Griffith.

I’ve never been one to care too much about such things. In my group of friends I was always the one more likely to have my nose in a book than to be out shopping. I am not materialistic or overly concerned about my appearance, but I do understand that maintenance is required. Looking my best gives me confidence and so forth, I have to remind myself that it’s not an entirely shallow exercise. It’s part of feeling good, part of the whole system that creates self image and confidence.

I admit to using skin care products that promise to minimize the appearance of wrinkles. I’m guilty of spending way too much money on cosmetics (and then rarely using them! LOL) I admit that I would really really like to get my 22 year old body back, so I watch what I eat and exercise and dream of fitting into a pair of skinny jeans again as motivation.

But I draw the line at cosmetic procedures. Some of my friends are starting in on this already, secret botox treatments and so forth. In a way I admire people who give a shit this much, I just. Don’t. Also, I don’t know WHY there is anything wrong with looking 37 when you are 37. What is wrong with 37? It’s way better than 24, man I was a bundle of confusion, insecurity and stress back then; trying to sort out who I am and what I wanted out of life and how to get it was a full time job.

I’ve survived all of that, and a few wrinkles is nothing more than proof of that. I have earned every laugh and frown line, it’s what makes a 37 year old face interesting, and dare I say, sexy. I am not saying there is anything wrong with a little maintenance, or even surgery if that’s what it takes for you to feel good. But I resent that hollywood redefines age in this way. Before, it was all about being THIN. Now, it’s being thin and not having a sag, bag or wrinkle too. Wow, that’s a LOT of work.

Personally, I want to enjoy my middle aged years doing things like traveling, learning new things, contributing more to my community and the world. I don’t want to spend all my extra money and time on chemical peels and collagen. I suppose that means I’ll lose my looks much faster than those that prioritize such things, but at this point I don’t really care that much. I can’t see myself except when I’m looking in the mirror anyway.

Anyway. This is a note to people who take this stuff to the extreme:

1) You don’t look like Angelina, you look like The Joker.
2) Just because you don’t have wrinkles doesn’t mean you look like you’re 20. You just look like an oddly unwrinkled 40 year old.
3) Baggy eyes are more attractive than whatever perpetually surprised alien creature you’re modeling yourself after now.

That is all.

Posted by chepooka on 07/16 at 09:36 AM

Comments

OK yeah I’m only 30. But I love the smile lines I have. I am like you, I don’t have the time or patience for makeup and today I have to wear closed-toe shoes because my toenail polish hasn’t been done in 3 weeks and its embarassing. I’m not completely without taste or polish when it comes to my appearance, but I’m no Barbie doll either.

Posted by on 07/17 at 05:34 AM

There’s definitely a fine line in my opinion. I think it’s ok to want to look your best and to do what you need to do to feel that way. But the folks in hollywood that are supposed to represent some kind of ideal ... well, they just seem so ODD to me. Meg Ryan is the one that really pisses me off. She would have aged so well if she had just left well enough alone. :/

Posted by chepooka on 07/17 at 02:43 PM