When we are young, we don’t notice the subtle changes that our bodies go through as we age, but once we reach our forties, the changes may become more apparent. You may start to notice the odd wrinkle appearing here and there or notice that your once toned body isn’t looking quite as buff as it used to. It’s not all doom and gloom though – with age comes wisdom and experience, and many men (and indeed women) even profess to feeling more confident and happier in their maturing years. If you are a man nearing middle age or feel like time is starting to take its toll, then read on.
Here is a man’s guide to looking and feeling great as you age
Take care of your skin
Skincare isn’t just for women. It’s also extremely popular with men nowadays, so if you don’t already have a regular skincare routine, it might be time to get one. Our skin can take a beating from day to day pollutants, weather, and also shaving, so taking some time to feed and nurture it could make a big difference to its appearance.
If you only want to do the basics, then a face moisturizer is a must over everything else. It will help to nourish your skin and keep it hydrated, and if you use one with a built-in SPF, it will also protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. If you want to take things a step or two further, cleanse and tone morning and night before applying a moisturizer. It will help to keep your skin clear and wash away all the nasties and any excess oils that your skin has produced.
A skincare routine is one of the best ways to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful, so it’s worth taking a few minutes out of your day to pamper yourself a little.
Clothing and accessories
What you wear can completely change how you look and feel. As you age, you might be tempted to play it safe, but there is nothing to stop you from keeping up with the latest fashions. A pair of jeans and some black leather loafers, for example, look great on men of any age and are bang on trend just now. A T-shirt coupled with a more formal blazer style jacket is also quite popular at the moment, but do be careful as it can make you look like you are trying too hard, which isn’t a good look.
In terms of accessories, a nice watch or pair of cufflinks can help to make you feel smart and confident, and newsboy caps are a great way to accessorize without being too flashy.
One of the most important things to remember when it comes to fashion is that you must feel comfortable. If you feel awkward or self-conscious, you won’t pull it off, and it could affect your confidence. Stick with what you like, and you can’t go wrong.
To shave or not to shave?
Beards and stubble are very on-trend at the moment and can even make you look younger, but this very much depends on the color of your facial hair or the way you take care of your beard. If you have reached the point where you have several colors such as ginger, grey, and browns coming though at once, then it may not be the most flattering of looks. By all means, try it out, but if you feel that it’s doing you no favors, the clean-shaven or short stubble approach may be your best bet.
In terms of general hairstyles, many men find that shorter cuts help them look and feel younger. If you have grey coming in, you may be tempted to dye it, but it could be obvious, and you may end up looking even older. If you are single, bear in mind that a bit of salt and pepper is usually popular with the ladies!
Unwanted hair such as nose and ear hair can become more noticeable and grow more rapidly as you age. It won’t help you look any younger, so it’s worth getting your trimmers out and getting rid of it. Many men like to have their unwanted hair waxed as it takes longer to grow back, so that is another option to consider. If you are currently rocking a unibrow, then it might be a good shout getting that seen to at the same time. The younger you look, the better you are likely to feel, so a bit of pruning is a step in the right direction.
