I've noticed getting nearer and nearer to 50; my friends and others are looking a bit rough around the edges. They don't seem to appreciate this much. My greatest friend on earth said to me one day; "I Love my wrinkles, I have earned every one of them!" She said it in all sincerity; with a twinkle in her eyes. I loved that.

But apparently everybody else is noticing too and a few of them have been asking me; "How do you stay so young looking?" Or getting comments like "You look the same as you did in High-school!" (YA RIGHT!)  I Am, however, tired, (yawn) of all the magazine/TV ad crap about how women are supposed to look.

How to Look for WHO?  Men I guess, or other women if they are gay.  But really - for WHOM?

But this got me to thinking -- why would that be if it's true? Why, if I am honest, do I look younger than other women my own age? (I sure shouldn't by rights!) But as we all know, life isn't fair and we all didn't get great genes and that can't be helped.  So I decided to put together this little number of why I think that is.

1. Good Genes. Yep, that just HAS to be number 1 and there is not a thing anybody can do about that so...it isn't really #1 as in How to look younger, but I believe it's true.
2. (Real #1) - Ha - Don't frown. Frowning people get a LOT of lines on their faces and lines (wrinkles) make you look old - older than you probably are. I have yet to see a girl in her early 20's with frown lines.
3. Moisture- if it's lotions, potions or motions...keep your skin moisturized!! All those expensive creams aside--I'm going to tell you a little tale here. I have a friend that spent a few weeks in a county jail. Long story...and long story not being told here - she said this which Does apply to this hub. She told me the women in jail had super nice soft skin and she asked them how/why. They said *Vaseline*. SO - go figure.....ANY-way; whatever you think or how many bucks you spend, just remember that standing in the shower with all that glorious steam is really great for your skin. If you live in a really dry climate, moisturize all the more. Morning, noon and night and best to do so right After you've been wet.  What is the MAIN ingredient in 99.9% of all lotions/potions?  WATER!
4. Speaking of water - drink it too.  I'm not going so far as to say 8 glasses a day but you do need it and you need it every day.
5. If your eyes look like crap, your whole face does. Especially the dark circles under the eyes. Dark circles are caused by a lot of things but I think the main one is probably being tired for a longish while. Tired and/or run-down. So get enough sleep and take the vitamins and minerals that you NEED.
6. The eyes again:  If you have puffy eyes or puffy under the eyes; try putting cold on them - it takes away the puffy look. Puffy also looks like crap because you look older and tired.. :} Cold tea bags, cucumber slices, anything safe.
7. Hair can really make you look older than you are. Or just look worse than you need to.  Face shape and all that. I'm no glamore expert here (by FAR!) but I can *see* and I've noticed that people with longer faces can wear nearly any hair style and pull it off fairly well. Not so with any other face shapes, especially the ROUND face. Go get some professional help. Find a style that compliments you and keep it. Also, dyed hair with grey coming out the sides - ewww uuuu...'nuff said.
8. Smile! Teeth showing or not; just do it. It makes Everybody look better.
9. If you are 15 or 50 - put the breaks on the make-up!  Make-up (I think) is supposed to be used to make you look better and brighter...(as in bright-looking, not gonna make you smarter!) So...you can use make-up but it should NOT look like you are - that is a basic. Unless you are a super-model; you just won't be pulling that look off. It only draws attention to the caked on make-up; not your face at all...(unless that is what you want - which, of course, is entirely up to you.)
10. If you need glasses, get some that compliment your face. Take an *honest* friend along to choose them. Or get contacts. Whatever you do, just don't wear glasses that make you look *worse*.
11. Dress well. This means we don't go out in our sweats. The older we are, the MORE important this is! Wear clothes that actually FIT you and are at least on the fringes of that oh so broad and roomy realm called *style*. Me, I stick to great fitting jeans and a nice top. Unless I *want something*. If I want something; out comes the hardcore black and white. I don't care WHAT cosmo and their friends have to say; Basics are Best and Black is our best friend.
12. Keep as healthy as you can. No brainer there. Not much to add. Walk, exercise, eat right, take vitamins, etc....
13. Did I mention sleep? Yes, I'm mentioning it again. Nighty Night!

dohn at http://hubpages.com/profile/dohn121 - I have to give Kudos where due!

Dohn got it right - I think he may even have  #1 - stress.  It's at least up there with genes and health.

Keep the stress down and you will definitely look better.