Posted on 01/30/2009 8:20:56 AM PST by qam1
They say life improves with every decade, so good news for the thirtysomethings amongst us, after a new survey reveals women feel at their most beautiful aged 32.
After leaving behind acne in our teens, insecurities and heartbreak in our twenties, once we hit our early thirties, we feel the most comfortable in our own skin.
Nearly 40% of women quizzed on how they feel about their looks said they felt most attractive at 32 – and they’re in good company with celebs including Liv Tyler, Sophie Dahl and Sarah Michelle Gellar all entering their 32nd year in 2009.
Women who answered the survey explained that at 32 they felt their life had the perfect combination of confidence gained from life experience, an active love life and the enjoyment of eating and drinking sensibly.
Psychologist Dr Sandra Wheatley said the survey results were ‘really encouraging’ and showed that women saw life achievements as just as valuable as a youthful appearance.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Dr Wheatley said: ‘It sounds to me like women are becoming much more swayed by personality. It's a sign that we are valued for who we are and what we are capable of, not just what is on the surface.
‘Feeling beautiful is tied in with confidence and life experience. At 32, a woman has been through and survived more experiences and achieved more than at 22.’
She added: ‘Women can be their own worst enemy, scrutinising each other's weight and wrinkles. But this is a really encouraging study that beauty is more than skin deep.’
Speaking for all the other male FReepers who have read your About page, we suspect you are a very attractive woman.
We wish you have a Happy Birthday tomorrow!
Wow, that's the nicest thing I've heard in a very long time!!!! You and your wife are very fortunate.
I’m going with 35 right now. That’s the age I am and have more fellows giving me the “I wonder” look lately. I’m almost thinking of changing my hair back to it’s normal color instead of red, just to stop it.
Who is that girl? She looks just like girl I know.
I better hurry up then... I turn 33 in March!
Used to be that men aged better than women. However, with most the couples I know in their 40s and 50s the wives look much better than their husbands. These days, the women tend to diet, work out and pay more attention to their health. From what I see, the men really start to go down hill after 40, while the women are still looking pretty good.
Fredhead beat you by one day....he'll be along to let you know how he's handling 5-0...
Yeah but that’s not what age men think.
That just means when women sort through their rubble and come to terms with themselves.
My life struggle was finally over. I raised my three kids, got rid of my first husband and married the greatest man on earth.
I could then wear a bikini (got rid of having babies fat) weighted 125 pounds with long blond hair.
The later part of my life is better than my younger years. Of course marrying an abuser the first time made it rough.
You are obviously not from the northeast. Here women are only beginning to undo the damage they suffered from “letting go” after marriage.
And unfortunately they try “the comeback” with dieting which obviously doesn’t do anything to bring back the youth that has gone past.
Shoot just look at the male athletes in their 40s alone. One woman said to me that men do great in their 40s. For women, it’s more like they look good for being in their 40s.
But your definition of “looking pretty good” is entirely your own of course.
I feel pretty comfy in my skin at the ripe “old” age of 36. : )
35 is that short period of time for a woman much like the one day that the green banana turns fully, luciously yellow — and then the brown goopy mess presents itself the very next morning.
Not when she has genes that make her look young for a long time. :) My dad was 60, looked 40, and acted 20 when he died. I inherited those genes and hated it until I was over 30.
Now I say wow. Your description of yourself sounds just like my wife, who also turns 50 this year.
Now I know what to get her: a skimpy new bikini!
The early 30s were good for me, but believe it or not....I actually felt the best about myself shortly after having my first child at almost 36. Fortunately, I didn’t gain much baby fat, so it came off quickly. And I felt like I had just accomplished the biggest, hardest, most amazing thing in life — giving birth. I hope I feel that way after having # 2. :)
Sir, you are an excellent husband.
I'm still very lucky and happy.
I Thank God for my life change.
Well that made me feel better!!!!!!!!!! Maybe 50 is the new 32... Yeah I will think of it that way. Whooo Hooooo!!!
“Sex appeal is something you feel deep inside. I can convey as much fully clothed, picking apples off a tree or standing in the rain.”—Audrey Hepburn
“All I wanted for Christmas was immediately to shoot another movie with Audrey Hepburn.”-Cary Grant
Men; 40 - 60
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