GROOMING – How to Look Younger Than Your Age

We personally don’t see the problem with looking your age or indeed the problem with looking old at all. Instead we believe in embracing our changing faces, deepening laugh lines and ever appearing wrinkles, all of which tell a story – our story. But, understandably every now and again we’re all guilty of looking in the mirror and wishing, just occasionally, that we looked a tiny bit younger, you know – just a little bit.

It’s become apparent, however, that the total preoccupation with looking younger is no longer just the go to neurosis of women, but now men too have joined in on the obsession. These days being asked for ID could put a smile on your face for the rest of the week, whereas being offered a seat on the tube could be taken as more of an insult than a joyous relief from the too-close-for-comfort confines of standing on the tube at rush hour.

The way we see it, there are 3 main giveaways when trying to hide your age; skin, hair and teeth. There are also three pretty significant things that can hinder them. Amongst other unmentionable lifestyle choices, the biggest problems are drinking, smoking and sleep (or lack there of) so aside from finding a work-life balance that enables you the elusive 8 hours sleep a night, no drinking or smoking, and remembering to have at least 2 litres of water a day, then here are a few pointers to help you on your way in tricking the shop attendant behind the wine counter that you’re still a teenager.

SKIN

Wrinkles, crows feet, puffy eyes, laugh lines – whatever you want to call them, your skin is your bodies way of telling you (and the rest of the world) just how much you partied in your youth, smoked and drank through your 20s, and exactly how many hours of sleep you average a night. Anti-wrinkle creams may or may not work, but realistically no one will actually ever know, so you’re better off spending that money on other things, like beer.

If you’re serious about slowing down the signs of ageing then avoid sun-beds, always wear SPF (even in winter), drink lots of water and moisturise every day. Alternatively, you could get surgery, but you might end up looking like Shane Warne or Bruce Jenner, and then ageing gracefully will be the very least of your problems.

HAIR

Whether you have a few grey hairs, a salt & pepper smattering or no hair at all, this is another sure fire sign that the years are ticking on. The solution? You could dye it, get plugs or wear a wig – the choices are endless, but we suggest you’re much better off embracing what your genes have given you and having a read of this instead – thegentlemansjournal.co.uk

TEETH

Yellowing teeth are an absolute tell-tale sign of a man of age – a man who has probably had a rather enjoyable life at that, fuelled by strong espressos, red wine and cigars – vices which will inevitably make you pay in the long run. If you’re serious about reducing your hypothetical age, then try munching on apples (no lie), using whitening toothpaste or full blown whitening treatments, but don’t give up the bad habits, the key is to look younger, not to stop living.

With all the above firmly in our minds, may we turn your attention to the master of anti-ageing icons, the grammy award winning, up-all-night-to-get-lucky, all round cool-guy…Pharell Williams, who at the ripe old age of 40, could seriously be mistaken for 25 years old. The sickeningly youthful singer has finally revealed his secret…

“How do I stay so young-looking for a 40-year-old? I wash my face.”

I guess we’ll just keep on doing the same then…