AGEING IS NOT A PERSONAL FAILURE

At some point, ageing stopped being something that happens and became something we're apparently supposed to prevent.

Wrinkles? Fix them.
Grey hair? Cover it.
Looking your age? God forbid.

We have thoughts.

YOU ARE, IN FACT, SUPPOSED TO AGE

There is something slightly absurd about treating every visible sign of getting older as evidence that you've somehow let yourself go. Skin changes. Faces change. Bodies change. That's not a lack of discipline. That's biology. 
And yet, somewhere between anti-ageing skincare, preventative Botox and the latest longevity routine, ageing has quietly become another thing we're expected to be good at. Preferably without anyone being able to tell we're doing it.

WANTING TO LOOK GOOD ISN'T THE PROBLEM

And no, we're not about to tell you to throw away your retinol. We LOVE skincare. We like treatments. We like collagen. Obviously. Wanting to look good, feel good and take care of yourself isn't shallow. The problem starts when looking older becomes synonymous with looking worse. Those aren't the same thing.

FOREVER YOUNG

You can't stay 25 forever, but maybe the goal should just be to look really good at 35. And 55. And 105. Healthy. Glowy. Strong. Well rested when possible. Slightly overdressed when appropriate. But still recognisably you. Because a face that has lived for 45 years looking like it has lived for 45 years isn't a skincare emergency.

IS AGEING ONLY SEXY WHEN MEN DO IT?

Why is ageing still treated so differently depending on who's doing it? A man gets grey hair and suddenly he's distinguished. His wrinkles give him character. Clooney ages like fine wine, and gets the title Gorgeous George. A woman gets the same grey hair and wrinkles and we're wondering whether she's “let herself go”. Interesting. Women are still expected to age, obviously. We're just not really supposed to look like we're ageing. Apparently, his wrinkles tell a story while hers require an appointment. 
Maybe the most rebellious thing we can do is stop treating a woman's face like a problem to solve.

THE ALTERNATIVE

There is also one fairly important detail we tend to leave out of the anti-ageing conversation: Ageing is a privilege. If you don't want to get older, we have some unfortunate news about the alternative.
So yes, we'll happily try to keep our skin healthy, hydrated and glowy for as long as possible. But getting another birthday? We'll take that too. Every single time.

THE BADDIE TAKE

Take care of your skin.
Wear the SPF.
Drink the water.
Use the retinol.
Take the collagen if you want to.
Feel good in your skin.

But don't confuse taking care of yourself with trying to erase every piece of evidence that you've lived.

Ageing is not a personal failure. It's kind of the plan.