What to do when you have a young face

[blueabyss333]

and want to wear buns/baggie method? I'm starting a new job working B2B and I want to make a serious or not-taken-lightheartedly impression when making presentations. Call me insecure- I know my sales skills are impressive- but I look (literally) 18 when I wear my hair up, and I'm 23 going on 24. I want to retain any length. I don't always want to wear rollersets so I think I'm going to start using a flat iron to wear my hair down and look more age appropriate.

 

[RabiaElaine]

First be happy you have a young face...you'll be even happier about it once you get older I know I will be

Anyway, we're about the same age, I'm 24. I too work in corporate America. When I first started working I wasn't big on the protective style thing because I thought I looked more professional with my hair down. My hair suffered as a result and never really gained any length.

I have a couple of suggestions:

-You could wear buns with a side part or straight back (make them low) that always looks more professional. Make the bun very very very sleek, wear a scarf to lay it down. I think if the bun is sleek it looks very professional, maybe even more professional than down. You can wear light make up for an even more polished look. Keep your eyebrows well groomed this will also enhance your look. You can use one of those donut buns to make the bun bigger and neater.

-Another option if you really want to wear hair down is to wear a quickweave or a regular sew in weave. These can look very professional if done correctly. You can at least rest most of your hair this way and still look very natural (if done well).

-You can make clip in hair pieces (there's a thread going now, with an instructional video). You can braid your hair and clip these in similar to a weave and rest most of your hair (you only need to leave out a very little bit to blend).

Goodluck with your new job, and do your thang!

 

[MiWay]

Same thing for me girl... I don't think there's much you can do. I used to wear my glasses, but people still thought I was young, so I just gave up. I'm a recruiter, so I used to feel self conscious with this ponytail/bun every day, but I don't even worry about it anymore. I got protective styling to do...

 

[Mizani_Mrs]

I agree. Makeup is the answer. Also to look well polished and poised. and you wont be mistaken for a youngin...

 

[KiniKakes]

I have the same problem when I wear my hair up. Im a psychotherapist in a hospital, and I know sometimes new, older clients are looking at me like, "How can this young girl help me?" However, Ive found that wearing a bit of makeup helped in making me look a little older. Nothing major, still conservative....but just a dab of lipstick and shadow..... it gives me older look, I think.

 

[Shine-On]

First be happy you have a young face...you'll be even happier about it once you get older I know I will be

Anyway, we're about the same age, I'm 24. I too work in corporate America. When I first started working I wasn't big on the protective style thing because I thought I looked more professional with my hair down. My hair suffered as a result and never really gained any length.

I have a couple of suggestions:

-You could wear buns with a side part or straight back (make them low) that always looks more professional. Make the bun very very very sleek, wear a scarf to lay it down. I think if the bun is sleek it looks very professional, maybe even more professional than down. You can wear light make up for an even more polished look. Keep your eyebrows well groomed this will also enhance your look. You can use one of those donut buns to make the bun bigger and neater.

-Another option if you really want to wear hair down is to wear a quickweave or a regular sew in weave. These can look very professional if done correctly. You can at least rest most of your hair this way and still look very natural (if done well).

-You can make clip in hair pieces (there's a thread going now, with an instructional video). You can braid your hair and clip these in similar to a weave and rest most of your hair (you only need to leave out a very little bit to blend).

Goodluck with your new job, and do your thang!

This is great advice. I have a young face also (26 yrs old) and light make up is definitely the way to go. I always have my brows neat and a little eye shadow and lipglass. I wear only neutral colors.

 

[Syrah]

I know a lot of people aren't gonna feel you on this because "it's a blessing to look younger than you are", but I"m 25 and also in B2B (I'm actually an IT COnsultant). And I've had people make comments about me being the intern, or not taking me seriously, because on average (with my hair up) folks think I'm about 17/18. HAHA...I"m here trying to tell you how to re-engineer your business processes, and you're worried about whether or not I'm over 18. Whatever.

I got a few tips from another older female in the industry about attire and how to be taken seriously. I don't know how much I agree with, but I have utilized some of it.

1. Wear heels whenever possible. Someone did a study in GQ magazine that found that men are more likely to take a women seriously in heels because it has a more "mature" look than most flat shoes. This doesn't mean you have to wear stillettos - but a lift can do some good.

2. Wear pearls as opposed to diamond jewelry.

3. French cuff shirts and scoop neck tops are a major plus. French cuff shirts have a "traditional" business look. They're figure flattering without drawing attention away from YOU and what you're trying to do.

4. Blazers whenever possible. This doesn't mean dressy blazers but sometimes even a semi-casual blazer will add a business-y flare to a more casual outfit.

5. Wear your hair away from your face - swept updo's or headbands (even well done buns). This is great because this is what I"m trying to do anyway - the less I have to mess with my hair, the better.

...again these are just some tips I've received. And I've actually indoctrined all of them and its helped to some degree. More than how people perceive me, I feel more professional - and I think that's more important/valuable than anything else.

 

[Syrah]

Keep your eyebrows well groomed!! Great advice!!!

I'd say this is the thing I pay a lot of attention to. you'd be surprised how much your eyebrows frame your face. It's worth the $7-15 every two weeks (Depending on where you go and where you live) to keep the 'brows in check.

 

[curlilocs]

I know you want to be taken seriously but enjoy looking young. I think focusing on an age appropriate wardrobe more than your hairstyle will be the most effective tactic in the workplace.

 

[RabiaElaine]

Keep your eyebrows well groomed!! Great advice!!!

I'd say this is the thing I pay a lot of attention to. you'd be surprised how much your eyebrows frame your face. It's worth the $7-15 every two weeks (Depending on where you go and where you live) to keep the 'brows in check.

Well shaped brows do SOOOOOOOOOOO much for your face, it's the cheapest thing I do to keep myself well groomed. I get my brows threaded every 2-3 weeks (I'm due to go this friday). You don't need to make them super thin or anything like that. I prefer a thicker longer brow that has a nice arch and is very neat. Threading has given me the best shape (I used to wax, but gave that up 2 years ago when I discovered threading).

 

[RabiaElaine]

Keep your eyebrows well groomed!! Great advice!!!

I'd say this is the thing I pay a lot of attention to. you'd be surprised how much your eyebrows frame your face. It's worth the $7-15 every two weeks (Depending on where you go and where you live) to keep the 'brows in check.

Well shaped brows do SOOOOOOOOOOO much for your face, it's the cheapest thing I do to keep myself well groomed (I pay 6 dollars). I get my brows threaded every 2-3 weeks (I'm due to go this friday). You don't need to make them super thin or anything like that. I prefer a thicker longer brow that has a nice arch and is very neat. Threading has given me the best shape (I used to wax, but gave that up 2 years ago when I discovered threading).

 

[so so chic]

I know exactly how you feel. I'm 24 years old and I ALWAYS have people asking me if I'm 16-18 years old. This REALLY pisses me off . I try and keep my eyebrows arched, wear heals, and everything else, but it doesn't seem to help. The funny thing is that I actually do look the same as when I was is high school and even middle school a little. When I was 13, I'd always get older guys trying to holla at me, and no one believed I was that young, they thought I was about 16.

 

[MissDiva]

Great Suggestions. I struggle with the same thing. People ask me all the time how old I am. They usually say I can't be any older than 19 and considering that all our prospects are older white males (usually in there mid 40's) it's a constant battle to be taken seriously.

 

[seeminglysweet]

Ive found that wearing a bit of makeup helped in making me look a little older. Nothing major, still conservative....but just a dab of lipstick and shadow..... it gives me older look, I think.

Thats great advice.

Im' 25 and I get mistaken for being 19 almost daily. I also agree with wearing a low bun with a side part or maybe doing the baggie method with a phony pony or a drawstring woven bun from the BSS.

Otherwise love your young face and let them fools know you can be young, beautiful, black AND a woman and still get the job done.

 

[blueabyss333]

Thats great advice.

Im' 25 and I get mistaken for being 19 almost daily. I also agree with wearing a low bun with a side part or maybe doing the baggie method with a phony pony or a drawstring woven bun from the BSS.

Otherwise love your young face and let them fools know you can be young, beautiful, black AND a woman and still get the job done.

I love that! I'm glad I'm not the only one. Some tips I'm going to take is wear parted low buns/drawstring buns, maintain those brows, and heels.

 

[deejoy]

I have the same problem. I'm 25 and I get mistaken for 17-19 when it's near time for a touchup and all the time when I did protective styling for half a year. It is a blessing to look young....in 30 years. Let's face it, nobody wants to look like a little girl at 25. I wear a lot of smokey eyeshadow looks and lipstick and blush and that helps. I was going to shoot somebody if one more teenager tried to hit on me. (I'm kidding)

 

[blueabyss333]

I have the same problem. I'm 25 and I get mistaken for 17-19 when it's near time for a touchup and all the time when I did protective styling for half a year. It is a blessing to look young....in 30 years. Let's face it, nobody wants to look like a little girl at 25. I wear a lot of smokey eyeshadow looks and lipstick and blush and that helps. I was going to shoot somebody if one more teenager tried to hit on me. (I'm kidding)

Girl, I was with my Little (Big Bro/Big Sis) and a teenage boy yelled out to me that my shades made me look older (compared to her) and I yelled back, "I am older!" Of course my hair was in an afro phony also.

I have a chubby cheeks, I don't think blush would look right on me.

 

[Blu217]

I'm 33, been in corporate for about 10 years and no one ever EVER thinks I'm older than my early 20s. I've been carded for R-rated movies, even. It's that bad sometimes!

All the above advice is good. You definitely need to keep your hair shiny, smooth and sleek. Keep your eyebrows done and definitely always dress as if you expect to be taken seriously. And carry yourself like a professional; stay on top of your game because everyone is always watching--especially when you think they're not.

You might make it a point of casually mentioning your age, if you don't mind sharing (you know how folks get tho; they'll want to start celebrating your birthday, buying cakes and cards and not everybody likes that mess).

I think competence gets you farther than almost anything else. Be dang good at what you do and you'll be fine.

 

[pet]

lolol!!! I thought I was the only one getting upset when people think I am 5-8 years younger than I am. Too funny...when I tell people that I am in grad school they give me this "you're that old?" look. Anyway, here is what I do to look older.

1) I am such a bun person it is really ridiculous. I do every type of bun that I can think of, then do a remix of different types of buns that I know. I wear french roles, because you don't see too many teenagers wearing that...plus I like them. I don't like my hair out very much, and I don't think I have to wear it out to look older. I think buns are the key, it gives you that "teacher" look. I will not be sacrificing my hair health just to look older...lol. Occasionally I will wear my hair out.

2) My style of dress is extremely different from most people, because a t-shirt and jeans to most people in society, is a blazer, dress pants/skirts, and 1.5-2" heels to me. I am constantly dressed, and people always think I am "going" somewhere. To top it all off, I am short, so I HAVE to wear the heels..my goodness. Blazers...can do wonders. It doesn't even have to be dressy, just decent looking.

3) I only wear shoulder bags, and they always have the "business" look. I like big leather bags, traditional colors, nothing outragous. People always say I look like a professor with my big leather bag....the funny thing is...that's exactly what I want to be.

4) I have a "I know what I am about" look and walk whether I am dressed or not...lol...so people know that I am not as young as I look. Look as if you know what you are doing.

And last but not least.....relax!! You look good for your age, and people will know that you are older once you open your mouth. It always kills me when people look at me with open eyes once I say something intelligent and mature. .....That's when they ask me my age...lol

 

[*ElleB]

This is exactly my issue. I'm 18 and look about 14 years old! Ppl always say be thankful, but it's frustrating at my age!

 

[MissFallon]

I know exactly how you feel. I'm 24 years old and I ALWAYS have people asking me if I'm 16-18 years old. This REALLY pisses me off . I try and keep my eyebrows arched, wear heals, and everything else, but it doesn't seem to help. The funny thing is that I actually do look the same as when I was is high school and even middle school a little. When I was 13, I'd always get older guys trying to holla at me, and no one believed I was that young, they thought I was about 16.

LOL I had the same problem. I looked 16 at 13 and didn't age since then. I'm 21 and still look 16. I wear my hair in a bun everyday, regular bun not the sock bun. I hate that I look young but I figure if I wear a suit everyday or dress up and look 16 I may get 19-20. Its also important to keep your eyebrows done cuz right now i need to get mine done and if i go outside in some jeans and a regular shirt i look like im in high school.

 

[so1913]

Girl, I feel your pain!

What I do is add a side part and do LIGHT makeup, powder, black mascara, groomed eyebrows, a brown toned eyeliner on top lid only, bronzer maybe and neutral lip gloss. I think it helps "age" me because I can definitely look like a kid sometimes, lol.

 

[Legend]

and want to wear buns/baggie method? I'm starting a new job working B2B and I want to make a serious or not-taken-lightheartedly impression when making presentations. Call me insecure- I know my sales skills are impressive- but I look (literally) 18 when I wear my hair up, and I'm 23 going on 24. I want to retain any length. I don't always want to wear rollersets so I think I'm going to start using a flat iron to wear my hair down and look more age appropriate.

First of all, Congratulations on your new job!!!


As everyone has indicated: it’s all about creating an image. Sometimes looking a little young can be used to your advantage; however, to look older, it’s important to make an investment in yourself. I’m going to repeat a couple of thing already in the thread (I have some time on my hands), so bear with me.

--Basically, protective styles are “no nonsense” styles, and people will take you seriously. Chignons, French braids, and other up-dos not only protects your length, but looks polished, so don't worry.

--Makeup really is the clincher. I’m 27, but everyone thinks I’m a college student when I don’t wear makeup. erplexed If you’re not sure what kind of appearance you wish to cultivate just yet, a good idea is to go to, say, a MAC counter a a department store and ask to try products for a “professional” look. They’ll give you a full-face makeover, if you ask, and you’ll get great tips and tricks of the trade. If you like the products, splurge purchase them (again, invest in yourself) or just get a couple you really, really like, then drug store the rest of them. Maybelline is my eyelashes' best friend!

--Eyebrows really are a focal point, so regular grooming is a must! There's just no getting around it. even the thinnest brows should be waxed or threaded into a good shape and filled in.

--Clothing must be a top-priority investment. First impressions are everything, and how you dress says a lot about who you are. Your shoes have to be on-point. If it’s in your budget, invest in some tailoring. Many local dry cleaners also have tailors on-site. Releasing a hem, or cinching the waist can make a HUGE difference. And if you’ve spent a lot of $$$ on your clothes, it’s worth it to make them look like they were designed for you.

--I am an advocate of staple accessories. Pearls really are the best. Real or fake, they are so classic, understated, and beautiful with any skin tone that they will add an air of maturity. Silver, platinum, or diamonds can look a little “girly” because they are “light” and “cool,” and gold a little too “heavy” because it’s a “warm” metal. Pearls have the lightness of silver, and the warmth of gold perfectly balanced, and goes with anything from Saturday’s jeans-n-tee to Monday’s Power Suit.

--Invest in a manicure at least once a month and keep your nail color neutral. I usually get an American manicure, which looks natural and really soft, or a sheer petal pink is a good choice. No designs unless it's for a special occasion. Speaking for myself my nails have to be on-point or else I’ll be fidgeting, hiding my hands, which is not good. A person who keeps their hands visible are perceived as confident and honest, and when you speak, people pay more attention when you use hand gestures to accent your words (not too much though).

--This may seem a little odd, but speaking in a well-modulated voice always makes people listen more and look less. They really concentrate on the content of your words. When I must speak at a meeting, I am extra-careful that my voiced is pitched in a tone that does not go above middle-C, I take extra care with my diction and annunciation, and I think twice as hard before I speak. This all takes practice, of course. If you have a naturally high voice, speak a little softer than you think you need to. Just as a final note on speaking, I regularly work on my vocabulary skills. A good command of a language speaks louder than words. Pun intended!!!

--Having good posture (poise) helps tremendously. Practice pulling your shoulders back (pulling your shoulder blades together) and--ya’ll don’t laugh--walking with a book on your head. That actually works!! Practice in an average heel height you wear for work. If you walk leading with your pelvis you’ll look very confident. Believe me, whatever body part you “lead” with makes a difference in the way you’re perceived--something Method actors have known for years.

--A final bit of advice is knowing proper etiquette for any situation. I have a handy reference I keep at work and home to consult before entering new situations. There are many books on the market to read, but a good place to start for quick reference is How To Be A Lady A Contemporary Guide To Common Courtesy by Candace Simpson-Giles. It's not a great book, but I find it useful. Or just search Amazon for many other choices.

Using little tricks like this helps people not only see as you older, but understand that you are older than you look. My only problem when I use these tricks myself is I’ve got people thinking I’m 10 years older than I actually am.


HTH!!!


OK...too much time on my hands.........

 

[misspriss]

I get this too-I'm 22 and I look like I'm 16. Not cute. I really like all the advice everyone gave. I've found most of it to be true-light makeup, clothing, and a generally polished look makes a world of difference. It is annoying though that I still have to try so hard to look legal when I actually am now .