I'm 35 and Get 5 Hours Sleep, But Friends Think I Look 27—Here Are My Tricks

For as long as I can remember I’ve passed as being a few years younger than my actual age. When I was 22 I was mistaken for being 16, and on my 27th birthday I was asked for ID when buying alcohol. Why am I telling you this? Well, since becoming a parent, I’ve wondered if I have still retained my youthfulness. I can’t deny that there are now bags and dark circles under my eyes when they weren’t before. As I type this, I feel very tired. The sort of tired that’s only caused by long-term sleep deprivation. And what were once tiny, almost non-existent lines on my forehead are now becoming deep grooves. 

Now firmly in my 30s (I’m 35), I decided to canvas my colleagues to see how old they thought I was. Over Slack I asked them how old they thought I looked and asked them to be genuinely honest. All of them said between 27 and 29 (I promise I didn’t pay them). I was, of course, over the moon that they said I looked so young. I maintain that it’s thanks to a mixture of good genes and a pretty strict beauty routine, I’ve been about to keep my skin in check. While I can’t do much about the former, I can tell you all about the latter. 

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(Image credit:Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing )

Before I start, however, I think it’s important to acknowledge a few lifestyle factors that impact my skin. I don’t regularly drink alcohol, I don’t smoke and I also run a couple of times a week, plus I’m often, quite literally, running around after my toddler. I mainly drink black coffee, water, and an occasional can of coke at the weekend (I know, I’m wild). My diet is pretty good but I have a sweet tooth and I eat meat (but rarely red). 

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(Image credit:Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing )

Okay, so now that’s out of the way, I have two main rules: always take your makeup off and always wear SPF, even in the winter. As much as I’d love to look tanned and glowy all year round, I very much fake it if I want to give my skin a less pallid shade (currently I’m enjoying using the drops from Isle of Paradise). 

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(Image credit:Best Knockoff Luxury Clothing )

Ready to find out my whole skincare routine? Keep scrolling for everything you need to know. 

EVERYDAY 

TWICE / WEEK 

ONCE / WEEK

MAKEUP

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This story was published at an earlier time and has since been updated.

Elinor Block