These 8 Ladies Over 40 Just Shut Down Every Cliché I've Ever Heard About Aging

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I don't know who needs to hear this, but the youth obsession is played out. As a beauty editor with access to the best everything, I'm certainly tempted to reach for the serums and skin treatments that promise to keep me looking younger, longer. But when I really stop to think about it, the constant messaging that younger is better is damaging, problematic, and simply not true. I call bullshit!

Of course, youth has its perks (at 31, I'm now officially a member of the "My Knees Crack When I Sit Down" club), but with every passing year, I become acutely more aware that with age comes wisdom, grace, and a special brand of beauty that you can only earn by living long enough to show a few fine lines and wrinkles. I'm tired of people being shocked when women over 40 are considered among the most gorgeous. Some of the most beautiful humans I know are in their 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond. (My 62-year-old mom and 90-year-old grandma being two of them!)

In fact, my Instagram feed is stacked with ladies in their 40s, 50s, and 60s who make achieving those precious years look so insanely good. I decided to slide into some of those ladies' DMs to get their raw, unfiltered thoughts on aging, how they take care of themselves, and what they do to stay feeling their best. And, hey, if glowy skin and shiny hair happen to come along with it, then so be it! Age is just a number, and these eight ladies are proof of that. Ahead, check out the tips and products helping these gorgeous women age gracefully.

Norma Alcala, 69, Retired, Mother, Grandmother, and Dog Mom

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(Image credit: @platinumpunk)

Words of wisdom: "I don't believe that you have to do/not do, wear/not wear certain things at certain ages. I think each of us has the right to design our lives according to our individual preferences, including our body and spirit without trying to adhere to parameters established by culture throughout time. If you find a benefit for yourself (physical or mental) you should feel free to try, experiment, invent, and modify. Have fun!"

Norma's Go-To Products

Eugenia Russell Hargrove, 65, Senior Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist

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(Image credit: @theeageofgrace)

Words of wisdom: "My mother and grandmother taught me at an early age, the importance of a regular and consistent skincare regiment. However, I strayed away from self-care as a mom focusing on my children. So I would tell my younger self not to neglect my skincare routine and to go to the dermatologist earlier, in my 30s, instead of 40s once I had adult acne."

Eugenia's Go-To Products

Lynn Shabinsky, 58, Yoga Teacher,

Lifestyle Model

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(Image credit: @whitehairwisdom)

Words of wisdom: "Every body is different in size, shape, and color. When you find beauty from within, the confidence will radiate out of you. Let go of the need to compare and let your true light shine."

Lynn's Go-To Products

Carla Kemp, 57, Model, Personal Assistant

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(Image credit: @fabnfitbycarla)

Words of wisdom: "I don't subscribe to the notion that grey hair makes you look older. If your hair is healthy, styled and you exude confidence, people will admire your hair. Having grey hair is on an upswing. Sometimes dying grey hair can make you look older thus defeating the purpose. I think it's beautiful and super sexy!"

Carla's Go-To Products

Caroline Labouchere, 56, Model

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(Image credit: @carolinelabouchere)

Words of wisdom: "Visit a good consultant dermatologist to get a simple, effective lifelong skincare routine. Don't waste money on products that aren't going to work long term and don't put your face in the sun! Learn to listen to your body so that you know when something is not right."

Caroline's Go-To Products

Sandrine Picard, 53, Teacher

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(Image credit: @grey_so_what)

Words of wisdom: "Do what you want because whatever you do, people will criticize anyway. So keep doing what you like doing, wear what you like wearing, and show people how wrong they are!" 

Sandrine's Go-To Products

Carla Martin, 48, Model, Silver Hair Ambassador

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(Image credit: @silvergirlmx)

Words of wisdom: "Enjoy everything, be yourself, embrace your uniqueness and stand out. Care less of what others think about the things that make you happy. Also, use a moisturizer every day and protect your skin from the sun. A tan looks great for a couple of days, but it can damage your skin in the long run."

Carla's Go-To Products

Trina Albus, 45, Founder of Magenta Agency, 40+ Skincare Creator

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(Image credit: @trinaalbus)

Words of wisdom: "I don't believe in preventative Botox. My YouTube channel features alternatives to Botox and filler, including skincare and beauty devices like microcurrent and radiofrequency. I don't hate on injectables—I just don't think they should be the first thing you try. So many younger people are getting injectables, and I want everyone to know there are other options! I don't agree that when you reach a certain age or see your first fine line that you need to get injectables. There are so many other things you can do to rejuvenate your skin."

Trina's Go-To Products

Associate Beauty Editor

Courtney Higgs is a Cancer sun, Libra rising beauty enthusiast with about six years of experience in the editorial space. She was previously Who What Wear's associate beauty editor after spending many years working on the West Coast edit team at InStyle Magazine. She graduated from California State University, Northridge, with a BA in communication studies and pivoted to editorial after spending her college years working in the legal field. Her beauty philosophy is simple: She believes there are no wrong answers and that discovering our favorite beauty products and rituals is a journey, not a sprint. When she's not geeking out over products, she can be found adventuring around L.A. with her fiancé; watching reality TV with their French bulldog, Bernie Mac; or relating way too hard to astrology memes.