Simple ways to look younger when you are 40

Women want to look younger and more attractive as they age. If you do not have the bank account to back cosmetic plastic surgery or the desire to go under the knife, there are still ways to achieve a more youthful look.

A woman's hair "is her crowning glory". Keep split ends trimmed and hair healthy. Hair color should be kept within the middle of the spectrum. If you go too dark it makes you look older, too light and it will wash out your facial features. If you are a natural brunette try lightening it a shade or two. Tow headed blonds might darken theirs a bit for a warmer look.

Should you wash that gray right out of your hair? The decision to dye your gray hairs or let them be is a personal choice. If you have dark hair the stark contrast can have an aging affect on how it appears. Women with lighter hair or warmer shades such as various tones of red may be able to get away with the gray look more easily. Often the gray can appear to be highlights rather than a sign of aging.

Moisturize! It is never too late to start using facial moisturizer. Keeping your skin hydrated decreases visible wrinkles and helps to avoid that alligator texture. Smoother skin simply looks younger. Hopefully you were careful with sun exposure in your youth. Damage from the sun can have an irreversible affect on your skin.

Toss out some of your makeup. Some women try to camouflage signs of aging by applying more makeup. This has the opposite affect! The time may have come to get rid of that black eyeliner and replace it with dark brown. The same goes for your mascara. The darker your makeup the more it shows your age. Try to go for a more natural look as that will be much more flattering.

Dress accordingly. This does not mean that you have to stop wearing that sexy red dress or firm fitting jeans. There is a line between trying too hard and enjoying youthful clothing. Choose outfits that are not overly revealing and will flatter your figure. Our bodies change with the passage of time and that shirt that made you look hot 20 years ago might not be the best choice for today.

With a few simple tricks and keeping your focus on a "natural" look, it is easy to erase a few years from your face.