Bring on the 30s!

Women have found the perfect reason to celebrate being in their late 20s or early 30s, finds Aakanksha Naval-Shetye
Women are known to guard their ages as fiercely as they guard their jewels. But a recent study might just make them want to let out their most well-guarded secret. And not without celebration if the women are nearing their 30s, as according to a recent study, the prime age for beauty in women is 31 years old.In fact, the survey claimed that the fresh-faced look was rejected in favour of women in their late 20s and early 30s. We spoke to our celebs here for their takes and not surprisingly, most of them agree as well.
“Yes, I do think that women in that age-group look their beautiful best,” says actress Chitrangda Singh. And it’s not only nowadays, she adds. “Take a look at how our moms looked in their late 20s and you will agree, that though they have always looked beautiful, there was something far more attractive about the way they looked in that age,” she says.
Model and yum mum Alecia Raut too admits to feeling and looking better now than she did in her early 20s. “I truly believe that women are like wine. They only get better with age. Women in the late 20s are definitely more sexier than the ones in the early 20s. A lot of it comes from the way they handle themselves. They are more assertive of their choices and this confidence makes them attractive. Also I think the maturity adds grace to our face and our features too become well-defined.”
Cosmetologist Dr Jamuna Pai offers an explanation. “Women in the late 20s and early 30s are blessed by nature in more ways than one. The estrogen levels in a woman’s body peak around this time and the result is a healthy, naturally-moisturised, glowing skin and lovely hair. The women are rightfully said to be in their primes when in their 30s.”
Renowned gynaecologist Dr Duru Shah couldn’t agree more. “In her 30s a woman is sexually more comfortable with her partner. Besides the other hormones that were extremely active from the adolescence right up to the early 20s also settle down. Women usually have had their kids and are comfortable with their bodies too. All these factors contribute to making her feel good and subsequently look good too,” says Dr Shah.
A fact also vouched strongly by actress Sonali Bendre, who despite her age and momma status continues to make heads turn. “I think what makes women seem more attractive in this age group is the fact that they are finally comfortable about their bodies. Instead of worrying about what others think about them, they focus on looking good for themselves also. I think this subtle confidence and attitude reflects in the way they carry themselves too and adds to their charm. Also by this age, they are in a comfortable zone, both personally and professionally,” she says.
And it’s not only the women, who agree. Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar points out that most of the top actresses in Bollywood today are in their late 20s. “I think many of them look far more beautiful today than they did a few years back. Look at an Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan or Priyanka Chopra or even Kareena Kapoor Some of their most interesting work has been in recent times. They bring a certain maturity now, which adds to their allure on screen,” says Kunal. It’s even true for the age of models on TV. Ad filmmaker Kunal Shivdasani says, “Women models in the late 20s appear more mature and convincing than their younger counterparts. They are a better bet, unless it’s a star we are talking about, for whom age may not be a factor anymore.”
But all the PYTs in their early 20s or hotties at 40s need not lose heart, as many believe that age has actually little or nothing to do with the looks.
Says filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor, “Any woman can always be beautiful at any age, as long as she embraces her inner person and age gracefully.”
Hottie Malaika Arora Khan feels that age adds a certain class, elegance and grace. “Women are more sure of themselves and that confidence and attitude makes them more appealing. They definitely also look and feel sexier. The way they carry themselves and handle themselves is far more classy than women in the early 20s. Besides, all the years of experience just adds to their allure.”
According to image consultant Rukshana Eisa too, you look your best, only when you feel your best. “I believe that with age comes beauty. A woman may or may not be in that age group, but if she’s confident about herself, she’ll look beautiful. This is also largely depends on the circumstances and one’s life experiences,” says Eisa. But she does admit that the late 20s and the early 30s do have a certain charm. “You are no more a gawky girl and you are not an aunty either, so to speak. I guess it is the age when a woman truly comes into her own.”
For fashion photographer Vikram Bawa too, age is just a number. “I have seen some of the models look their sexy best well into their 40s. Where as, some young ones have great bodies, but you wouldn’t call them sexy. I think it all comes from the head. A woman who is more aware of her sexuality, is more confident and carries herself self-assuringly is more attractive, no matter what the age,” he says.
‘Age brings a certain
maturity to women, that adds to their allure on screen’
- Madhur Bhandarkar
‘A woman who carries
herself self-assuringly is more attractive, no matter what the age’
- Vikram Bawa
‘Any woman can always be beautiful at any age, as long as she embraces her inner person’
- Abhishek Kapoor
‘Any woman can always be beautiful at any age, as long as she embraces her inner person’- Abhishek Kapoor
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