Being asked for ID is a rite of passage in your twenties, but this mum-of-two continues to get the request due to her age-defying looks.
An English mum is often mistaken for her daughter’s sister, with people assuming she is 20 years younger than her actual age because of her youthful looks. Veena Nayyar, 48, from Berkshire, often leaves her daughter Angeli, 28, rolling her eyes when strangers assume they are siblings. But despite her age-defying looks the semipermanent makeup artist says there is no “secret” to her looks, just “good genetics”. “People are always shocked when I reveal my age,” Ms Nayyar said. “They often think I am at least 10 years younger. I am quite petite so people naturally assume I am younger.”
And while she loves the compliments, the 125cm mum-of two admitted it can be “annoying” when she gets ID’d for booze. “I’ve lost count of the number of times I have had to prove my age with ID,” Ms Nayyar said. “People always assume Angeli and I are sisters which I think is great but she finds it embarrassing.” It’s not just Ms Nayyar who gets mistaken for being much younger – strangers often think her daughter is much younger than her 28 years.
“Angeli looks really young for her age too – we are quite lucky as we have great genetics. She has been asked why she isn’t at school, even at the age of 28,” she said. Ms Nayyar has steered clear of surgery and cosmetic enhancements apart from getting Botox once in her forehead in 2018. Instead she credits daily moisturising and sunscreen for keeping her looking youthful.
“I have always moisturised since my teenage years,” Ms Nayyar said. “I suffer from eczema so it is very important to keep on top of it by moisturising four times per day.”
Her biggest piece of advice to other women was to switch up your beauty products as you get older and your skincare needs change.
“I think a common mistake for older women is they stick to one foundation because it worked in their 20s and 30s,” Ms Nayyar said. The mum said she had struggled with dry skin a few years ago and decided to take a drastic step as a result. “My skin was especially dry when I went through the menopause at 46,” she said. “Although I don’t look old, the menopause certainly made me feel old. “I opted to go on hormone replacement therapy at 47 which was almost magic as it helped my skin and hair.”
But while Ms Nayyar is careful to use products that enhance her youthful looks, she also believes in a holistic approach. “It isn’t just about the beauty products, it is about mental health. I make sure I am happy to avoid eczema flare-ups and breakouts,” she said. “I won’t lie and say I follow a super strict diet and drink a lot of water because I don’t. “But with age, I have become more mindful of what I am putting in my body.”
