Sorry, Mel Gibson, This Is What Women Really Want

What Women Really Want To Be Complimented On

what women want
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It's hard not to crack a smile when someone takes special notice of how your new jeans show off your svelte figure or remarks on how chic your newly highlighted hair looks. Why? Because everyone loves a good compliment. And in our beauty-obsessed society, many would assume that the most coveted of compliments are ones that deal with weight. Right? Turns out, what women really want to hear is that they are looking especially youthful—60 percent of women surveyed in a new study said that being told they look young is the compliment that gives them the biggest boost in confidence, while 41 percent wished they actually looked younger.

According to the survey, 62 percent of women are taking proactive measures to prevent premature aging through the use of anti-aging products. The results also revealed the peak age for stress about their appearance is 39 and a half, just months before her 40th birthday. So if you know a woman with the big 4-0 coming up, be sure to tell her that she doesn't look a day over 30—apparently, she may need the reassurance.

Photo via Getty Images

Diana Pearl
Editor

I'm an Associate Editor at the Business of Fashion, where I edit and write stories about the fashion and beauty industries. Previously, I was the brand editor at Adweek, where I was the lead editor for Adweek's brand and retail coverage. Before my switch to business journalism, I was a writer/reporter at PEOPLE.com, where I wrote news posts, galleries and articles for PEOPLE magazine's website. My work has been published on TheAtlantic.com, ELLE.com, MarieClaire.com, PEOPLE.com, GoodHousekeeping.com and in Every Day with Rachael Ray. It has been syndicated by Cosmopolitan.com, TIME.com, TravelandLeisure.com and GoodHousekeeping.com, among other publications. Previously, I've worked at VOGUE.com, ELLE.com, and MarieClaire.com.