Gen Xer Has Crucial Message for Young Women About What Aging Looks Like

Newsweek

09-05-2025

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A Generation X woman wants to show young women what it actually looks like to age, as she told Newsweek that society has lost sight of what it means to get older naturally.
Licensed aesthetician and content creator Claudia Fabian shared a video on Instagram (@thebeautydebut) in which she said that many people have "forgotten what an aging face looks like." Indeed, the 57-year-old expressed her regret that younger generations, particularly women, resort to cosmetic procedures to conceal any signs of aging.
The Gen Xer (people born between 1965 and 1980) wants to show people that aging isn't something to dread or fear. It is simply a part of life, and Fabian told Newsweek that she hopes to show people that your "value doesn't change with age."
During the clip, Fabian, from Las Vegas, Nevada, proudly showed off the changes in her appearance as she has gotten older. She certainly doesn't shy away from aging, as she says it means you're getting a "full life experience."
Claudia Fabian, 57, explains why younger people have forgotten what it looks like to age.
Claudia Fabian, 57, explains why younger people have forgotten what it looks like to age.
@thebeautydebut / Instagram
Fabian said: "I think that beauty marketing has always perpetuated that youth is the goal, and our society has enforced this by an ageist double standard. Men are allowed to age, but women are not. Women have a tremendous pressure to stay 25 forever.
"I think we make too big of a deal out of it. Aging is neither good or bad—it just is. At 57, I don't love everything about getting older, but then again, I didn't love everything about being young," she continued.
While Fabian said people of all ages have forgotten what it is to age, it seems more prolific among younger generations. They've grown up in a technological era in which social media is ever-present, and Fabian added that this has normalized procedures including fillers and Botox.
In 2023, an estimated 25.4 million minimally invasive cosmetic procedures were performed in the U.S., according to Statista. Botox, which is the least-expensive nonsurgical treatment, was the most prevalent, with over 9.4 million procedures.
But with more Gen X influencers like herself, Fabian hopes to counter that narrative.
"Women are shamed if they get cosmetic procedures, and shamed when they don't. It's a no-win situation. Now, if we see an over-40 beauty creator, we just assume she's been 'fixed' in some way," Fabian said.
She continued: "Although that's changing with many over-40 beauty creators who are taking up space and taking the stigma out of aging. There shouldn't be shame in aging—not all of us are trying to look 30."
After sharing her message on social media, the Instagram video went viral with over 287,000 views and more than 15,600 likes at the time of writing.
If people gain anything from her video, Fabian said she hopes they'll pause for a moment and think about any "internalized ageist thoughts" they might have. They shouldn't be afraid of getting older, and they certainly shouldn't let that impact the choices they make.
Fabian regularly shares videos on social media that aim to inspire confidence in women of all ages, particularly those over 50.
She said: "I believe aging allows you to become the best version of yourself. Each decade gives us gifts, and I choose to celebrate and see the beauty of this stage in life. I also want women, especially younger women, to know that they can choose to simply age in peace."
With over 1,200 comments on the viral video so far, many Instagram users hailed Fabian for offering such a positive perspective.
One comment reads: "You are such an inspiration to all women!"
Another person wrote: "We forget that aging is a gift."
A third Instagram user replied: "Embracing self is so beautiful and powerful."
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