At 40, Better Than Ever

While most women think they look best in their 20s, that isn't always the case. In fact, many women look and feel much better in their 40s.

And Lesley Jane Seymour, editor-in-chief of Marie Claire magazine, which profiled some of these 40–somethings, visits The Early Show to talk about it.

Whether it's a heightened level of confidence, a better diet and exercise regimen, a newly single life, or a healthier body image, these fabulous 40-somethings look forward to getting older.

"Women come to terms with ho they are inside," says Seymour. "They get some life experiences and realize that beauty is only skin-deep. It's a chance to see that the cute adorable girls who were the hits in sixth and seventh grade have aged poorly. Women realize there's a reason why they looked that way, and later they are like a vintage wine," says Seymour.

What these women found in themselves in their 40s, she adds, is a strong sense of self. They might have achieved success in their job or relationships that make them happy and more relaxed.

"Some have careers and some are moms. I think that women become comfortable with the choices they made. You've experienced life by 40 and you realize there were 12 roads to go down and I went down this road and made these decisions," she says.

In their 30s, Seymour says, women go through a time of growth and maturity. It is a good transition period. "Things are coming together but not until your 40s are they totally together."

The following is Seymour's advice for women in their 20s who are not 100 percent happy with themselves.

• Keep an eye on who you are and keep what is beautiful about you and hone those attributes which eventually become you.
• As life goes on, you'll see images of beauty - expand your horizons and see where you fit in.
• There are all different shades and striving to be a perfect 10 is over.

• Do some soul searching and ask yourself: Why am I not happy.
• If you are unhappy, get to the root of what's bugging you. The world is open to you as being more than a surface person and you have to get comfortable with that. If you are not happy at 40, then look inside and put all the demons to sleep.
• Slow down and get rid of the people you don't like. You need to move on.
  At 40, life becomes a lot clearer. You realize "hey I'm not going to live forever."

Seymour was appointed editor-in-chief of the U.S. edition of Marie Claire in June 2001. Previously, she served as editor-in-chief of Redbook magazine, another Hearst publication.

Prior to joining the Hearst Corporation in 1998, Seymour was editor-in-chief of YM from March 1997 to November 1998. She was also beauty director at Glamour from 1993-1997. She worked at Vogue from 1982 to 1992 in various capacities, including senior editor of books, fashion, features editor, editor of Vogue's "Upfront" section (which she originated), as well as contributing editor. Seymour began her journalistic career at Women's Wear Daily.

Seymour is the author of two books: "On the Edge: 100 Years of Vogue" (Random House, 1992) and "I Wish My Parents Understood" (Freudlich/Penguin, 1985). She has written for Harper's BAZAAR, Working Woman, Seventeen, Self, Savvy, The New York Times Sunday Magazine, Travel & Leisure, Fitness, Mademoiselle, McCall's, and Vanity Fair, among other publications.

Seymour is a graduate of Duke University. She lives in Larchmont, N.Y., with her husband Jeffrey, and their two children.