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This is a question I have been meaning to ask for ages. I am in the fortunate position of being able to genuinely look quite a lot younger than my actual age but when I go to auditions for younger parts I never know how much to try emphasize this with the way I dress, look etc. The main debate I always have with myself is what to do with my hair as wearing it down is generally a more flattering look for me but a pony tail has younger connotations. I know this will vary from audition to audition, but does anyone have any advice as to which they think I should prioritise in general?

I think you need to make your decisions on a case by case (role by role) basis. Sometimes pony tail might be the right choice, sometimes not. The might well ask you to put your hair up or back at the casting anyway if they want to see that "look". Quite often you can compromise by having it off your face but still showing the length. I doubt that it would ever be the make or break on the casting anyway.

If it is screen work (which it presumably is?) then I would always try to choose something that just has a hint of the character you are going for. It's sometimes better/easier to think of it as not dressing against the character: (if it's a Victorian child, don't wear jeans - if it's 21st century homeless girl, don't go in sequins!). I wouldn't worry too much about "dressing younger" - just don't dress "older". I think a more important thing may be the make-up issue. If you are going for a young part then I would keep the make-up to an absolute minimum - or none at all.

If it's stage, then I don't think dress/hairstyle matters as much. I think directors like to see actors "ready to work" at auditions - so I would go in whatever you are comfortable in.

I'm in the same position and I tend to vary it by casting, I've tried tons of different looks, and although my hair is naturally straight I usually curl my hair as I know this brings my age down by about three years, and of course still shows the length. Also, as my headshots show me with straight hair I feel that this means the casting director gets to see two different looks for me.

I usually just dress normally if it's just a normal character, unless the casting director states otherwise. E.g if I was going for a Victorian look, I'd have my hair in plaits and try to avoid clothes such a jeans. If I had an audition for a shabby character who was rough and tomboyish I would have my hair up in a simple pony tail and not wear my best clothes! A while ago I had an audition in which I was required to wear school uniform and look about three years younger. Remembering back to when I was about 14 I realised I'd never worn my hair down to school at that age, so I went for a curly haired side plait!

Make-up is a hard one for me, I usually just put on a little concealer if I'm having a bad skin day - and that's it. I hardly ever wear make-up to castings because I've heard casting directors find it easier to visualise you with make-up than without if you've got it plastered on! However, I know a lot of people that do wear make-up to auditions where they have to look younger and have got the roles over me, so I wouldn't say it is a huge factor, I think the casting director would know if you're right for role regardless of how much make-up you have on... especially for film.

I find it really fun to improvise and try out different looks. My parents know me so well that they find it hard to give their opinion on whether a certain look makes me look any younger, which is why my friends are always a great help. I'll usually get ready for my casting and then send them off a quick picture and wait to see if they think I should change/alter anything, and how old they would place me. Works well sometimes when I'm really lost as to how to look!

aspiringactress - that all sounds really great, but I just wanted to pick up on one thing you mentioned.

I don't think, as a general rule, that it is a good thing to change your look from your casting photo. Of course, a slight change is fine but I would never deliberately go in with a different look so that the CD saw two versions - one in the photo and one in the room. A CD calls you in from your photo and will hope/expect you to walk in looking like your photo. If you deliberately change your look to give them a "choice" then you could well be shooting yourself in the foot.

Hi pg, thank you for letting me know - I see loads of your helpful comments on here!

The thing is I look much older with my hair straight than I do when it's curly, so it's always a bit of a dilemma on which to choose, even for my headshots I really couldn't decide, I just have two really different looks defined by how I have my hair! Still, I'll take your advice on board and remember that for future auditions... although I wouldn't say the change is DRASTIC, you can still tell it's me from my headshots, definitely!