This study is part of PhD research that has demonstrated that older women are underrepresented in many forms of mass media, including Australian women’s magazines, and when portrayed are frequently shown in stereotyped ways. Magazines are frequently consumed by older women, however there has been little research in Australia about how older women feel about the ways they are depicted and if this affects their health, how they think about themselves and their behaviours. A convenience sample of 14 women aged 65 and over residing in Australia who were current and/or former magazine readers participated in in-depth semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked about their magazine consumption and how they felt about older women’s portrayal in the magazines they read, including whether magazines influenced their self-esteem, consumption and health behaviours. Emerging themes include participants expressing feelings of invisibility, dislike of narrow and often extreme portrayals, and media portrayals lacking relevance to their experiences. Some used magazines for relaxation, information, especially on health, and engaging with fashion. Many participants viewed themselves as savvy consumers of media and believed this insight had come with age, however some disengaged with media and magazines they felt did not represent them. Older women are often unhappy about the ageism they see present in media representations of them. Ageism is increasingly recognised as having negative health impacts. Exploring ways that ageism manifests in media representations and how this can compound the effects of ageism in other realms is important to the health and wellbeing of older women.