The polish shades that make your hands look younger - BeautyEQ (2024)

BEAUTY IS WHATEVER GIVES JOY

Today a regular mani is not only a practice in self-care; it helps you look polished and well put together. But before you choose a colour, know this: Some shades can draw attention to ageing hands; others have the opposite effect, making your hands look younger in seconds. Editor Trudi Brewer updates your nail shade choices and shares the best shape.

You may think delicate shades like sheer nudes or soft pinks would do the trick, but as it turns out, natural hues are so close to your skin tone, they can show up veins, wrinkles and uneven tone on your hands, which can accentuate your imperfections. Instead, try grabbing attention on your nails and not your hands. Here is a guide to the mani that will suit your nails and not your hands.

the colour Code

To help your hands look younger, orange or peach-based hues work best," says Colette Keenan, butter LONDON national field manager. "Orange is a youthful, bright and uplifting colour, and it helps draw attention away from signs of ageing hands with age spots, visible veins and wrinkling skin," says celebrity manicurist Deborah Lippmann from her eponymously named polish brand. What's more, Keenan adds polish with orange undertones, which helps bring out your skin's natural glow.

OPI Infinite Shine Rust and Relaxation Rust and Relaxation, $23. JINsoon Nail Lacquer in Pop Orange, $35. Kester Black Imperfect Coral Nail Polish, $30.

Essie Nail Polish in Frillie Lillies, $19.

What colour makes fingers look slimmer?

Sheer pink is best. While Lippmann says, a clean beige can also slim the hands. For those with medium skin tones: Lippmann likes more opaque, full-coverage, yellow-based taupe, which works well.

CND Vinylux in Backyard Nuptials, $23. OPI Nail Lacquer, Me, Myself and OPI, Pink in Bio, $23. Essie Nail Polish in Muchi Muchi, $19. Revlon Colorstay Gel Envy in Beginners Luck, $22.

What nail Colour goes with everything?

You may not think brown is a crowd-pleaser, but it is one of the most versatile nail polish shades. From milk chocolate for casual wear during the day or coffee for an after-five look, depending on the shade, it’s versatile and a brilliant colour for autumn.

CND Vinylux in Petal Party, $23. Butter London Patent Shine 10x Nails Lacquer in Yummy Mummy, $18. GUCCI Vernis À Ongles Nail Polish in Annabel Rose, $62. Essie Nail Polish in Keep Branching Out, $19.

SPF Solution

To keep your hands looking youthful even without any polish, Essie manicurist Michelle Saunders says it's always a good idea to wear sunscreen on the tops of your hands. "You wear sunscreen on your face daily for sun protection and wrinkle reduction, so why wouldn't you be doing the same for your hands." They are one of the first places sun-induced damage appears; think of driving with your hands on the car wheel - over time, it becomes noticeable.

ULTRA VIOLETTE Extreme Screen Hydrating Body & Hand Skinscreen SPF 50+, $40. Supergoop Hand Screen, $26. Hello Sunday The One For Your Hands Hand Cream SPF30, $19. Eucerin Hyaluron-Filler + Elasticity Correcting Hand Cream SPF30, $30.

Shape Shifting

While many of us don't give the shape of our nails a second thought, Lippmann says you should start. "An oval-shaped nail helps fingers look longer and, in turn, makes hands look younger," she explains. Another grooming tip from the pro: pay attention to your cuticles and use regular cuticle oil to prevent dry skin. "Be sure to keep your fingers well-manicured," she says. "Clean and manicured nails with or without polish help your hands look more youthful."

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The polish shades that make your hands look younger - BeautyEQ (2024)

FAQs

The polish shades that make your hands look younger - BeautyEQ? ›

If you have a lighter skin tone, the color would differ depending on how fair your skin is, but corals, greens, and red would be good for older hands because it draws attention to the nails. If you have darker toned skin, choose shades of orange, gold, and grey.

What polish is best for older hands? ›

If you have a lighter skin tone, the color would differ depending on how fair your skin is, but corals, greens, and red would be good for older hands because it draws attention to the nails. If you have darker toned skin, choose shades of orange, gold, and grey.

What nail color is best for hands? ›

If you have light skin, choose shades of white, champagne, nude or sand. If you have darker toned skin, choose shades of cocoa, cappuccino, taupe or coffee. Chocolate and shades of grayish-brown are youthful and trendy, but be wary of dark browns as they can be very harsh and unforgiving.

What color polish makes fingers look longer? ›

Nude and pastel colors are a great choice for short nails, as they actively make them look longer. Because they visually appear like they're continuing your finger line, they make your fingers look thinner and slimmer. For best results, use a color that's a shade lighter than your skin tone.

How to make your hands look younger? ›

Here's what dermatologists recommend:
  1. Protect your hands from the sun. This is essential if you want to maintain the results you see after treatment. ...
  2. Wear gloves while cleaning and gardening. ...
  3. Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. ...
  4. Keep appointments for maintenance treatments.
Jul 17, 2023

What color polish makes hands look younger? ›

Lighter Tones: Choose lighter shades of any color, such as pastels or light grays. Lighter tones help to brighten the hands and create a more youthful appearance. Sheer and Natural Finishes: Consider using sheer or natural finishes, like a sheer pink or a clear coat.

What can I do so my hands don't look so old? ›

What will keep my hands looking young?
  1. Moisturize. Don't let your hands get dried out. ...
  2. Protect your skin and nails. Wear cotton-lined gloves when gardening or when cleaning with harsh soap or chemicals. ...
  3. Exfoliate. ...
  4. Wear sunscreen. ...
  5. Eat a healthy diet.
Apr 22, 2024

What color nails makes you more attractive? ›

Red conveys a direct attraction and is associated with sensuality and erotic interest. Black, one of the favorite colors, is considered particularly trendy and is therefore also associated with attractiveness.

What color nail polish goes with everything? ›

Depending on the hue and personal inclination, blue nail polish can work with almost anything. It can be a versatile choice that complements many different outfits and styles. Lighter blue hues, such as pastel or baby blue, go nicely with neutral tones and pastel colors to create a delicate, feminine style.

What color nail polish makes you look older? ›

Dark polishes, particularly stark black, run the risk of making mature hands appear less youthful, especially when it comes to cool-toned shades like deep navy, bluish reds, and wine purples. These exacerbate any skin dullness or dark spots caused by sun damage that you might be worried about.

How do I make my hands look pretty? ›

5 Important Tips for Your Beautiful Hands and Nails:
  1. Step 1: Avoid washing or soaking your hands in hot or iced water: ...
  2. Step 2: Apply sunscreen on your hands: ...
  3. Step 3: Daily Hand Care: ...
  4. Step 4: Moisturize your nails: ...
  5. Step 5: Moisturize, Moisturize and Moisturize:

What nail polish colors make you look rich? ›

These Are the 6 Nail Polish Colours That Make My Outfits Look...
  • Burgundy. (Image credit: @harrietwestmoreland) ...
  • Navy Blue. (Image credit: @harrietwestmoreland) ...
  • Cloudy Grey. (Image credit: @harrietwestmoreland) ...
  • Taupe. (Image credit: @betina_goldstein) ...
  • Forest Green. (Image credit: @harrietwestmoreland) ...
  • Sheer White.
May 2, 2024

How to look 20 years younger naturally? ›

8 Ways to Maintain a Youthful Appearance
  1. Stay out of the sun. While it's true that the sun isn't the only factor in the overall appearance of your skin, it does play a huge role. ...
  2. Drink plenty of water. ...
  3. Get some ZZZs. ...
  4. Rub it in. ...
  5. Eat a diet rich in plants. ...
  6. Get moving. ...
  7. Establish a good routine. ...
  8. Limit alcohol and caffeine.

How to get wrinkle free hands? ›

Hydration is key

One tip to keep your hands hydrated is to wear gloves on cold days, to stop them becoming dry. Another tip to avoid dry wrinkled hands is to apply hand cream. Regularly applying hand cream will provide your hands with the ingredients and hydration to prevent wrinkly hands.

How do you thicken aging skin on hands? ›

Topical retinoids may help thicken thin skin, though more research into this is necessary. Collagen supplements may help slow down the rate at which skin becomes thinner, though it is not possible to completely prevent skin thinning as a result of aging.

How can I get nice hands without nail polish? ›

7 Ways to Have Prettier Hands (Even Without a Manicure)
  1. Exfoliate regularly. ...
  2. Keep a cuticle pen on hand.
  3. Moisturize after washing.
  4. Keep nails short.
  5. Work around a chip.
  6. When in doubt, paint a clear coat.
  7. Show some skin.
Apr 26, 2016

What nail polish is best for tan hands? ›

When it comes to enhancing a tan, warm-toned nail colors are the go-to choice. These shades, including coral, peach, golden yellow, and bronze, complement the warmth of your skin tone and accentuate your bronzed glow.

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