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? ›

To help your hands look younger, orange or peach-based hues work best," says Colette Keenan, butter LONDON national field manager.

What color polish makes hands look younger? ›

Neutral Shades: Opt for neutral colors like nude, beige, rose, or soft pink. These shades create a clean and elegant look, giving the illusion of youthful hands.

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 nail polish makes your fingers look skinnier? ›

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.

What color nail polish makes your hands look tan? ›

Warm-toned nail colors like coral, peach, or bronze can enhance your tan. These shades create a harmonious and flattering look that brings out the warmth in your complexion. Experiment with different warm-toned shades to find the ones that complement your skin tone the best.

What color nail polish makes you look lighter? ›

Dark nail polish makes surrounding skin appear lighter, leading to an aristocratic look in the cold season. However, this is the best choice for ladies with warm complexion and a medium tan.

What color nail polish makes your toes look skinnier? ›

Darker shades tend to make nail beds look smaller so make sure that you choose dark colors that are good for your skin tone in the summer,” says Choi.

What color nail polish should a 40 year old wear? ›

When in doubt, a neutral nail color is the way to go. The neutrals range from nude to sheer tints of beige. These more natural-looking colors are perfect if you like to keep things simple, and they work well for both every day and evening occasions.

What color make you look younger? ›

Pastels are the perfect way to add a youthful touch to your look without going overboard. Their softness and brightness will brighten up your skin tone, making you look younger and healthier than you would with darker colours. These colours are softer and have more neutral shades compared to bright ones.

What nail color is best for chubby fingers? ›

The Best Nail Polish To Use To Make Your Fingers Look Slim

For this reason, different shades of nude are the gold standard when it comes to a color that will highlight your look. Something that is important to note though, is that everybody's shade of nude will differ based on your skin tone.

How to make your hands prettier? ›

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 color polish is best for old 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 nail polish for spring 2024? ›

While we're used to seeing pastels and floral-inspired colors in the spring, this year, spring nail colors are bolder and brighter. Think fiery reds, splashy blues, and even vivid yellows alongside classic springtime hues like lavender and pink.

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

What color nail polish goes with everything? ›

Nude or Beige

A timeless tone of beige or nude goes well with both formal and casual ensembles. It has a refined and tidy appearance that complements any color scheme. Beige or nude nails look elegant and classic, offering them a flexible option for any setting.

What nail color makes your hands look fair? ›

Classic pale pinks and soft mauves

You can't go wrong with pink or purple on your nails. And, lucky for you, when you have cool tones in your skin, you can pick and choose from a wide range of soft, pale pinks and more vibrant yet classic mauves.

What color looks best on toenails? ›

According to Baek, when deciding on nail polish shades, cooler tones like greens and blues tend to look best on the feet, while warmer tones like peach and pink work on hands.

Which nail polish color is best for legs? ›

A good color for nail polish on legs can vary depending on personal preference and the occasion . However , some popular and universally flattering options include shades of red , such as cherry or burgundy , as well as neutral tones like nude or light pink .

What color nail polish suits 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.

Does red nail polish make your hands look old? ›

Bright or tomato red with a tinge of orange also makes your hands look livelier, according to manicurist Ashlie Johnson, who loves Essie Nail Polish in Russian Roulette. "Unlike blue-based reds, they won't bring out all your veins." Manicurist Sheril Bailey agrees.

Do long nails make hands look older? ›

Long nails can make your hands look old and witch-like, so make sure you keep them a little short, but not too short to the point that they look bitten off. Jan Arnold, owner of nail care company CND, recommends keeping your nails no longer than ¼ inch beyond your fingertips.

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