Think Twice About These Nail Colors If You Have Older Hands

As we get older, it's natural for some aspects of our beauty regime to change. We might swap hairstyles for something more youthful, while it's never a bad idea to reassess our makeup application techniques to ensure they're not aging us. And it's no different with our hands. Though manicure colors should be a fun form of self-expression, the shade we choose can have more of an impact on our look than we realize (especially when so many of us have an unintentional, sun-related bad habit that's aging our hands).

We may be inadvertently applying lacquers that highlight imperfections, such as veins or age spots. Or we could be picking polishes that wash us out, robbing the skin of a healthy glow. So, to ensure older hands look as youthful as they feel, we got the lowdown on the colors to avoid (and which to pick instead) from celebrity and editorial manicurist Marisa Carmichael.

Though cool-toned nudes are perfect for creating an understated manicure that goes with everything, they can be notorious for adding years onto our hands. Marisa Carmichael told us ashy polishes with blue or gray undertones can bring out the color of our veins, making them more visible as the skin thins with age. They could also highlight any discoloration, as many of us develop skin hyperpigmentation via age spots.

To get a similar but more flattering look, try nude polishes featuring warmer tones instead — even if your skin has a cooler undertone. Peaches and pinks will give a similar effect, while light pinks are often associated with youth. Carmichael recommended trying OPI's Over-slay Your Welcome or Barefoot Dancer by Sienna Byron Bay.

Though black nails have been reclaimed as an adult staple and can look chic when done right, it's best avoid the dramatic color as we get older. "They can be stark and draw attention to imperfections," Marisa Carmichael explained. She also recommended swapping out deep brown lacquers for the same reason.

But that doesn't necessarily mean you have to replace your rich shades with light colors. Carmichael suggested opting for deep polishes rather than dark ones to get the same aesthetic in a more complimentary way. "Go for more of a deep plum, maroons, warm browns," she suggested, highlighting Orly's Red Rock or Zoya's Kahula.

Red nails have been a staple for decades, hence why we find different ways to put a modern twist on the classic red manicure. But there's a way to do it that will also flatter older hands. Polishes with a blue undertone can wash them out, especially on those who have warmer skin undertones. They can also emphasize the color of veins much like the aforementioned cool-toned nudes, unintentionally adding on the years. That's why Marisa Carmichael suggested creating the bold look using brighter, warmer, more orange-toned reds.

She told us Haute Red by Orly and Zoya's Tamsen can help hands look younger. Both make use of burnt orange tones but still offer the vampy and glam red nail effect that has stood the test of time.