Skip These Nail Colors If You Have Older Hands

When hunting for our next must-have mani, there are various facets to consider, like seasonal vibes, trending hues, and viral finishes. But how many of us have factored in our age when choosing a nail color? It turns out that maybe we should start, as our busy, weather-exposed hands are often among the first places to start showing our years. Even if we follow steps to reduce the signs of aging on our hands, the skin there will eventually begin to change with the times. When this happens, the hue of our nail polish can play a role in either downplaying — or, worse, emphasizing — telltale signs like fine lines and discoloration.

But which colors are secret weapons against visibly aging hands, and which should become no-gos? For an expert perspective, Glam spoke exclusively to celebrity manicurist Vanessa Sanchez McCullough, who has worked with stars of all ages, from Lupita Nyong'o and Idina Menzel to Cindy Crawford and Jennifer Coolidge. As such, she's had plenty of experience adjusting her color palette and technique to best complement the beauty of each client's hands.

McCullough admits that it's "difficult to make a blanket statement because we all age differently," but adds, "When dealing with manicure colors and aging, I find there are a few colors that should be excluded from the mix." Essentially, the connection between nail color and aging comes down to two primary variables: skin condition and skin tone.

There's something to be said for the sultriness of a dark-hued manicure, and by this point, it's become pretty clear that wearing chic black nail polish isn't just for folks embracing the goth aesthetic anymore. However, you may want to put aside some of those darker tones as you get older, as they can draw all the wrong kinds of attention to your hands.

"Dark colors ... like blacks, chocolate browns, and deep purples ... draw attention to imperfections on the hands, like age spots or thinning skin where veins are very visible," Vanessa Sanchez McCullough exclusively warns Glam. Depending on your complexion, visible veins might also require avoiding some saturated shades of blue or green. In the same way that natural, unobtrusive nail shapes like oval nails are ideal for aging hands, it's a safer bet to steer away from wild, vivid hues in favor of more neutral, natural nail colors. These will create less dissonance with the inherent beauty of both your hands and skin tone, though we'd be remiss not to note that this rule isn't the end-all-be-all of nail colors. You can still embrace fun nail trends and colors, but we want you to be equipped with the knowledge of which colors may flatter aging skin the best for those moments when you want them.

The skin on our hands is already thinner than in other areas of our bodies, and as that skin matures, it becomes even more delicate and translucent, making it all the trickier to accent its natural complexion. That said, this is a step that absolutely cannot be overlooked. "Our hands are the window to our age, so you want to start by complementing your skin tone," Vanessa Sanchez McCullough exclusively advises us. "The best rule of thumb when approaching nail color is to complement, not contrast." Often, this means turning to tones that are soft, muted, and reflect the colors already at play in your skin.

"Wearing a stark white polish ... looks stunning on a younger person who maybe has a summer tan, but it will wash out the hand of an older person who has a fair skin tone," McCullough tells Glam. Instead, she suggests that "cool skin tones should look at colors like pinks, blues, or purples and warmer skin tones should lean into peaches, taupes, and cherry reds." This tracks, as some pros have even suggested that orange may be the best nail color for mature hands.

Meanwhile, people with melanated skin have even more leeway. "People who have a darker skin tone tend to have a bit more grace when choosing colors because the aging process may be less noticeable," says McCullough. When in doubt, ask your nail artist for age-appropriate nail polish recommendations that will still serve pizzazz without aging your hands.