The intricacies of manicure for women over 45: expert advice

When we get a manicure, we make a lot of choices, and sometimes the decisions get harder as we get older. Is a bright color too provocative or, on the contrary, should it be taken? Are stilettos just for young people or not? Here’s what the expert thinks about it all.

The palette you are offered to explore in the living room can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what you want. The temptation to transition to neutral shades as you age is great, but Julie Russell, nail designer, at-home manicure expert and blogger, doesn’t think it should be done.

“Glossy polish is a mature hand’s best friend. I was always surprised when my mom asked me to paint her nails neon pink, but it turns out she was on the right track. Now, having acquired From experience, I understand that eye-catching colors make hands look younger and skin look radiant,” says Julie.

Is hot pink too much for you? Russell advises considering close shades – for example, a softer coral, which will give a similar effect.

Do you prefer neutral colors and are not going to change your tastes because of a fiftieth anniversary? We fully support! However, Julie cautions against painting your nails with nail polish that’s too close to your skin tone. “It will create an awful mannequin hand,” says Russell.

There are more and more nail shapes – new ones are constantly appearing, and no one knows what other designers will come up with, in addition to tapering to “ballerina” tips with an even, tip-like cut, and strange flared duck nails. You can choose any option, however, according to Julie, the best way to “rejuvenate” the hands and lengthen the fingers is the timeless classic – almond or oval.

Russell considers gel polish to be the best compromise between durability and ease of removal: as she explains, acrylic and powder require longer soaking in acetone, which dries out the skin, and after 45 years our epidermis begins to lose much-needed moisture without further exposure.

To read also: Taboo manicure: do not use this varnish if you are 50 years old or more

“Nails can become more brittle and uneven as we age,” says Russell. “You can combat this in two ways – with a leveling agent that goes under the base and a firming solution to help when you take a break between salon visits.” And, of course, we must not forget about the skin – use cuticle oil and hand cream every day.