topic Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands? in Beauty

Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

Blondelle — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 14:27:42 GMT

OK, I understand the argument for nude tones as it calls less attention to the hands, but to be honest these pale colors I feel draw attention to texture issues and spots of older hands. It's like nude lipsticks look better on smooth, even toned skin. You put a nude lipstick on blotchy skin with redness and it looks terrible, where as a bright berry lipstick looks much better and plays down the redness in contrast. The argument for bright colors is that it seems to make the color of the hands look better, and clearer, and the eye is drawn to the bright color and maybe not so much the spots and crepiness. I've just applied a light pink nude and it's really not that flattering. I seem to like my hands better with more color on the nails. What do you think?

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

brii — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 14:32:45 GMT

I think wear what makes you happy.

Nails that are manicured and hands that are moisturized make a bigger impact than nail color, IMO.

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

Cardamom — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 14:34:55 GMT

I wear what I like but do to pale skin I don't care for dark colors. Bright I can do but dark polishes don't look good on my skin and makes my nails look shorter. I like nudes and brights. Lately I've been sporting a sparkling yellow. .

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

Perkup — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 14:35:22 GMT

Just my opinion, but the brighter and/or unexpected colors definitely draw attention to older hands. My hands are almost 80, and they don't need that much attention anymore. Glad I have them, and glad they still work, but I don't think the world gives a rats rump about seeing them. There are veins and a few age spots (trying to fade them) but nothing really pretty.

So for me, there aren't going to be any darker shades, and no blues, greens, greys, etc. I prefer to stick with the lighter pinks - not nude. And light corals. I find them attractive and not so attention drawing. At this age, I want to look age appropriate and as classic and classy as possible. And I don't think those brights and unusual shades help me do that. I think they make me look as though I am trying to be soothing I'm not - young!

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

Sunshine Kate — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 14:35:43 GMT

I think you have a point, Blondelle.

The most important thing though is to have an impeccable manicure. That goes for any age, IMO.

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

Katcat1 — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:13:45 GMT

I like nude colors on the fingernails and fun colors on the toes. When it comes to lipstick, I am in the middle. Too bright - not for me & too nude makes me look washed out as I do not wear a lot of eye makeup so I like lipstick colors that are in the middle which are not too bright and definitely not nude.

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

4doggies — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:14:04 GMT

IMO, older hands look better with nude or natural colors, but it comes down to personal preference, if older women think their hands look good in bright colors, go for it!

I think a lot of it has to do with the shape of the nail, not just the skin on hands. Long elegant nail beds tend to look better in brighter colors, shorter nails (the nail itself, not the length) look better in a nude tone.

I prefer a nude color, not only because I think it looks better, but it lasts longer. Tiny chips or wear are very noticeable in bright/dark colors, not so much in nudes.

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

ginabfly — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:14:51 GMT

In my own experience I think it looks really pretty to have bright colored nails on older hands. I don't think it draws attention to bad stuff, it makes the hands look very pretty. I think nude colors look good on some, but not on everyone, and if there are many imperfections on the hands, nude nails just make them look worse IMO.

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

azterry! — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:22:31 GMT

I think it has more to do with your complexion tone than it does with age. Nudes and pastels are not flattering, for the most part, on me. If nude lipstick doesn't flatter you, odds are a nude polish won't either.

I do better with darks and brighter, saturated color. An impeccable manicure is really the most important thing.

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

susan_ca — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:28:32 GMT

I think nude colors are OK as long as they are pearlized. The nude matte is something I don't "get" whether it be on a 20-something or 90-something person. Also, I like to wear just one coat of nail polish, especially those shear color ones. It may be strange to some, but all I want is some color on my nails. )

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

ginabfly — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:33:40 GMT

On 4/24/2014 azterry! said:
I think it has more to do with your complexion tone than it does with age. Nudes and pastels are not flattering, for the most part, on me. If nude lipstick doesn't flatter you, odds are a nude polish won't either.

I do better with darks and brighter, saturated color. An impeccable manicure is really the most important thing.

Good point, skin tone does matter as well.

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

Tinkrbl44 — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:39:25 GMT

If you have a bad complexion or discolorations on your hands, no lipstick or nail polish is going to make them look "better". Skin tone matters, but wearing harsh colors of nail polish is aging, IMO.

Personally, I prefer a nude of some sort on my hands because it goes with whatever color clothing I'm wearing. Outrageous reds and corals on my toes, because they like it.

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

vac — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:53:18 GMT

I love bright polish colors but I'll always wear nude/sheer colors on my fingernails. I just can't keep colored polish intact for more than five minutes. Nude shades don't show chips and flaws so much. I like Essie Sugar Daddy and Pink Glove Service.

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

terrier3 — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 15:55:14 GMT

I use Essie Ballet Slippers on my fingers and have recently switched to a sand color for my toes.

Many fashion magazines are promoting neutral colors for the toes - a reaction to all the bright colors that have been so popular lately!

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

qvcaddition — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:35:01 GMT

I am 78, don,t have spots on hands, and just got a manicure yesterday. A BRIGHT BEAUTIFUL FUCHSIA,with light sparkler in it. Classy looking. My hands look horrible in the nudes. There is an OPI polish I have, just out 2013, that is different colors, sometime green, sometime lavender and in certain light grey. It is beautiful, I will have to list name later. Sometime I wear the color on everything, except ring finger, then wear a deeper cranberry color on the ring fingers, a color that complements the first color. Other times, I reverse the colors. Do this in fall and winter. Lighter and brighter colors in the spring and summer. I always get complements on my nails.

Every poster is right, wear what looks good and you are comfortable wearing. I have friends my age and a few yeas younger that never got nails done and don,t use anything. I like to keep up with fashion always have ,as long as it is not ridiculous FOR ME.

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

silkyk — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:37:03 GMT

A few days ago I picked up the perfect Summer color for fingers and toes....at the grocery store! It's by Jordana (LOVE their mascara) and the color is Pink Lilac #153. Two coats and total perfection, not too nude and not too bright. Even DH noticed and said "pretty color". My Summer go to.

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

Coco Butter Bean — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 16:51:00 GMT

My 75-year-old mom wears beautiful bright polish and she always looks great. Don't let age make any rules for you!

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

qvcaddition — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 17:11:46 GMT

I never let age make my rules, heck I graduated from college at the age of 72 with a scholarship and gave graduation speech because I made the Dean's honor list. Title of speech, "NO AGE LIMIT"> The name of the polish I mentioned in a post above, is, PEACE AND LOVE AND OPI.

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

DoneTryin — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 17:14:02 GMT

I don't believe in "rules" about such things, though I do agree that no pretty polish can make up for ungroomed hands/nails. I just wear whatever I like. After all, it's only nail polish & is easily changed.

Re: Nude vs bright polish on older hands?

luvmypupz — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 17:27:05 GMT

I don't care for nude polishes, they don't look good on me. I will wear bright colors in the summer but more in the coral family, I don't like bubble gum pink bright polish. I do wear fun colors on my toes.