If you love trendy nails–and are over the age of 50, 60, 70, or even 80— you don’t have to stay stuck in a basic French manicure nail rut.
In fact, you can wave goodbye to old lady nails.
And say hello to youthful hands.
But what are the best nail polish colors for over 50, 60, and 70?
While trendy dark green, purple and black nail lacquer colors draw the eye toward brown spots, spider veins and crepey skin, light and metallic nail hues brighten your hands beautifully.
Here’s how to celebrate the fabulous 50s and beyond with vibrant, long-wearing OPI nail polish shades that are wow-worthy, stylish, and chic.
Best Nail Polish Colors for Over 50, 60, and 70: Pale Pinks
A pale pink is a really wearable hue that flatters all skin tones. If you choose the wrong shades of pink polish, however, your skin can look washed out or chalky.
For women with fair skin, choose a sheer mauve, baby pink, or lavender-tinged pink to balance the redness in your skin and minimize age spots.
Olive-toned and dark-skinned women look best in bright pinks featuring a hint of metallic gray or caramel.
To add a little sparkle to your nails at night, choose a shade of pink with flecks of gold in the polish for special events.
Indulge in the timeless elegance of Bubble Bath, a soft and sheer hue that complements every older woman’s hands. This delicate, barely-there pink is the best nail color for older ladies because it creates an illusion of youthful charm, giving your hands a fresh and radiant look.
Revel in the joyous essence of It’s a Girl! This delightful rosy shade adds a touch of playfulness to your nails while accentuating your hands’ natural beauty. Embrace the youthful spirit with this lovely color that brings out your inner glow.
Celebrate everlasting elegance with Baby Take a Vow, a sophisticated and graceful shade that exudes refined charm. Its soft, muted tone effortlessly complements older women’s hands and enhances your natural skin tone.
Best Nail Lacquer Colors for Over 50, 60, and 70: Neutral Nudes
Whether you are dressing for work, casual events, or a wedding, a sheer nude hue is perfect for all occasions. Women with fair skin tones look best in nude polish shades with a hint of pink.
If you have fair skin, anything too beige or too dark on your natural nails will make your hands look pale and sickly.
For women with olive undertones, your skin looks great in mauve, caramel, warm beige, or taupe polish hues.
Dark skin tones look best in all nude hues except whitish nude colors that may make your skin have a grayish cast.
Radiate a sun-kissed glow with Samoan Sand, an exquisite nude shade that evokes warmth and vitality. This versatile color enhances your hands’ natural color, making them look more youthful and graceful.
Feel the flush of youth with Stop It I’m Blushing! This charming, blushing pink hue adds a subtle pop of color to mature hands, reviving their vibrancy and leaving you feeling confident and beautiful.
Transport yourself to an island paradise with Do You Take Lei Away? This soft, sandy beige tone embodies relaxation and serenity, making your hands appear refreshed and rejuvenated.
Best Nail Polish Colors for Over 60 and 70: Silver and Gold Metallics
For a night out with your best girlfriends, paint on a little shimmer and shine with a metallic polish.
In fact, silver or gold metallic nail color provides a chic accent and bold contrast to your favorite red, jewel-toned, or black party dresses or dinner attire.
To complement your skin tone best, fair and medium skin tones look best in a shimmery metallic polish featuring silver tones.
Darker skin beauties shine in gold metallic with a hint of copper coloring.
Sparkle and shine like the star you are with Tinsel ‘Lil Star. This dazzling silver polish adds a touch of glamour to older women’s hands, illuminating them with a radiant glow. Let your hands steal the spotlight with this eye-catching shade.
Embrace the magic of dreams with I Mica Be Dreaming. This ethereal, dreamy hue brings a touch of fantasy to your nails, creating an otherworldly allure for the holidays or for special events.
Unleash your inner fashionista with Nails the Runway. This chic and trendy color adds a dose of sophistication to mature hands, making them look effortlessly stylish. Walk with confidence as this runway-inspired polish elevates your hands’ to new heights.
Best Old Lady Nail Polish Colors: Graphic Grays and Sky Blues
If you secretly love the nail art featured on this season’s fashion runway but don’t want to wear animal prints or polka dots, go bold with a graphic gray, mint green, or sky blue.
Blue and gray nail colors flatter all skin tones and are the perfect old lady nails polish colors for casual outings and creative business lunches.
In the fall, pair your pale gray nails with your black, navy blue, or charcoal gray outfits.
In the spring and summer, swipe on an aqua, teal, or light blue hue on your nails to complement lavender, pink and white clothing options.
Angels Flight to Starry Nights
Discover timeless elegance with OPI’s Angels Flight to Starry Nights. This classic and refined shade exudes sophistication, offering a modern twist on a traditional favorite. Embrace the beauty of simplicity as this understated color enhances the natural charm of older women’s hands.
Embrace the spirit of nostalgia with It’s a Boy! This sweet and soft blue hue brings back memories of youth and innocence, adding a touch of playfulness to your nails. Let your hands tell a story as this delightful shade brings out your youthful exuberance.
Revitalize your hands with the invigorating shade of Mexico City Move-mint. This refreshing and lively mint color breathes new life into mature hands, making them appear revitalized and youthful. Embrace the feeling of renewal as this vibrant polish rejuvenates your hands’ appearance.
Nails for Older Ladies FAQ’s
What Nail Color Makes You Look Older?
Before choosing a dark polish color, consider the condition of your nails.
Dark nail polish will emphasize any nail problems, such as ragged cuticles, breaks, or unevenness, while light colors will hide them.
Also, dark nail polish colors are more high-maintenance than their light-hued counterparts, as they tend to show chips and nicks more easily.
Does Dark Nail Polish Make Hands Look Older?
Yes, a black manicure can age your hands.
Before choosing a dark polish color, consider the condition of your nails.
Dark nail polish will emphasize any nail problems, such as ragged cuticles, breaks, or unevenness, while light colors will hide them.
Also, dark nail polish colors are more high-maintenance than their light-hued counterparts, as they tend to show chips and nicks more easily.
Bold Colors and Textures for Toes: Nail Colors for Older Women
While your aging hands look best in cool pinks, muted grays, and cool blues, you can pump up the volume with color on your toes.
Or try swiping this OPI Holiday Gift set to see what colors match your skin tone best!
- For spring and summer, if you have warmer undertones, swipe on mint green, bright fuchsia or a peachy orange.
- For a cozy winter manicure, paint your toes a pretty purple, navy blue, blue-based reds, or a burgundy hue. These hues are best for cooler undertones.
- Add glitter, crystal balls, or stick-on metallic decals on your big toes for an additional pop of color and fun.
If you follow each season’s beauty trends, accessorizing your nails with color remains a permanent fixture in fashion magazines.
While selecting the right nail polish color to suit your mood can be fun, proper nail maintenance is essential to avoid weak and brittle nails.
For women obsessed with the latest nail beauty tips, you can pamper your hands and feet using the best nail polish colors over 50, 60 and 70 and a weekly nail maintenance regimen.