The Best Pedicure Colors For Women Over 50
Who doesn’t love a classic red pedicure or manicure if you’re lucky enough to have strong fingernails? It’s timeless, ageless, goes with everything, and is so sophisticated! I’ve been thinking about contrast lately and reassessing pedicure colors for women over 50. Several readers have asked about foot care, so I’ve updated this post for any ladies with toes like mine.
When a color is a dramatic departure from the other colors around it, the eye is drawn to the contrast. Sometimes we want that to happen. Other times we don’t.
You may also enjoy- How To Find Your Personal Contrast Level And Why It Matters
I don’t know about you, but my toes have taken quite a beating over the years. Scars from bunion surgery top the list, but I’ve also broken several toes by stubbing and slamming them into things. Nobody ever “set” those broken toes, so they healed by themselves… and did a lousy job of it.
The not-so-funny thing is that the older I get, the more crooked my toes become, so wearing bright or dark-colored polish draws attention to their crookedness.
There are so many different nail polish brands out there, but Essie continues to be my favorite. The quality is great, and I find the Essie Couture Long Wear line lasts a full two+ weeks.
Pre Show Jitters has been my favorite pedicure color for several years. It’s a pale, almost white, almost nude shade with a slight touch of pink to it.
My Foot Smoothing Secret Weapon
I’ve been using this Rapid Relief Restoring Body Cream on my feet, and I am obsessed…which I don’t say lightly! It has a hefty 15% lactic acid plus ceramides, so it exfoliates and moisturizes.
I intended to buy these moisturizing heel socks to help it soak in, but I don’t have to. After three nights of slathering my feet with this cream, they are as smooth as a baby’s bottom. No cracks, no dryness, and no signs of dryness.
With the arrival of sandal season, I thought I would share some of the great pedicure colors for women over 50.
My Favorite Pedicure Colors For Women Over 50
Ballet Slippers
Pale pink is such a versatile color that I find goes with most of the clothing in my wardrobe. This shade, Ballet Slippers, is one of Essie’s most popular polish colors and is easy to get at a nail salon.
San Tropez
Nude and beige nail polishes are my favorite shade for nails these days. I think they look chic without drawing too much attention to my feet.
Go Ginza
If brightly colored toe polish brings you joy every time you see it, the options are endless. I bought a periwinkle similar to this Go Ginza this spring and loved it.
The Snuggle is Real
If you like to choose a color, I like to pick one in the medium range, like this pretty pink. It isn’t too light and bright, but it also isn’t too dark.
Blanc
Have you ever tried painting your nails white? I know many do white tips, but a full white nail can be just as great as a neutral.
How to Give Yourself a Pedicure at Home
If you don’t like going to a salon or don’t have the time, you can give yourself a pretty great pedicure at home these days. Below, I’ve made a list of my favorite products to get your feet and nails ready.
Double Sided Callus Remover
The first step for any at-home pedicure is removing dead skin and calluses. This double-sided foot file gets great reviews and is a must-have during sandal season.
Nail Polish Remover
One of the best parts about going to a nail salon for a pedicure is that they do such a great job at removing previous nail polish. They also use the remover to touch up any spots that don’t need polish. I like that this one can remove even the darkest of polishes without drying out your cuticles.
Nail Strengthener
If you have delicate, weak, or brittle nails, I’d suggest trying a nail strengthener like this one. It’s formulated with hydrolyzed wheat protein and calcium to help you grow longer, stronger nails.
Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak
An at-home pedicure can be just as relaxing as a trip to the spa or nail salon if you take a few extra steps to pamper yourself! This soothing and rejuvenating foot soak is ideal for softening tired feet. I’ve got this on order to try it out!
Pedicure Foot Rest
I know going to get a pedicure can be so much easier than bending over to reach our feet. This pedicure footrest will make it so much easier for you to position your feet so you can paint your toenails without pain.
Nail Polish Holder
While this may seem like a silly gadget to some, this nail polish holder is actually so helpful when you are in the process of doing your nails! It doesn’t tip over, so you don’t have to worry about spills!
Essie Speed Setter
Maybe I’m impatient, but I hate waiting for my toenails to dry! It seems like it can take ages before I can slip my shoes back on. This ultra-fast dry top coat dries in less than a minute, so you can quickly finish and protect your beautiful manicure or pedicure.
Shop More Nail Polish Colors for Women Over 50 and Pedicure Tools:
What’s your favorite color for pedicures during the spring and summer?
Thanks for reading, and be sure to wear what makes you feel confident.
I am 62 and wear a size 10 shoe. I love “I Am Not Really A Waitress” by OPI. I may not have beautiful feet, but they are mine. I love the way I feel when I have a fresh mani/pedi with my favorite color. It makes me feel well put together. Hello Summer, get a load of these beauties in my comfy sandals. I love your style, Jennifer.
I wear gold polish on my toes every summer and whenever we travel to a sandal wearing destination in winter. I’ve been doing it for more years than I can remember. I’ve also been putting lotion on my feet at bedtime every night for years which has kept them looking younger than my 70 years.
Learned about so many new products and accessories for doing a home pedicure…thank you!! You have been doing your own pedicure for years now, and you must have a routine that you follow. Any advice about the nail preparation before applying the polish? Do you use a polishing tool to smooth the nail bed for example? Best way to clean the cuticle away from the nail bed, and trim the nail itself? Any tips for applying the polish evenly and removing stray polish from the surrounding skin? Sorry to ask so many questions, but you never fail to provide spot on advice for any grooming or fashion topic. Perhaps another blog post in the future…? And happy Memorial Day weekend to you!
I file and prep my nails the day before I polish. Then after I have a hot shower, I push back my cuticles with a washcloth when the skin is soft.
I clean up mistakes with a tissue wrapped around an orange stick that I dip in polish remover.
I often add a third thin layer the day after to fill in spots.
I highly recommend Somewhere Over the Rainbow Mountain by OPI!
It sounds great!!
Hi Jennifer,
Is the Essie violin nail polish a current color? I am fascinated with the name. (I am a violinist.) I cannot seem to find it.
I am also a huge fan of Essie polish. My go-to for summer pedicures is Essie Marshmallow, a soft and barely opaque white. I hope they never discontinue it!
It sounds like Iād love that one.
Klutzy with a capital K! I fell over a hose in the yard and slammed my left great toes into a decorative rock at edge of lawn! Very painful and I had to have that nail permanently removed because of damage to the nail Ed. It just would not grow back at all normal. So I have a missing nail and the toe looks scarred. I have not bothered with polish since then. I also have a lot of joint deformity in both my hands and feet. My nails are hard on both but I feel like Polish just brings more attention to my deformities. I used to wear a lot of soft pinks and pale mauves in O.P.I. back in my forties. I am 78 now and still like to look stylish in my own casual way. Polish only last a couple of days on my oily nails as well. A lot of work for little reward. I love hearing about all of you fellow readers experiences with pedis and manicures. Jennifer, your color choices are mine. I thought I was a spring but maybe not. Peach and coral look terrible on my skin.
Ouch!! Iām so sorry. If peach and coral donāt look good on you, I doubt youāre a spring. Perhaps a summer?
I love OPIās Coca Cola Red on my toes! I imagine itās supposed to match the color of a Coke can. Itās so fun and a little more orange-y than Iām Not Really a Waitress. It look ok on my pale (pasty white) 60 year old toes! Thanks for the post, Jennifer!
I see that several of these items are already in my toolkit. The fight against dry heels is real.
I love Essie polish too. I think pedicure colors can be fun and seasonal. I just got back from California. I have the creamy white shade āhappy as Cannes beā on my toes.
For summer months, I do like blue. Two shades I have lined upā¦āpret-a-surferā and ādonāt burst my bubbleā
I donāt do a manicure often, Iām too busy gardening! Since I was on vacation, right now my nails have OPI āBubble Bathā on. Iām sure it will be destroyed by the end of the day.
By the way, my husband has very nice feet! I think itās because heās always in comfortable shoes and socks.
I always have coral toenails — in whatever OPI shade Target has in May, LOL. I guess I settled on coral years ago, thinking it’s one of those colors that complements everything.
I had to smile at the Pedicure Foot Rest — it is exactly like the foot stand I used to use when I played classical guitar — but at about 1/10th the price. Yay! (Also, for the economically minded, you can always just paint your toes outside, sitting on stairs. Put your foot one rung down and you’re set. Your indoor air quality will also thank you.)
Happy Friday Bette. Great point about the air quality.
Ballet Slippers was the late Queen’s only color she wore. It is a perfect light color that goes with everything. I currently wear a version of it on my fingers and now wearing a light color on my toes for spring/summer. I wear a gingerbread shade (brown) on my toes the remainder of the year.
I had bunion surgery seven years ago and it was successful for the most part. The bunion on my right foot was extremely bad (big toe was either over or under the hammer toe next to it). Unfortunately, the right foot will probably need to be re-done as it is encroaching on the toe next to it. Hammertoe was fixed originally. Left foot is doing fine. Never had pain with either bunion – just horribly misshapen toes and great difficulty finding shoes that fit. I’m a 10.5-11. And, I have to order all my shoes as stores in town do not carry that size in stock.
Good luck with your toes, Jennifer. Thank you for sharing all this wonderful information. And, thank you fellow readers for your insights. Have a great weekend!
Have a great weekend, Christi
I have paper thin nails on both my hands and feet. I used to do acrylic o. My hands but have developed an allergy. Now years later I find myself completely allergic to any polish at all even allergy friendly ones. Piggy paint is a brand for babies I discovered I can wear but it lasts maybe two days so I donāt bother much to do it. I love the look of a fresh manicure so I am delighted for those of you who can do it.
I wore acrylics for years too. They destroyed my fingernails.
I have pretty ugly toes. They all look like they belong to others feet.
I too, like the neutral colors.
They add a bit of class to these unusual feet of mine.
Thanks for all the great tips.
I like brighter or darker colors for me. After multiple ankle surgeries, I get the most compliments on old school OPI Pompei Purple and Essie Mrs Always Right. I have yet to branch out to colors other than red/pinks.
I love red all year long! I used to go to in-person yoga and wanted my feet to always look nice. Now that I’m taking a Zoom yoga class, no one but my husband and I see my feet, but I still love to have my red toes! I live and work on a ranch so my toes are seldom exposed but once the boots and socks come off, I smile when I see the brightness at the bottom of my legs. The color I like is Coca Cola Red but if I can’t find it, anything that resembles it on the polish rack goes on my toes.
I love this Pamā„ļø
Great post although for me personally as a Pilates, Barre & Yoga instructor people are always looking at my toes, so I always go with a fabulous bright or dark color, they are currently a dark coco brown with white flowers and I never ever do pastels or lighter colors because they look bad with my skintone and it’s just not my personality, I usually have a design painted on them too (flowers, polka dots, swirls) or add some sparkles. At 60 my I have a big scar and a tatoo but my personal opinion, life is too short to not have fun with your pedicure and if your feet aren’t perfect so what – live life! But ladies to take care of your feet, I would say as much as your skin, your feet are the foundation of your body
I love your attitude! Great advice about feet being our foundation!
Great post and discovery of new pedicure products – thanks!
I like Essie as well, I recently tried their Quick Dry polish, the taller bottle, and it really lasts too! Colors are limited but maybe they will add more as its new. Iād kind of given up on nail polish as it didnāt last and gel is so bad for your nails but this stuff has me painting my nails again!
Good to know. Thanks Sandy.
Thank you for all of your suggestions on at home pedicures. I have found a great way to help with yellowing nails. About once a week I soak my feet in a solution of very warm water and 1 cup of Apple cider vinegar I do this for about 20 min, My feet have become less dry and I have noticed when I remove my nail polish my nails are much whiter. My feet feel so much better. I hope this helps.
Thatās a great tip! Apple cider vinegar is healthy for us in so many ways. I wonder if the healing properties are because itās fermented.
Obviously a very personal choice! Iāll add this insight. It goes back to seasonal color. Nothing is right against your skin like polish, so pick one in your seasonal palette!! This actually helped me confirm my season because I realized that all my fav polishes, the ones that looked great and people complimented were, you guessed it, square in my palette! For me it confirmed which winter I was-Iām dark winter-which always seemed counter intuitive because Iām fair skinned and green eyed. Yet, navy blue, burgundy, cool reds, fuchsias, gray, silver, always my faves. Nudes donāt do much for me and look rather sickly.
Great point. I look awful in warm peaches etc.
I enjoyed this post —– I have decent looking feet and polish my toenails myself , with good results , I think ! For anyone with ” summer ” coloring , I would recommend Essie’s Ladylike . It is a beautiful soft plum with opaque coverage . I think it would look great on you , Jennifer .
I love the sound of that color. Thank you.
Good morning & happy weekendš, I have been using Essie & OPI for years. So many colors from both brands. On my toes I usually go with colors I donāt wear on my hands. (Always a natural or sheer on my hands). So I like having fun with colors on my toes. Yes, my toes are not nice, due to several surgeryās but, pops of color on my toes makes me feel happy. Experiment with fun luscious colors and have a very happy weekend!
PS, take a moment to pause and remember our service members whom we have lost, I was lucky, my husband made it home from Vietnam.
Your are blessed, Pat. I love your joyous zest for life. Thank you for always sharing your light with us here. Happy Friday.
I get my fingernails buffed but color on my toes – and it often changes. In summer they are often an ocean blue, wine/burgundy in fall/winter, minor deviations from time to time. My all time favorite color is an old discontinued OPI color – Root Beer (Float?) – a somewhat dark color that straddled a muted plum/ brown – it went with everything! Iād be so happy if they brought that one back!
I remember that color!
Itās March 2022 and I just found this articleā¦and I love it! I am 62 and have been trying to find an article with hints for aging feet that are definitely not so pretty anymore. I want to keep the nails polished as they look āagedā if left uncoveredā¦but wanted advise as to how to what colors would make them attractive but not draw attention to their āunattractive-nessā. Thank you, ladies for all you have shared!
I too have bumped into something with my toes and it has led to me losing nails, happy to say they are growing back and I can go in and have them done again. I have been getting them painted orange or purple, makes me feel good.
You go, Lana! Paint them a color that makes you happy.
Hi Jennifer
I’ve been fortunate with my feet…although orthotics are in my future.
One colour I have worn this past winter, spring & summer is Essie’s “Eternal Optimist”. I think its a neutral and goes well with many colours. Muted and not to bright. Nice on toes and fingers! Classy….my opinion. š
Robin T
I’ll check that one out Robin. It sounds perfect.
I painted mine blue a couple of weeks ago, and I love it! Found a cute pair of L’Artiste sandals that have a lots of colors and they look great! I am even thinking of wearing short dresses again this summer. I will be 68 this year and these gams still look pretty good!
Good for you!! Go for it.
I always used OPI until it became harder to come by (and I still have a TON). The first times I tried Essie I found it didn’t last as long, even with base and top coats. Now I get the Essie Gel Couture in the twisted bottle, and with its corresponding top coat, find it outlasts even OPI. What products and layers do you use to make your regular Essie last long? And how often do you change your toe nail polish?
BTW, while waiting a few months to see a foot specialist, I removed all my nail polish. After a month or so, all of the yellow went away! Granted, it was winter and I didn’t mind having naked toes.
Feeling very inspired and normal for a 58 y.o.!! Thanks for this post and your responses, Jennifer!
LOL, you’re the best, Karen! I do have the Essie Gel Couture, but only in a few colors. You’re right! They do last longer than any polish I have used. Note to self…get more colors:) I will change my polish once a week if I need to (chipping) but prefer to have it last 2 weeks.
My tootsies still look pretty good…I go for various shades of pastel blue this time of year and reds into purples inFall/Winter.
Pastel blue is so pretty!