If you are a woman over 40, then you know that it’s so important to take care of your hands and feet.
After all, we use them constantly!
And as we age, it becomes more challenging to keep our hands and feet soft and smooth.
That’s why it is essential to have the best manicure and pedicure tools at your disposal.
In this article, we will discuss the basic tools you need (and ones you don’t) to keep your hands and feet looking their best.
We’ll also provide some tips on how to use them properly. But first, let’s look at a few tools you do NOT need.
Keeping it Simple- 3 Tools You Don’t Need
1.) Cuticle Pushers
Our cuticles play an important role, they protect the nail beds on our hands and feet from bacteria.
Cuticle pushers push that protective skin back and could potentially open the door to infection.
Nail health is especially important for aging people, as the skin becomes thinner, more delicate, and more prone to dryness, tears, and cracks.
But don’t fret- nails polished without the use of cuticle pushers look just as great!
2.) Cuticle Cutters or Scissors
Cuticles, as mentioned, protect our nail beds from germs and bacteria, and cutting your cuticles leaves them in an even more vulnerable position than pushing the cuticles back with a cuticle pusher, and should be avoided.
And if you ever get the odd hang nail, simply cut it with a clean nail clipper.
Nail clippers can be sanitized by soaking them in peroxide for a few minutes or cleaning the blade area with a cotton swab dipped in peroxide, or both.
3.) Nail Brush
Who uses nail brushes, really?
Besides the fact that nail brushes are quite harsh on the soft skin of our fingertips, particularly around our nail beds (especially as our skin ages), they are also quite ineffective unless your fingernails are really dirty, and you scrub vigorously.
In the place of a nail brush, cuticle pushers, and cuticle scissors- simply wash your hands regularly with warm water and some gentle soap, and follow up with a moisturizing cream or cuticle oil for optimal cuticle care.
If you have ground-in dirt under your nails- maybe you did some quick, impromptu weeding- the pointed end of a nail file will quickly remove any dirt from under your nails, along with a facecloth and a gentle hand wash.
And now, let’s get into it!
The Best Manicure Tools for Women Over 40
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Here we go- our list of the best manicure tools for women over forty! Start pampering yourself today!
1.) Nail File
This is an important tool to have if you want to keep your nails looking their best. Use it to file your nails into the shape you desire.
3 Best Types of Nail Files:
1.) Glass Nail File: A glass nail file is a great option because it is gentle on the nails while still filing away any rough edges.
Mont Bleu Professional Set of 3 Czech Glass Nail Files
2.) Ceramic Nail File: A ceramic nail file is an excellent option for sensitive nails that are prone to breakage and splitting.
Ten Over Ten Double-Sided Diamond-Ceramic Nail File
3.) Stainless Steel Nail File: A metal nail file is a good option for those who have stronger nails.
Mr. Green Stainless Steel Nail File
2.) Nail Clippers
These are necessary for trimming your nails when they get too long.
3 Great Quality Nail Clippers:
1.) Tweezerman Stainless Steel Nail Clippers: These are an asset because they are made of strong, high-quality stainless steel.
Tweezerman also sells great quality toenail clippers.
2.) Zwilling J.A. Henckels Nail Clippers: These are of German design, innovative, precise, and made with high-quality stainless steel.
3.) Seki Edge Stainless Steel Nail Clippers: These are made of high-quality stainless steel and have a sharp blade and ergonomic design that makes nail trimming easy.
3.) Buffer
A buffer can help to smooth out the surface of your nails so that they have a more polished look. These are a perfect option if you prefer to have great-looking nails without the polish.
3 Best Nail Buffers:
1.) Own Harmony Electric Nail Buffer and Shine Kit: This is an electric option that files, buffs, and shines in one easy-to-use tool that leaves your nails with a professional polish finish.
2.) Revlon Nail Buffer: This is a great manual option that leaves your nails with a smooth, shiny, polished look.
3.) OPI Buffing Block: This is a good option for those who want an inexpensive tool that still does a great job.
4.) Nail Polish
This is the finishing touch to your manicure! Choose a color that you love and have fun with it.
The 5 Most Trending Nail Polish Shades of 2023:
1.) Nude and Creams Colors:
Nude polish and off-white creams are great options for those who want a classic look.
Modelones Neutral Gel Polish Set
Going darker with your nudes is the perfect choice for fall, while lighter creams look fresh and clean for spring and summer. This set has it all- including brown, another popular color for 2023!
2.) Clear Polish:
Keeping with the “clean” aesthetic is clear nail polish- nothing moves away from the trend of over-the-top, damaged artificial nails than this clean, fresh, and pretty trend.
3.) Shades of Teal:
Mineral Fusion Teal Nail Polish
Teal-colored polishes are a popular choice for those who want something deep, ocean-inspired, gorgeous, and perfect for summer.
4.) Silvers, Chromes, and Metallics:
These “heavy metal” polishes are a smoldering choice and are perfect for those who want to make a dramatic statement with their nails.
5.) Shades of Plum:
Essie Fast Dry Plum Nail Polish
These dreamy shades of spring-inspired succulent fruits will keep you sweet, soft, and trending all season long!
5.) Nail Polish Remover
Use nail polish remover to remove old polish and keep the skin around your nails polish-free.
- If you want a stronger nail polish remover, go for an acetone-based one.
- If you want a gentler option that is still effective, choose a non-acetone-based remover.
Acetone-free Mineral Fusion Nail Polish Remover
Contains Acetone OPI Nail Polish Remover
6.) Cotton Swabs
These are great for dipping into nail polish remover and cleaning off extra polish. See pro-tip 3 below*
Best Cotton Swabs:
With a considerable amount of cotton batting on each tip, Q-Tips Brand cotton swabs are good quality (and are also an essential make-up tool).
7. Hand Lotion
Here are a few lotions, essentials for soft, smooth hands- it is so important to take care of your hands, as they tend to age very fast once we are over 40.
The 3 Best Hand Lotions
1.) Body and Earth 6pc Hand Lotion Set
These lotions contain shea butter, argan oil, natural glycerin, vitamins, and minerals and come in cherry blossom, coconut, ocean, shea butter, pink sugar, and vanilla scents.
These are not “heavy-duty” hand care lotions, but they will come in handy when you’re in a pinch. Place in the car, purse, desk drawer, nightstand, etc.
2.) CeraVe Therapeutic Hand Cream
This fast-absorbing, lightweight formula includes three essential ceramides (1, 3, 6-II) that help to prevent and protect dry, chapped skin.
3.) Vaseline Intensive Care Lotion
This lotion is tried and true. It contains petroleum jelly to lock in moisture and is proven to relieve the effects of dry skin. See the lotion link, for the link to the study, if interested.
The Best Pedicure Tools for Women Over 40
Here is a list of the best pedicure tools for women over 40:
1.) Exfoliating Foot Scrub
This “tool” helps to exfoliate your feet and remove any dead skin cells.
The 3 Best Foot Scrubbers:
1.) Novarnica Exfoliating and Moisturizing Foot Scrub: This scrubber contains crushed volcanic rock, lactic acid, shea butter, Anica Montana, and menthol to help smooth and refresh your feet.
2.) Baby Foot: This exfoliant peel takes up to a week to fully exfoliate and soften your feet.
3.) Yves Rocher: The combination of lavender and pumice stone gently exfoliates for fresh, smooth feet.
2.) Pumice Stone
A pumice stone can help to smooth out rough patches on your feet.
The Top 3 Pumice Stones:
1.) Evolatree Pumice Stone: This pumice is made from natural earth lava and gently and effectively removes rough dead skin, calluses, corns, and stains.
2.) Lulu Essentials Foot Pumice Stone: This ergonomically designed “sponge” features synthetic particles that are abrasive enough to slough away unwanted dry, callused skin.
3.) Empire Home Natural Pumice Stone: This Phogary lave pumice stone is safe and gentle on your feet.
3.) Foot File
Foot files can be purchased as manual filing tools or as electric filing tools. Both options are great for removing unwanted calluses or dry skin on your feet.
Foot Files You Will Love:
1.) Rikans Colossal Foot File: Manual files are often double-sided but this set includes one tool for removing dead skin, and a second tool for smoothing the skin, to achieve soft feet.
2.) Own Harmony Electric Callus and Dead Skin Remover: This battery-operated foot file is great for those who want a hassle-free way to remove dead skin.
3.) Scholl Velvet Smooth Express Pedi Foot File: This electric file comes with a roller head that is specifically designed to remove calluses.
4.) Foot Cream
This is necessary for your pedicure toolkit to keep your feet soft and moisturized.
3 Most Luxurious Foot Creams:
1.) LNC Red Foot Cream Warming: Made with horse chestnut extract, beeswax, and red algae for moisturizing and stimulating, and chili extract to increase blood flow.
2.) Dr. Scholl’s Cracked Heel Repair Balm: This cream features a blend of 25% Urea, Essential Oils, Epsom Salt, and other natural moisturizers to smooth cracks and remove rough patches, leaving your feet silky and moisturized.
3.) The Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion: This lotion is infused with Community Trade peppermint essence oil from Norfolk, England. The peppermint tingles, cools, softens, and revitalizes tired feet while providing intense hydration.
5.) Nail Polish
Like a manicure, the right pedicure nail polish is essential for your toolkit and can make your pedicure pop!
Some Stunning Options for the Hands OR Super Bold Polish Options for the Feet:
3.) OPI Nail Lacquer
5.) Sally Hansen- Friends Collection- Lavendoor
6.) Razor Blade
You will need this tool to shave any little stray hairs that may appear on the tops of your toes!
3 Best Women’s Razors:
1.) Gillette Venus Original Razor
2.) Schick Hydro Silk Sensitive Skin Razor
3.) Senignol Women’s Electric Razor
And that’s it!
Those are the tools for perfect at-home manicures and pedicures!
Bonus: How to Get Sandal-Ready Feet in Under 5 Minutes!
It’s not easy when you have a busy, full life with so many commitments and tasks pulling you in other directions, to sometimes even remember your feet until the moment you’re slipping on those sandals.
Only then do you look down and see- dry, white flaky skin; heels that resemble the texture of rocks or in advanced cases of neglect- even fissures, yellow-hued toenails (possibly from constant nail polish usage), a few stray hairs on a toe or two, and maybe some calluses…
Whatever the level of attention needed by our feet, it’s always important to put our best foot forward!
Luckily, the solution is quick and easy!
With just a few handy pedicure tools to help and these 4 steps, you will have Sandal Ready Feet in Under 5 Minutes!
1.) Foot File
Using a manual foot file, quickly and gently sand down the heels, sides, and bottom of your DRY feet.
Pay special attention to your heels and any other rough spots. About 30 seconds for each foot should do.
2.) Lotion
Next, use a generous amount of lotion and quickly and thoroughly rub the lotion into your feet. The lotion does not have to be fully absorbed, that will happen on its own- a quick rub will do.
3.) Razor
Take an extra dab of lotion to any of your toes that may have hair (I know…) and use a regular razor to quickly shave off those few strays. Be gentle.
4.) Nail Polish
Last, if you have some chipped or non-fresh nail polish currently on your toenails, use the same shade as the old polish and give one quick, thin, polish to each toe.
If your toes are not currently painted, likewise, give one quick, careful, polish to each toe. Sometimes the big toe needs a quick, thin 2nd coat.
Single coats dry very quickly!
And that’s it- you are out the door!
Pro-tip 1- apply the nail polish AFTER you slip on your sandals if the sandals allow all your toenails to be easily accessed.
Pro-tip 2- natural and nude shades of polish are more forgiving if the odd bit of polish gets on your skin and these shades will also match any outfit.
Pro tip 3- if you are a tad messy with applying nail polish quickly, a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover to quickly wipe off any excess on the surrounding skin, is handy.
*Be careful of acetone on your surfaces*
The Benefits of Pampering Yourself At Home
There are many benefits to pampering yourself- manicures and pedicures included!!!
Here are just a few:
- Pampering can help you relax and de-stress
- It can boost your mood and confidence
- It can increase circulation and promote healing
- It can reduce pain and inflammation
- It can give you some much-needed “me” time
- It saves money, and time, and can be done at your leisure
- The process can be as gentle as you like
Pampering yourself doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming. Even taking a few minutes out of your day to do something for yourself can make a big difference.
Conclusion
Manicures and pedicures are perfect to pamper yourself, relax after a long day at work or school, and feel confident when meeting new people.
They are especially important for women as we age when our skin is more prone to dryness, flaking, calluses, corns, etc.
Having the best tools for the job is important to get the most out of your experience.
So go ahead and treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure today-