Gel, dip or stick-on? Your ultimate manicure guide | members only access

4. LOOKING FOR A LONGER-WEAR DIY OPTION. At-home manis do have advantages. They’re free (or low-cost if you factor in buying new polish), allow you to skip the crowded salon and avoid

parking issues, and make it possible to do your nails any time of day or night. Plus, there’s no need to rush drying; you can time it to a Netflix binge! Salon manicures always seemed to

last longer than our own attempts, but DIY gel polishes are a game changer. They stay chip-free for a full week, require no LED or UV light, and remove like regular polish. The polish is a

little more expensive, but the benefits are worth it. Instead of worrying about chips and relying on sheer natural shades, you might try a vibrant pink like ESSIE GEL COUTURE POLISH IN HAUTE

TO TROT ($13, target.com), periwinkle like the SALLY HANSEN MIRACLE GEL NAIL COLOR IN CRYING OUT CLOUD ($13, cvs.com) or deep-sea blue like SALLY HANSEN MIRACLE GEL NAIL COLOR IN

HYP-NAUTICAL ($13, walgreens.com). Left to right: OPI Gel Color Nail Polish in Funny Bunny ($20, walmart.com); Essie Nail Color in Geranium ($10, cvs.com); Olive & June Nail Polish in BP

($9, target.com); Nails.INC 45 Second Speedy Gloss in Lana ($8, walmart.com); Zoya Beachy Brights Neon Nail Polish Collection in Loni ($12, ulta.com) Photo Collage: AARP; (Source: Meiko

Takechi Arquillos) 5. SEEKING A FLATTERING NAIL SHAPE AND POLISH COLORS. Manicures add a style statement to your looks. The color, shape and length reveal things about your current taste and

attitude that even clothes, makeup and hair may not. There are no rules, but let’s be honest, certain nail shapes and colors are more flattering to mature hands than others, especially if

you’re concerned about loose crepey skin, prominent veins and dark spots on the backs of hands and fingers. Top options are elongating almond or oval shapes. Right now, creamy white polishes

like OPI GEL COLOR NAIL POLISH IN FUNNY BUNNY ($20, walmart.com) and soft pale tints of butter yellow and powder blue are alternatives to neutrals like sheer pinks and nudes. Warm reds,

spicy oranges, golden pinks and peaches like DEBORAH LIPPMANN GEL LAB PRO NAIL COLOR IN PEACHY KEEN ($20, nordstrom.com) are good choices to counteract spots and veins. But don’t ignore

bright coastal blues that hint of the sea, turquoise and blue-green aqua shades, and shimmery metallics — all bold polish choices with a fashion-forward vibe. Left to right: Revlon Ultra HD

Snap Nail Polish in She’s on Fire ($6, amazon.com); Sally Hansen Good. Kind. Pure. Nail Polish in Crystal Blue ($10, ulta.com); Burt’s Bees Cuticle Cream ($6, target.com); Nails Inc. Plant

Power Vegan Nail Polish in Soul Surfing ($10, target.com); Londontown Lakur Nail Polish in Camden Chic ($16, amazon.com); Olive & June Nail Polish in Lava ($10, walgreens.com) Photo

Collage: AARP; (Source: Meiko Takechi Arquillos) 6. WORRIED ABOUT MAINTAINING NAIL HEALTH. Nail techs are not the only ones charged with keeping your nails perky — ultimately, it’s up to

you. Thinning, peeling, cracking, splits and breakage are a signal to take a break from all long-wear polish and lengthening procedures. Incorrect application or removal of gels, dip and

extensions and improperly cut cuticles can happen at any salon (even the most expensive ones!), and damage is sometimes hidden under the most dazzling colors. Resist the urge to keep on

“doing” nails and start a routine of pampering at-home treatments to restore hydration, strength and health. You might want to try nontoxic regular polish instead of opting for long-wear

gels. Clean polish brands are specifically labeled as vegan, like NAILS INC. PLANT POWER LONG WEAR VEGAN NAIL POLISH IN SOUL SURFING ($10, target.com), or “-free,” meaning they are minus

potentially harmful ingredients such as formaldehyde, toluene and dibutyl phthalate (the big three), though you’ll see 7-, 17- or 16-free, like SALLY HANSEN GOOD. KIND. PURE. NAIL POLISH IN

CRYSTAL BLUE ($10, ulta.com), and even 21-free. Mainstream brands like Essie, Sally Hansen, Revlon and OPI have “clean” polish options. Keep nails healthy by massaging nail beds and cuticles

with oils and creams like BURT’S BEES LEMON BUTTER CUTICLE CREAM ($6, target.com) daily. When you do resume salon manicures, be sure to ask that cuticles be pushed back and not cut, and

apply sunscreen to the backs of your hands before a manicure if you do use UV light for gels. See your physician and avoid manicures if you have an allergic reaction, any sort of infection

(from bacterial to fungal), swelling of hands or fingers, or cuts or abrasions (especially if diabetic), or if you are having in-hospital surgery. Your true nail bed color during and after

surgery gives doctors and nurses an indication of healthy circulation.