nail varnish on discoloured toe

moneylover

One of my big toenails is yellow and I have great difficulty with nail varnish. My feet not that wonderful but I do like wearing sandals but not with bright varnish that draws attention to my feet.
So I quite like a basic browny soft pink kind of colour, the sort of colour that goes with most things. However because of the discolouration I lose the 'pinkness' of the varnish and have to put loads on as cover. Then I can get almost a brownish maeve look. Or with a slightly different pink I can end up with a nice orangy peach!
Its not the end of the world, but would like it to look better. But there is a limit with experimenting with varnishes, they are not cheap!
I wondered if I should be using a coat of white first or a clear pink - I feel there must be some room for improvement!
Thanks!
PS I do not want an acyrilic toe nail, my toe nail isnt overly well joined on (I have to keep it very short) and this could make it worse

glowgirl_2

There is a product that neautralises the yellow colouring, by appearance anyway, I had one ages ago from Tesco but I think lots of brands sell similar you could try a couple of layers of that before you use the colour you choose, also what about changing colours? Greige is very on trend atm, I have a nice one from 17, dense colour and lasts about 5 days before chipping (longer on toes) and only costs about £3.

This is it in Tigers eye http://www.boots.com/en/17-Fast-Finish-Nail-Polish_927316/

Just found the non yellow product too http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.209-8614.aspx

I would also check with the docs why your nails are yellow if its staining because of nail varnish or fake tan then fine but if its a fungal infection then you could get that treated and have lovely natural nails - hth:)

Bronnie

Definitely have it checked out, especially as you comment it isn't especially well joined on. If a fungal infection should be present , clearing it is a simple, but long slow process. Don't want to startle you, but google image "yellow toenail" if you need further reason to have it checked out!

I had the start of a slight fungal infection in my big toenail. Fortunately I go to the chiropodist regularly anyway, so it was noted and treated very promptly. I had thought the slight yellow discolouration was due to leaving bright orange nail polish for too long, but apparently not!

My chiropodist uses a little mechanical device each visit, to file down the top layers of all my toenails, big toe especially and this makes them look really nice, smooth, pink and youthful looking.:p Importantly, he advised should a fungal infection be present to go without nail polish as much as possible as this just seals the nail and further encourages the conditions fungus loves to thrive in. I tend to just wear it for an occasion now and remove it the next day.

Since I started my 2 monthly visits a couple of years ago, my feet have never looked and felt better. I think it is money well spent, (about £30 for 1 hour session every 2 months) as it forstalls any foot problems, which seem to become more common as you hit middle age! . Although a pedicure at the beautician is a lovely treat, I would prioritise my chiropodist appointment.

Anyway, I hope yours is just staining and sorry to go on so much, but without being alarmist, as you get older it is definitely something to nip in the bud as it can develop to be a very tenacious and yukky condition. Hope the info helps!!

moneylover

No, not fungal, it has been checked several times and have also had the treatment (7 months) just in case.
Unfortunately its a simple case of bad foot mechanics - similar to athletes getting black toenails if run too much
Should have said this in original post, but its good to see the posting anyway on fungals as in many cases this is what causes the yellowness so post may help other people.
Will try the yellow stuff, it seems to be out of stock in tesco hope it hasnt been discontinued!

Bronnie

That's good for you (in one way!!). Would gentle filing down of the nail surface improve things?

moneylover

I dont know - anyone - would filing help? Bronnie, you have yours filed at chiropodist what do you think? I had presumed the discolouration goes all the way through. My nail is nice and pink at the bottom then yellow after about quarter of an inch!
Any professionals on here?

Amanita_2

What brand do you use? I have a wonderful browny pink by Bourjois called Beige Glamour ( horrid name!). Goes with pretty much anything except perhaps orange.

It is really thick which gives excellent coverage. I used it a lot the summer I had a black toenail and it covered the black completely.

Bronnie

moneylover wrote: »

I dont know - anyone - would filing help? Bronnie, you have yours filed at chiropodist what do you think?
Any professionals on here?

Can't say for you, my problem is resolved now , but he uses the mechanical file thingy and thoroughly files all over the toenail surface every time and for me the filing does significantly improve the look of my big toenails especially. Wondering if it just means the pink of the nail bed is allowed to show through more easily?? Can only speak from my own experience!!

maybe there's a chiropodist here who can comment!

moneylover

Amanita wrote: »

What brand do you use? I have a wonderful browny pink by Bourjois called Beige Glamour ( horrid name!). Goes with pretty much anything except perhaps orange.

It is really thick which gives excellent coverage. I used it a lot the summer I had a black toenail and it covered the black completely.

well, that sounds wonderful, and i dont wear orange! Where do I buy this make of nail varnish?

Bronnie, you are right, it may be that the pink of the nail bed is showing through more...

Well, I certainly have some things to try, keep the suggestions coming - new pair of feet would be best!!

esmy

I have a similar problem with the second toe nail on each foot, probably because those toes are longer than my big toes and so are against the front of shoes all the time.
I bought this (I think from Home Bargains for £1 or so, NOT £10.20!)
http://www.scholl.com/en-GB/Scholl-Healthy-Nails---Nail-Brightening-System-/10026861/ProductDetail.raction
It seems to have worked well - I can go without varnish now but also use it as a basecoat for coloured varnish.

Amanita_2

moneylover wrote: »

well, that sounds wonderful, and i dont wear orange! Where do I buy this make of nail varnish?

Boots or Superdrug stock it - I think some of the larger supermarkets too. It's not one of the posh brands!

Good luck - I get through bottles of it. One of my summer favourites.