AARP Hearing Center
The Worst Summer Beauty Problems for Women Over 50
Tackle seasonal woes with simple tips for hair, skin and makeup
(From left) Banish summer beauty problems with products including Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo; Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Color in Fuchsia Fever; Que Bella Intensive Foot Mask With Ceramide & Coconut Oil; Venus by Gillette Pubic Hair & Skin Smoothing Cleanser & Shave Gel; and Mielle Rosemary Mint Clarifying Sugar Scalp Scrub.
AARP (Getty Images; Shutterstock; CVS, 4; Target)
Key takeaways
- Common summer beauty issues include brassy hair, cracked heels and scalp buildup.
- Simple fixes like purple shampoo, setting spray and foot masks fix seasonal damage.
- DIY options and targeted products can replace pricier salon treatments for extended results.
Hey, summer! We forgive, but we don’t forget. After months of layers, sweaters and coats, summer is back in all its sunny glory … and dragging a tote bag of annoying beauty woes. While incoming sandals, sunglasses and sundresses get a cheery welcome, their sidekicks — greasy makeup, brassy hair and splotchy self-tanner — sure don’t. Every summer, women greet these problems and more with the attitude reserved for seeing a bad ex: “Not you again!” How do I know? I’m a beauty and fashion editor and personal shopper for women over 50 who hears all and has solutions to share for the following eight problems.
(From left) Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo; Olaplex No.4P Hair Brightening and Toning Purple Shampoo.
AARP (CVS, Kohl’s)
1. Brassy, green or faded hair color
“My hair is now a weird brassy-bronze color.”
“Why are my highlights looking greenish?”
“The sun made my gorgeous silver hair drab.”
Sound like you? Hair color gone awry is a perennial issue. Blonde, red and gray shades fade; “pool-going” blonde goes greenish; and brunettes turn brassy. That’s because hair that’s chemically treated, dry, damaged or heat-styled is porous and soaks up chlorine, UV rays and saltwater like a sponge, and all affect the color. A swim cap can help, but most women (except for devoted swimmers) skip it. Hair pros often suggest rinsing hair with clear water before a pool swim so it absorbs less chlorine, then rinsing again post-swim using bottled water if you can’t get to a shower or a restroom tap. No one does this, either! The best DIY solution is wearing a hat in the sun to shield UV rays, and using a purple-toned shampoo (best for bleached, blonde, brassy or gray hair), like L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Purple Shampoo Neutralizes Brassy Orange/Yellow Tones ($11, walgreens.com); Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo ($20, cvs.com); or Olaplex No.4P Hair Brightening & Toning Purple Shampoo ($34, kohls.com), once a week in place of your usual product. How does it work? Purple is the opposite of yellow on the color wheel, and opposites cancel each other out. Think of how color-correcting concealer works: A peachy/orangey concealer counteracts purplish under-eye circles. In this case, purple shampoo (which stays on the hair a very short time — we’re talking 2 or 3 minutes) neutralizes any warm yellow or orange tones in the hair. Know that some purple shampoos, while they aren’t actual dyes, can temporarily stain fingers and nails. My advice? Wear disposable gloves.
(From left) Que Bella Intensive Foot Mask With Ceramide & Coconut Oil; Sally Hansen Spa Collection Hydrating Foot Mask; O’Keeffe’s for Healthy Feet Foot Cream; Eucerin Advanced Repair Body Cream for Dry to Very Dry Skin, Unscented.
AARP (CVS, 2; Target, 2)
2. Crusty feet and cracked heels
“My heels are so embarrassing in slides!”
“Can I exfoliate without using a foot file?”
“Can a nail salon improve my scaly feet fast?”
Summer is showtime for sandals, pedicures … and rough, calloused feet. You want your nail polish and shoes, not your foot problems, to steal the spotlight. After a winter in closed footwear, most feet could use a makeover. Remember that your soles have no sebaceous glands. They produce sweat, not oil, making feet prone to dryness, calluses and cracking at the heels — not a great look for sandals, slides or slingbacks.
For immediate repair, head to a nail salon or day spa for a paraffin wax treatment. Basically, your feet are soaked, gently exfoliated and dipped in melted paraffin wax to soften and hydrate them. The wax — which is odorless, colorless and very soothing — hardens. Your feet are encased in plastic wrap and thermal booties for 15 to 30 minutes, and buttery-soft feet are the great reveal. The cost is around $15 to $40, depending on the salon or if the wax is part of a bigger “deluxe” package, and the treatment delivers about two months of terrific tootsies. Those with diabetes or deep, painful cracks in their heels should see a board-certified dermatologist or podiatrist before any salon foot treatment.
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There’s a DIY alternative that’s also very effective. Start with a pre-bed foot soak in warm, soapy water (a bath can do double duty here). Pat your feet dry and exfoliate using a pumice or a scrub (skip the harsh files, you’re not grating cheese here). Rinse off any residue and pat dry. Finish with a generous slather of a rich cream, and slip on clean socks for TLC while you snooze. (The cream can be an ointment like Aquaphor or Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, a targeted foot cream or any thick body cream.) Look for softening ingredients and mild exfoliators. Good examples include Eucerin Advanced Repair Body Cream for Dry to Very Dry Skin, Unscented ($10, target.com), with urea and ceramides; O’Keeffe’s for Healthy Feet Foot Cream ($9, cvs.com), with glycerin and urea; and Soap & Glory Heel Genius Foot Cream ($10, walgreens.com), with alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). Or, for a 20-minute fix anytime, try a pair of disposable nourishing “booties” pre-infused with ingredients like shea butter and essential oils, like the Sally Hansen Spa Collection Hydrating Foot Mask ($7, cvs.com), with macadamia oil and shea butter; Patchology Rosé Toes Foot Mask ($11, nordstrom.com), with shea butter and strawberry oil; and Que Bella Intensive Foot Mask With Ceramide & Coconut Oil ($5, target.com). And no worries, your pedicure polish will remain pristine.
(From left) Nair Sensitive Formula Bikini Cream Hair Remover, Green Tea; Venus by Gillette Pubic Hair & Skin Smoothing Cleanser & Shave Gel.
AARP (CVS, Target)
3. A swimsuit means a bikini wax
“Love my new swimsuit, but not the fuzzy bikini line.”
“Hair down there makes me swimsuit-shy.”
“Everyone I know waxes, but I’m scared to do it.”
I hear all the above when women buy a new one-piece and panic about what that high-cut leg is revealing. My advice? There are at-home kits, but go to a salon or day spa to let a pro handle it all quickly and efficiently. Waxing removes hair at the root and leaves you smooth for three to six weeks, with no prickly stubble when the hair grows. You can just do a modest bikini-line cleanup — no need for a bare Brazilian. Cost is around $30 to $70, depending on the salon, and it can last four to six weeks. Waxing is a little painful, like a snapping rubber band, and there may be sensitivity or redness for a day or so. For a quick at-home solution to bikini-line hair, try an in-shower chemical depilatory, such as the Nair Sensitive Formula Bikini Cream Hair Remover, Green Tea ($7, cvs.com). It takes three minutes to work; always do a patch test first. Or go the shaving route with a specially designed razor, like the Schick Hydro Silk TrimStyle Women’s Razor With Bikini Trimmer ($20, walgreens.com), infused with shea butter serum for glide and hydration, plus a moisturizing shaving gel, like the Venus by Gilette Pubic Hair & Skin Smoothing Cleanser & Shave Gel ($10, target.com), with aloe and shea butter.
(From left) Mielle Rosemary Mint Clarifying Sugar Scalp Scrub; CeraVe Hair Oil-Control Balancing Shampoo; Dove Beauty Derma Scalp Oil-Control Shampoo.
AARP (CVS, 2; Target)
4. Greasy, itchy, stinky scalp
“I shampoo and condition as usual, but my scalp is still icky.”
“But I use dry shampoo every day!”
“It’s not dandruff, just gunk!”
Just splurged on a bunch of new claw clips, scrunchies and a sun hat? Perfect, but what about your scalp? High temperatures, humidity and sweat can lead to a buildup of excess oil, dead cells and product residue from dry shampoo and styling mousses that clog the scalp at the roots, causing itchiness and odor. See your dermatologist or doctor for severe scalp itching and irritation, since clogged hair follicles can exacerbate shedding and contribute to conditions like dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis or psoriasis. Try using an oil- and residue-zapping shampoo once a week in place of your usual shampoo, or twice a week if you shampoo daily in summer or have a truly greasy scalp. Don’t go overboard and make it a daily habit, because that can strip the hair of all moisture, causing the scalp to go into overdrive with even more oil production. Look for shampoos with soothing ingredients such as glycerin, coconut oil, aloe, shea butter, olive oil and ceramides. Good choices include Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Fortifying Shampoo With Aloe ($6, walgreens.com); CeraVe Oil Control Balancing Shampoo ($10, cvs.com); and Dove Beauty Derma Scalp Oil Control Shampoo ($10, target.com).
You could also try adding a pre-shampoo scalp scrub to the routine to remove residue at the roots. These scrubs may contain physical exfoliants such as sugar or salt, or chemical exfoliants such as AHAs. My advice? Try the physical exfoliating formulas once or twice a week for more control, using the pads of your fingers to softly massage away debris before rinsing. Try Christophe Robin Purifying Scrub With Sea Salt ($20, nordstrom.com); Mielle Rosemary Mint Clarifying Sugar Scalp Scrub ($11, cvs.com); or Kristin Ess Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub ($15, ulta.com) with sugar. All are safe for color-treated hair. Follow with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, plus a leave-in detangler to restore moisture and shine.
(From left) Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Hydrating & Waterproof Setting Spray; Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Makeup Setting Spray; e.l.f. Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist.
AARP (Kohl’s; CVS, 2)
5. Daily makeup meltdowns
“What happened to my glow-y makeup look?”
“Should I go back to wearing matte makeup?”
“I don’t want to wear face powder.”
All year long, women over 50 aim for a dewy, hydrated, radiant look. Then summer comes, and it all begins to slip, slide and shine like a disco ball. Unless you’ve been living on Mars, you know makeup setting sprays exist. But if you’re over 50, you probably haven’t tried one, thinking it’s a millennial/supermodel/celebrity thing, or reserved for a black-tie wedding. Not true! This final step extends the longevity of everyday summer makeup, from tinted moisturizer to foundation and even cream blush and bronzer. It can prevent smudges, smears and a slick look. The best formulas for mature skin won’t leave you bone-dry, which only highlights wrinkles and lines. Get a fresh finish with Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Hydrating & Waterproof Setting Spray ($25, kohls.com), alcohol-free with green tea for hydration; Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Makeup Setting Spray ($17, cvs.com), with hyaluronic acid; or e.l.f. Stay All Night Micro-Fine Setting Mist ($11, cvs.com), with green tea and aloe. Be sure to hold the spray 10 to 12 inches from your face, and close your eyes. While you could do an all-over mist, consider doing just the T-zone of forehead, nose and chin, where breakthrough shine is at its worst. This final step adds a radiant, healthy glow to mature skin.
(From left) Norvell Venetian Self-Tanning Mousse; Tanologist Tinted Self-Tan Mousse in Medium; Isle of Paradise Self Tan Face + Body Drops; Kopari Beauty Gradual Self-Tanning Face Serum; Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Sun Drops Sunless Tanning Serum.
AARP (Target, 2; Macy’s; Kohl’s; CVS)
6. Patchy, streaky self-tanner
“I want an even, sun-kissed look, not a tan.”
“I’m never sure where I missed spots.”
“Can I use tanning drops on my face and arms only?”
First things first: Toss last summer’s self-tanner. Like all beauty products, opened self-tanner has an expiration date and can produce a weak, streaky, greenish or off-color look. Be alert to a watery texture and rancid odor. You have two new options here: a natural-looking, sun-kissed look, or a serious beach-vacation tan. Tanning drops like the Kopari Beauty Gradual Self-Tanning Face Serum ($32, macys.com); Isle of Paradise Self Tan Face + Body Drops ($30, kohls.com); and Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Sun Drops Sunless Tanning Serum ($15, cvs.com) are the former choice. They’re risk-free and easier to maintain since you can adjust the color as desired, depending on how many drops you use: four, six or eight. The more drops you use, the deeper the color (drops are very concentrated, so never apply them directly to the skin). Mix them in the palm of your hand with your usual moisturizer, night cream or body lotion. Many drops specify “face-only” but can also be used on the body. If you want a richer fake tan, opt instead for a full-strength self-tanner mousse with a temporary tint, known as a color guard, which will show any missed areas. Try the Norvell Venetian Self-Tanning Mousse ($35, target.com); Coco & Eve Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Foam in Medium, Dark or Ultra Dark ($38, ulta.com); Tanologist Tinted Self-Tan Mousse Self-Tanner in Light, Medium or Dark ($20, amazon.com); or the St. Moritz Advanced Color Correct Tanning Mousse in Medium ($18, jcpenney.com). The tint is the point. During the application, it keeps track of where you apply color and where you’ve missed spots. And here’s a bonus — all are formulated with a cool-toned base so you never get a fake, orangey tan. Final tip: Be sure to apply self-tanner or tanning drops not only to your face but also your neck, arms, chest, back and legs to avoid revealing untanned spots all summer long when changing outfits.
Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Color in Fuchsia Fever.
AARP (CVS)
7. Salon gel manicure-pedicure disappoints
“My gel manicure has wrecked my nails!”
“I tried to peel it off myself.”
“Should I just buy drugstore gel polish and do it myself?”
Summer is major mani-pedi time — just ask any nail-salon owner. A long-lasting gel or dip powder mani-pedi can take the stress out of waiting for chips to appear and can last anywhere from two weeks to a month, but problems still happen. Mostly they result from incorrect polish removal. The technician may have used a drill to remove the polish and damaged the nail bed, or you couldn’t get to the salon and tried to peel the gel off yourself. If you notice any sign of damage, just head back to the salon and complain. When getting gel nails, always ask the nail tech to use a soak-off gel formula to make polish removal easier. In this case, acetone-soaked cotton balls are applied to the nails and then wrapped in aluminum foil for 10 minutes. Not every mani-pedi has to be a salon one. A salon gel mani is about $25 to $50, and polish removal costs about $10 to $20, so it adds up. You might splurge for an upcoming week away or a summer wedding. Consider a DIY gel polish that requires no UV lamp or special application and comes off with regular nail polish remover. You’ll get a week’s worth of color, high shine and a mood boost, and have the flexibility of changing your color more often. Try a spirited, tropical alternative to red, such as Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Nail Color in Fuchsia Fever ($13, cvs.com); Essie Gel Couture Long-Lasting Nail Polish in The It-Factor ($14, walgreens.com); or OPI Infinite Shine Gel-Like Lacquer Trip to the Brite Side Collection in Lei Out in the Sun ($14, ulta.com).
(From left) Eucerin Itch Relief Intensive Calming Lotion; Cetaphil Restoraderm Eczema Rapid Relief Cream With 2% Colloidal Oatmeal.
AARP (CVS, Target)
8. Is it heat rash?
“I can’t wear that low-back dress — I have a rash.”
“My swimsuit makes me itch.”
“Could my sunscreen cause redness and torso bumps?”
I’m not a dermatologist, but summer rashes do fall into the everyday beauty and style domain. Treat any sudden redness, rash or itch ASAP with a cool shower, and switch to wearing loose, airy clothing in light, natural fabrics such as cotton or linen. Your rash may just be heat rash, which is temporary, caused by trapped sweat, and common on the torso in hot weather. Cooling off helps, but it can take a day or more to settle down. Basic over-the-counter products designed to calm and heal the skin’s barrier layer can offer immediate itch relief. Try Aveeno Eczema Therapy Daily Moisturizing Cream, Fragrance-Free ($24, walgreens.com), with colloidal oatmeal and ceramides; or Cetaphil Restoraderm Eczema Rapid Relief Cream With 2% Colloidal Oatmeal ($12, target.com) — both are accepted by the National Eczema Association. Eucerin Itch Relief Intensive Calming Lotion ($17, cvs.com) is fragrance-free, with cooling menthol and ceramides made of fatty acids and amino acids that help protect the skin. Some creams indicate that they treat eczema, but you don’t have to have eczema to reap the benefits.
Summer rashes may also be triggered by an allergic reaction to a combination of new medication and sun exposure, rubber swim goggles, nickel in the buckles of sandals, or a never-been-washed tee that contains irritating chemical dyes. A rash can also be caused by a new product: anything from sunscreen, self-tanner or body lotion to a laundry detergent or fabric softener. If it persists, see your doctor or dermatologist and follow a few preventative tips. First, always do a patch test for unfamiliar products, even from brands you have used before. Choose an inconspicuous spot, like your inner elbow, and wait 24 hours before applying all over. Wash all new clothing before wearing with a gentle, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic detergent free of dyes, and do a thorough rinse. And change out of a wet swimsuit ASAP. It could be that you’re allergic to chlorine or another chemical used in pool water.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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