Hi Everyone, Cape
Town’s summer is here in all its glory, so ladies please make sure your feet comes
out of winter hibernation, there’s nothing worse than seeing scary looking feet
in pretty summer shoes
I prefer to
do my own pedi’s firstly because I’m insanely ticklish and will probably kick
the therapist in the face when she
touches my feet and giggle hysterically and secondly I’m deathly shy of my feet (I
have ugly foot complex) although my loving boyfriend thinks they are utterly
adorable.
Here’s what I
do once a week: Seems like a schlep but it really doesn’t take that long, watch
a few episodes of Sex and the City or Big Bang Theory while you do it J
Step 1: Soak
those puppies Don't cheat yourself out of the foot soak
just because you're doing your pedi at home. This step does more than clean
your feet and makes you feel amazing, it also softens dead skin cells in
preparation for exfoliation. Firstly remove all traces of old polish, then fill
a foot spa or plastic container with luke warm water, I use Avon’s Foot Works or the Oh So heavenly range by Clicks but if
you want to go the natural route do a teaspoon of tea tree oil (to banish
bacteria), and a half cup of Epsom salts (to rejuvenate), and three drops of
peppermint or rosemary oil (to heal and freshen). Soak your feet for 5 to 10
minutes. I like to leave it in longer, it relaxes me.
Step 2: Scrub off dead skin to slough off rough spots, look for exfoliants with medium-size grains,
like sugar and moisturizing agents such as jojoba or almond oil. (One option: Avon
Foot Works Beautiful Thermal Exfoliating Scrub R70, (www.avon.co.za).
Massage each foot for a minute or two with a quarter-size blob of scrub. Start
at your heel and work your way out to your toes, ankles, and calves using tiny
circular motions. Rinse off with warm water.
Step 3: Buff
away bumps now it's time to smooth down nasty calluses
(come now ladies we all wear heels, we know they are there). Wet a pumice stone
or lava rock, and coat it with a little body wash, such as Dove Go Fresh
Burst . Using a back-and-forth motion, lightly scrape your heels, the
bottoms of your feet, and your toes. The key is to be gentle—you want to abrade
only the very top layer of skin, not rub your flesh raw. And don't even think
about attacking calluses with a razor blade! If you have corns (the devil when I
comes to summer feet) a good product to use is carnation corn plasters (FYI do
not use it 2 days before going out, I learned that the hard way, it looks
hideous before it gets better)
Step 4: Trim and file Using a strong steel clipper made specifically for toenails (try Sally
Hansen Comfort Curve available at Dischem and Clicks), trim your nails
straight across, then smooth the edges with a nail file (a glass file is best).
Giving them a slightly rounded shape helps prevent painful ingrown nails.
Step 5:
Moisturize and massage Drench your
soles with a moisturizing product made especially for your feet. I like Dr
Sole Foot Butter (R30, Clicks); it has shea butter and sweet almond
oil to add and lock in moisture and intensely moisturize your feet. I sometimes
wrap my feet in cling wrap to let the product really set in.
Using a circular motion,
massage a quarter-size dollop of cream all over your feet and lower legs. Then,
with the knuckle of your index finger, press down gently into the arch of one
foot and knead; repeat on the other foot. The mini massage will relax your feet
while boosting circulation, which reduces swelling.
Step 6:
Polish First, swipe your nails with a non-acetone
polish remover (acetone will damage your nails) to get rid of any cream residue
left over from your foot massage. Insert foam toe separators or roll up a paper
towel and weave it through your toes. Next, apply a clear basecoat—the formula
should contain protein, vitamin E, and/or calcium, all of which will help
strengthen brittle nails and prime them to hold on to polish longer. Try Sally
Hansen 4 in 1 complete care
Now
you're ready to apply color. This summer's pedi colors are not for shy
girls—we're talking hot pink, mellow yellow, berry shades and juicy
tangerine. Starting just above the cuticle, sweep the bristles down the center
of your nail toward the tip of your toe. Then sweep color on each side and
across the edge of your nail. After you've done all 10 nails, add a second
coat. To prevent chipping and seal in color, layer on a finishing topcoat.
The summer favorites for
feet are:
1. Avon Color Trend Nail Enamel
in Mint Ice R49.99
2. Revlon Brilliant Strength Nail
Enamel in Intrigue R94.95
3. Bourjois 1 Seconde Nail Enamel
in Lavande Esquisse R89.95
4. Tip Top Nail Chic
in Pot-O-Berries R39.95
5. Essence Colour & Go Nail
Polish in Flashy Pumpkin R19.95
6. Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme
Wear Nail Color in Mellow Yellow R59.95
Once my colour is on I spray it with Avon's liquid freeze and they are dry in 30 seconds, lastly massage in a few drops of cuticle oil (I use Bio Oil). It will pump
up shine and creates a barrier to protect against smudges.
And
there you go, perfect summer feet
xoxo
Shoe-Aholic
