Beauty From the Bottom Up

When most people think of beauty treatments, they usually think of their eyes, face, neck or hands. Alas, they rarely think of the poor foot. We often treat our hard-working feet with little regard. Perhaps because they fail to give away our age the way our hands can, we neglect to properly moisturize, care for or pamper them.

It’s time to turn the tide. Even if you’re not about to slip your peeps into a pair of open-toed sandals, give them what they deserve — make your feet feel and look the best they possibly can.

We expose our feet to punishing experiences throughout the day. We stuff them in shoes that don’t fit properly, shove them into boots that don’t allow them to breathe, walk outside without protection when we’re feeling too lazy to slip something on, and subject them to odd microorganisms in the shower at the gym.

In fact, we rarely think of our feet until they start to hurt, develop cracks or even form a blister. Taking some time to care for your feet on a regular basis can prevent these problems from happening.

A professional pedicure is a wonderful experience for both you and your feet. You don’t have to visit a beauty salon to treat your feet to some luxury: you can simulate the experience at home for much less.

Taking care of your feet

• Remove old nail polish with a cotton swab soaked in nail polish remover.
• Soak your feet in the bath or a hot tub of water. The water should be pleasantly warm, but not uncomfortably hot. For a special treat, add some Epsom salts or your favorite bath salts. Soak for at least ten minutes. Make the most of this time by reading a book, watching TV or just relaxing. If you have a foot bath or foot spa, you’ll enjoy additional bubbles that increase circulation and relaxation. If you don’t, the heat from the water will increase circulation just as well.
• Gently scrub each foot with a small foot brush or stiff bristled brush. This removes any dead skin cells after the outer skin has had a chance to soften. Rest each foot back in the water after it’s been scrubbed.
• Apply a foot scrub lotion to any rough areas remaining on your feet. You can also use a pumice stone to exfoliate dry or rough skin. Apply the pumice stone to your foot using a slow, circular motion. Allow your feet to relax in the warm water some more after you’ve completed this step.
• Dry your feet on a soft towel, being careful to remove all moisture between the toes. Then rub your feet with a generous dollop of lotion of your choice. Peppermint or lavender lotions are popular for feet — they promote all-over relaxation and are soothing to rough skin. Take your time — massage the lotion into the feet for a relaxing wrap-up to your luxurious soak.

Adding Style

• Just as you do with your fingernails, it’s important to shape and care for your toenails. After your hot soak, trim and round your toenails using a clipper and a file. Carefully, using a cuticle stick, push back the soft cuticle. But don’t push too hard or tear the cuticle — this can hurt and lead to an irritating subsequent infection.
• Apply a clear base coat of nail polish to even out the ridges and uneven parts of the nail that naturally occur. Allow sufficient time for the base coat to dry before adding a color coat. A bright, bold color adds some flair to your toes and draws attention to your feet, but a more neutral or lighter color complements a more conservative personality. It’s best to apply several light coats of color, allowing plenty of time between coats to ensure that they have dried. Use a small cotton-tipped swab to remove any nail polish on the skin or cuticle of the toe. A final coat of sealer or clear polish will prevent scuffs or chips. Allow this coat to dry completely before you attempt to walk around or put on socks or other footwear.

A home pedicure doesn’t have to be difficult, and will help your feet be healthy and beautiful. To keep them that way, take care to buy shoes that fit properly and don’t pinch or confine your feet. Also, wash and dry your feet completely to eliminate bacteria that may cause foot infections.

It’s important to monitor any cuts or scrapes on your feet. Stubborn foot wounds that seems slow to heal can sometimes be a sign of diabetes. If this might be a problem for you, seek medical attention immediately to prevent complications.