Most people live in sandals in the summer, but before you go baring your feet, you're going to have to check them for calluses, rough patches and ingrown toenails. Find out how to give your feet some some TLC before putting them on flip-floppin' display!
Soothe Your Soles
Although our feet get a lot of wear and tear, we usually end up neglecting them! So here's an eye-opening fact for ya - by the time we hit 70, we will have walked the equivalent of four times around the world! That's why it's important to give your feet some serious lovin', especially during the summer when they're constantly exposed to the sun, surf, sand, as well as the eyes of everyone around you.
The Perfect Pedicure
A pedicure isn't exactly a manicure for your toenails. Sure, it involves applying nail polish, but it's also about exfoliating, massaging and moisturizing your legs, feet and toes. Besides making your feet look super sweet, pedicures are cool cuz they make you feel really pampered! If you don't have the cash to head to a salon, here's how to give yourself a professional at-home pedicure.
- Remove old polish with a cotton ball dipped in non-acetone remover (acetone can dry out your cuticles).
- Cut your toenails straight across using a nail clipper. Don't cut the sides cuz it can cause ingrown nails.
- File and smooth any rough edges with a nail file.
- Soak your feet in warm, soapy water for about 10 minutes. Then use a pumice stone to remove calluses and any other rough areas, and scrub your feet and legs with an exfoliator.
- Rinse off and massage in a rich foot cream that's packed with refreshing ingredients like mint and aloe vera.
- Apply a clear base coat, starting in the middle of each nail. Then add two coats of color and finish with a final clear top coat, but wait two to three minutes between coats. You may want to use a toe separator for this step.
Last Minute Tips
Keep in mind that it can take up to an hour for nail polish to fully dry, so wait as long as possible before slipping into your flip flops. Pedicures should last two to four weeks, but to make your pedi look as good on the last day as it did on the first day, stroke the top coat up and over the tips of your nails, and add a fresh layer of top coat every four to five days to protect the polish and add shine.
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- Battling Foot Disease
- How to Combat Smelly Feet
- The Body Shop Lemongrass Foot Polish Review
- More Summer Tips!
