Pedicures at home
Before you start, make sure you have all the tools you are going to need: file, nail clipper, nail polish removal, pumice stone (for hard and/or dry skin on the heels), warm water, a towel, and of course, lovely salts / foot soak-oils and lotion.
If you are wearing nail polish, first remove it (try to use acetone-free remover, as this is far less harmful for and less irritant on the skin). Then dip your feet into warm water, filled with some lovely bath salts / bath oils (many brands, for example Avon, sell the latter). You can use a pumice stone or a foot file to get rid of any dry and/or hardened skin on the soles of the feet and heels, or you can use bath salts / foot salts to gently exfoliate the whole foot (homemade recipe to follow).
Once the feet are soft, dry it with a towel and, if need be, cut your toenails. After all the work is done, massage lotion into your feet while it is still warm. This will help to not only absorb it quicker, but it will also help to lock in moisture. Now you can choose: you can either put on some cotton socks and leave it on for the whole day / night, or for a few hours, and then paint your toenails the following day. Or you can paint it after your manicure and then put cotton socks on. The socks will help to keep the feet soft while the lotion is doing its magic.
Here are a few easy-to-make recipes for a nice foot scrub:
A soothing Peppermint Foot Scrub
Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
Olive or coconut oil
Few drops of peppermint essential oil
Method
Take 1 cup granulated sugar and pour into a mixing bowl. Gradually add your olive- or coconut oil and mix together until you have a slightly wet, but grainy consistency. Add a few drops of the peppermint essential oil. Transfer the scrub to a container and use it to exfoliate, moisturize and soothe your sore feet.
Refreshing Lemon Foot Scrub
Ingredients
2 cups granulated sugar
1/4 – 1/3 cup Almond- or coconut oil
6 – 8 drops of lemon essential oil
Method
Combine the sugar and oil in a clean, dry bowl. Pour the oil slowly until you have a soft, wet-sand consistency. Add as much lemon essential oil as you like and work it into your feet for 5 minutes, before rinsing it off.
Milk Scrub Treatment for Cracked Heels
Ingredients
5 cups warm water
4 tablespoons sugar or salt
1/2 cup baby oil
Pumice stone
Moisturizer
Socks
Method
Pour 1 cup of milk and 5 cups of warm water in a foot bath tub or large basin and soak your feet for 5 to 10 minutes. In another bowl, pour baby oil and sugar or salt in and mix well. Mix it into a thick paste and apply all over your feet, by massaging your feet in circular motions. Using a pumice stone, gently scrub your dry / callused heels. Rinse your feet off and pat dry. Apply your chosen moisturizer and put some cotton socks on (either wear it for a few hours or sleep with it).
Homemade Foot Soak for Achy Feet
Ingredients
Hot water
2 tablespoons vinegar
Epsom salt or sea salt
Method
Fill a foot bath or large basin with hot water. Add the vinegar and mix in a handful of Epsom salt or sea salt. Soak your feet for 20 minutes. Repeat the mixture but use cool water and instead of soaking your feet, soak a towel in the cool mixture. Squeeze the excess water out and wrap the towel around your feet for 5 minutes. This can be done several times a day, if you have inflammation in or if your feet is just aching. The vinegar not only makes achy, tired feet feel better, but it also alleviates inflammation.
If you are low on nail polish, or you want a new colour but can’t find what you are looking for, why not pop over to my previous blog post, where I gave some easy DIY tips on making your own nail polish.
Sit back, put on some good music and/or light a candle, and give your feet the pampering they deserve. After all, together with your legs, they work hard every day!
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