Bobbi's Eye on Beauty and Fashion

We've supported you for years and do you appreciate it? No, you just continue to put more pressure on us and make us sweat. Do we ever get in the spotlight? Hey!! Its your feet speaking. Look down and see what you've done. Well ladies, its time to take care of those tootsies. Spring is here and its prime time for sandals and open toed shoes. So let's care for those we've walked upon for so many years with some TLC and  nice spring colors. As with  our hands we need to soften, exfoliate and groom before we add the polish. 

First, we should care for our feet and toe nails a regular basis. It takes many months to recover ignored feet.. If you have problems, such as discolored, heavy calluses, corns or worse, see a podiatrist. The processes I will tell you about will work just fine on normal rough feet. Prepare for your pedicure by assembling a good tool kit. Here is a nice one.

Find all the tools and products you need in the  manicure and pedicure department at Drugstore.com Here is a divine product that I have used. Must have! HoMedics StyleSpa Elite Deluxe Manicure & Pedicure System With Nail Dryer

Tissues may be handy toe spacers, but they can slip and smudge. Try a foam toe separator (1) instead. La Cross Smooth-lt Foot Wand (2). The more you use this exfoliating file, the less time you'll need to rub in the tub            Revlon's Cuticle Keeper (3) has both a rounded and a slightly sharp edge to push cuticles without damaging them. Sharpen with a file every other use.  The Revlon Cushion Shaper (4) files quickly but gently. Replace every other pedicure.  The Orly 3-Way Buffer (5) has extra-fine surfaces for getting nails smooth.  Orange sticks (6), available at most drugstores, double as cuticle pushers and polish correctors. Twist an inch of surgical cotton around the tip to protect skin. If Indiana Jones were to give himself a pedicure, he'd use a Tweezerman Power Toenail Clipper (7). The company will even sharpen it at no charge (it should be honed once a year).  Just a drop of QTica 112 Time Polish Drying Accelerator(8) on wet polish makes your pedicure nearly indestructible. Sally Hansen Double Duty (9) works as a strengthening base or a polish-preserving topcoat.

Shape:

Nail Tip's

• Make sure nails are totally dry before cutting - wet nails are more prone to tearing.
• Don't use cuticle nippers to cut your nails. - You'll end up with torn nails and dull nippers.
• Don't cut nails too short or they will be more prone to becoming ingrown.
• Shaping nails with a metal file can weaken them - use an emery board instead.  

Cut the nails directly across, leaving a tiny edge of white. Shape with a coarse emery board positioned slightly under the nails; the result should be softly rounded squares. Using a fine-grain file, smooth the edges. If the nail surfaces are ridged, gently buff them with a disk-shaped file or fine emery board. File at least twice a week. If you you nylons regularly, smooth the edges every time before wearing them.

Soak and smooth:
Rest feet in warm water for ten minutes to soften dead skin. I really like to extend this time to about a half an hour in a vibrating foot bath and add some baby oil and foot salts.   Then brush with a pumice stone or foot file (add lotion for extra softening). Don't even think about using a razor to remove calluses and corns. You risk severe cuts and infection. See a podiatrist instead. Work in a circular motion, changing direction every ten strokes. (If using a file, loosen skin with the coarse side first.) Repeat every third shower. A wonderful addition to this is taking a paraffin dip after. You wouldn't believe how soft you feet will be. In the long term, my feet have softened significantly. If fact my right foot is very smooth and callus free (took over a year)

Push back cuticles:

• Don't scoop or dig at the cuticles. Doing so will leave you with a groove in the nail. To push cuticles back, use a straight, downward motion instead.
• Don't cut cuticles with cuticle nippers, callus shavers,  or nail scissors. Chances are you'll hurt yourself and spread infection. These tools should be used carefully only  to snip torn bits of skin and cuticle.

Rub lotion into the nails and cuticles. Using an orange stick (twist an inch of surgical cotton around the tip to protect skin)-or a Q-Tip dipped in olive oil (baby oil works well too) - gently push back skin at the sides and base of the nails. Tempting as it may be, do not cut away excess skin. Run the orange stick under nails to clean. Finish by slathering lotion over feet and ankles.

• Clean your tools with soap and water or with antibacterial spray after each pedicure.

Until next time Walk softly,

Bobbi