Summer is finally here! You can’t wait to be out in the sun, go to the beach and wear those beautiful strappy sandals. But are your feet ready for summer?
I personally count the days for summer since I love everything about it…….. especially wearing flip-flops and sandals. But since I live in Boston, my feet are covered and hiding in boots for six months out of the year and they are not in the best shape at the end of winter! Good thing I owned a nail salon in my previous life and learned few tricks on how to get them ready for summer in no time.
Let’s be honest, nothing comes close to a full-blown professional pedicure. But you still have to care for your feet in between pedicures to keep them baby soft. Here is what you can do to pamper your feet at home.
- Soak your feet in warm/hot water with Epsom salt and few drops of your favorite essential oil for 10 – 15 minutes. This will help soothe your achy feet and, reduce swelling due to summer heat and soften any dry spots or calluses. Also, lets face it, soaking feet is relaxing, soothing and reduces stress ; ) Only soak your feet once a week or every other week as soaking them daily might actually make your feet dryer.
- Dry your feet with a clean towel. ( Warm it first for extra pampering feeling).
- Use a foot scrub to exfoliate and remove dead skin or dry spots. You can make your own scrub by mixing sugar with beauty oil - I love using our Camellia Oil. Mix the sugar and oil to make a thick paste and apply all over feet, massaging in circular motions. Tip: you can use this scrub on your dry knees and elbows as well ; ). Finish with pumice stone or foot file on callused heels.
- This step is optional - use a cuticle stick to push your cuticles back. Then use a nail file to file your toenails. If you choose to apply nail polish, make sure to apply a base coat first to prevent toes from staining and wait few hours until your polish is completely dry before you move to the last step. (And few hours before you go to bed! Otherwise you will wake up to nail polish stained sheets).
- Finally the most important step is to moisturize your feet. Mix Oil, again I love using our Camellia oil for this, with warm honey and lemon, divide it into two plastic bags, place your feet in the bags, massage the mixture on your feet and then sit and relax for 10 minutes. Rinse it off and your feet are now sandals ready.
If your feet are extra dry then use one of these two overnight foot masks:
- Massage your feet with Camellia Oil mixed with coconut oil then put on socks and go to sleep. You will wake up to silky smooth feet
- Add few drops of Camellia oil to cocoa butter or your regular moisturizer. Massage feet and put on your socks. Your feet will be soft as a baby bum
And here you have it, five simple steps to get your feet ready for sandals. Please share your favorite feet pampering tips.