When was the last time you had a pedicure? If you’re like most of us, then it has been a while. We tend to have more pedicures in warmer weather, don’t we, when we can show off our feet in pretty footwear and bright, sparkly nail colors? But, once winter comes along and our feet are stuffed into socks and bulky, covered footwear, caring for them takes a backseat.
Feet don’t care what the season is. They tirelessly toil away, year round, taking us to see wondrous sights and bearing our whole body’s weight. They deserve extra love, especially during wintertime when the contrasting cold weather outside and hot air inside takes its toll and you end up with – cracked heels or rough, peeling skin. But, with a little care, you can have smooth heels and pretty feet all year through.
The thing with beauty routines is that establishing them seems daunting. So, for starters, let us simplify the routine into 3 Ms - Massage, Maintain & Moisturize. Massage at least once a week. Maintain, that is, exfoliate, at least thrice a week. Moisturize daily. That seems doable, doesn’t it?
MASSAGE
It is best to start all massages with a foot soak. A warm foot soak does wonders, not just for your feet but your general frame of mind. It takes away the tiredness of the day and comforts you. Soak feet for a minimum of 10 minutes and then rub in your favorite oil and massage each foot in a circular fashion for a few minutes. Wash and pat dry, when done.
To better the experience, add Epsom salts to your hot foot soak. Commonly found in most stores, this mineral salt, which is actually, Magnesium Sulphate, has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. When added to a hot water soak, feet absorb some of minerals and get a magnesium boost. This relieves aches and pains and de-stresses you. But, as with everything in life, too much of a good thing can end up being bad for you. Use the salts once or twice a week; not all the time.
MAINTAIN
When in the shower, use a pumice stone or a foot file to gently remove dead skin and rough spots. Or, as soon as you are out of the shower, or have just had a foot soak, use a foot scrub. If you choose not to buy commercial foot scrubs, you can easily make your own. One such DIY scrub is obtained by mixing equal parts of coconut oil and sugar. Remember to store DIY scrubs in an airtight container. Rub the scrub into your feet and keep for a minute or two. Rinse off, and pat dry. They do wonders for your feet.
MOISTURIZE
After the initial scrubbing and polishing, your feet will need only regular moisturizing. Don’t skimp on this. You must moisturize daily to keep feet soft. This becomes all the more important in the cold, winter months. Again, if you don’t want to use commercial moisturizers, use oils that are readily available in your own kitchen – coconut, olive or sesame. Every time you step out of the shower, rub on your favorite lotion or oil onto your feet.
For a more deeply moisturizing routine for your feet, tend to them at night. Wash and pat your feet dry. Rub in generous amounts of lotion or oil onto your feet and pull on socks to keep the moisture contained. It is best to wear socks made of natural fiber like cotton or wool that wick away moisture. Avoid synthetic blends that retain moisture. Change your socks daily.
Fungus loves to grow in tucked-away corners and damp spaces. Don’t let it. Avoid moisturizing between your toes. Trim your nails and don’t let them grow too much. A good rule of thumb is to align your nails with the tips of your toes. If your cuticles are flaky, rub coconut oil or Vaseline into them.
With all this TLC, your feet are now ready to be shown off. Color them! Bright, cheery colors are the perfect pick-me-up for the cold, dreary winter months. Paint on a base coat to avoid nail discoloration and top it with your favorite color. A sparkly nail polish will add that extra bit of magic to your day.
Always remember,
“Massage, Maintain, Moisturize, repeat
That’s the mantra for Happy Feet!”