Not everyone enjoys the experience of a salon pedicure, even the best. Says Shonali, 'In a salon, getting a pedicure is a fairly mechanical process. It's like a treatment, rather than a relaxing experience.' Here's how to get your feet looking and feeling great in the comfort of your home.
Take off your old nailpaint before you start. Keep your foot scrubs and cream, towels, socks and slippers handy. Make sure someone else is at home - nothing ruins a pedicure as does rushing out with dripping feet to answer the doorbell!
Clip, dip, scrub
Always cut and file your nails following the natural line of the nail, taking care not to cut into the nail bed. Pick a dualpurpose nail file - one end of which is designed to gently remove stubborn dirt from the toenails, and the other helps file your nails. Then sit back and dip your feet in warm, soapy water. Read a magazine or listen to some music to enjoy the soothing warmth. 'I have a special hotwater tub for pedicures,' says Shonali. 'I put in a nice bath gel and make lots of bubbles. It's very important for me that the foam should have a lovely fragrance,' she adds.
Get a good-quality foot scrub, pumice stone or foot-file brush to exfoliate the skin - the skin on the feet tends to get rough, so scrub well. Pick a foot-file if you want to control the degree of skin exfoliation - you don't want to scrub your feet raw! Once you have washed your feet and scrubbed away any dry skin and dirt, wipe them dry and tackle those ingrown toenails. (If they hurt you a lot, get them treated without delay.) Specialised products such as the corn-and-callus file and rough-skin-removing creams target common foot problems and are good buys.
Moisturise
This is a crucial stage. Lock in moisture with a good footand-nail cream while your feet are still plumped-out from soaking in water. 'Usually, I take out at least one Sunday in a month for a pedicure. I have a professional masseuse who comes over to give me a full-body massage after my home pedicure.
The advantage is that he knows exactly how much pressure I like for a foot massage. Then, I go out into my balcony and leisurely paint my toenails in my favourite shade. I like to paint my toes myself - it's part of the whole unwinding and de-stressing ritual of the pedicure,' explains Shonali. So, do not just buy top-quality beauty products for your face - your hardworking feet also deserve something special. Give your feet a treat, and see the difference in how you look and feel!
| Rate this article | Bad |
I was taking a gander at some of your posts on this site and I consider this site is truly informational! Keep setting up.. vegan friendly nail salon
ReplyDelete