What this post talks about : My foot pamper routine for tired and sore feet, dry and callused soles or for a relaxing spa day at home.
There is no greater pleasure than the orgasmic sensation of kicking your heels off at the end of a long day, and plonking on the couch with both feet up on the hand rest! And yet, day after day, our feet are often greeted with the same old step-motherly treatment – always coming second to skin and hair care. In this post, I wanted to share with you, my foot pamper routine – some of which I do on an everyday basis and some are saved for the days when my toddler is being kindly looked after by his grandparents.
To be perfectly honest, foot care is something I absolutely enjoy. It isn’t something I have to try to make time for. Clean, pretty feet turn me on. Yes, weird.
I have dry skin, which means I have dry soles and dry cuticles. I also have toenail ingrowths and have to ensure that I get a pedicure every 3 weeks unless I want to be limping and squirming while trying to put on gym shoes. I also have this weird thing of having my toenails always painted. It’s only when they start to yellow that I take a 48 hour break from painting. Someone once told me that applying white toothpaste on your nails makes the yellowing fade away. I have tried it and it works. That’s tip number 1 for you.
So let’s get down and dirty – here’s my foot pamper routine.
Foot Pamper Routine
Hydration
Drinking an optimum quantity of water is the most basic moisturizer for your feet. It’s free and kills two birds with one stone.
Pedicures
Visiting a local pedicurist once every few weeks (even if it costs big bucks) is worth every penny. Stop reading about home pedicure tips and let the professionals handle it. You don’t need a bleeding cuticle. Especially if you are diabetic (I’m serious). Also, what’s the fun in giving yourself a reflexology massage? Unless of course, your man has soft hands and is willing to help (at a cost – paid in kind. Ahem).
Soap and Soak
Do the simple stuff at home. Soak your feet in warm water in a large tub. To the water, you could add Epsom salts, some liquid soap, peppermint or lavender essential oils, and some vinegar. You could float some rose petals or dried crushed lavender for effect and for IG pictures.
Now, get yourself a cup of hot choco with mallows, play some Sunday jazz and stalk someone on social media.
Avoid using hot water as it saps your feet of the natural moisture and oils in your skin.
Exfoliate
Once the feet have been soaking for 10-15 minutes, wipe them off with a soft flannel and get ready to exfoliate. This can be done is many ways and depends on how rough or callused your feet are. Getting rid of dead skin cells is as essential for your feet as it is for your face.
You could use a pumice stone (after running it under warm water and some liquid soap) or a foot file (if you really need to). For a more spa like treatment, apply a sugar scrub (ideally one with coconut oil and some essential oils), a dead sea salt scrub, or any other rich granular scrub. Dip your hands in water, and then gently massage the scrub on to your feet and soles, careful not to rub too hard. Cover with a warm, moist towel and elevate feet for about 10 minutes. Continue social media stalking.
Nails – trim and clean
Wash the foot scrub off in some warm water. Move on to the nails. Considering that your pedicurist has done most of the donkey work, you just need to trim the toenails straight across rather than in a curved pattern to prevent ingrowths. File rough edges and you are good to go.
Foot masks
At this point, if you wish, you could apply a foot mask. I’m not mad about these but if you have a lot of time on your hands, you could try one. Remember to snap a picture of your feet covered in mud packs or green matcha masks. Show your boyfriend and enjoy the look on his face.
Moisturize and Massage
Moisturize your feet with a hydrating foot cream or lotion. Get someone to give you a small massage or do it yourself. Pressure points on your soles can relieve stress, release tension throughout the body, and improve circulation.
Nails – Paint and coat
If you are a nail paint freak like me, then go on with the therapeutic act of applying nail paint, slow and steady. Place polishes in the refrigerator so they go on smoother and last longer. Finish off with a top coat. Now sit still for 10 minutes, avoiding toe wiggles.
Bedtime
Generously apply a foot cream or an intensely thick, hydrating body butter to the feet and ankles. Massage gently till the cream absorbs completely. If you are on the lookout for a great foot cream, try The Face Shop Rich Hand and Foot Total Treatment. My bestie swears by it and her recommendations are always worth the penny. Unfortunately, this is not currently available in India; we can only hope that The Face Shop will open a store for us K beauty addicts.
Apply petroleum jelly or cuticle oil to your toenails if they are very dry. Slip your feet into some soft cotton socks. Sleep the sleep of your dreams. Wake up feeling pampered, rejuvenated and revived!
Practicing good foot care and hygiene is food for tired and sore feet that carry you through your super long days (and sometimes nights). They never get a day off, so take good care of them. Until next time, XOXO
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