How often do you have a pedicure, even a DIY one busy mama?
There's nothing worse than having to take your shoes off or pulling out your summer sandals only to find rough, cracked heels, raggedy toe nails and blisters.
Summer may feel like a long way off still, but if you want to be 'beach ready' this summer it pays to start earlier rather than later!
Not to mention the importance of taking care of your feet all year round. After all, they carry us thousands of steps each and every busy day, so surely our feet deserve a treat?
Follow our tips and you'll have summer ready feet in just 7 easy steps.
Summer Ready Feet, Only 6 Steps Away
Our often-neglected feet take us anywhere and everywhere we want to go, but they also take lots of abuse, and even pain.
Keeping up with busy kids, working, running the home and doing everything else we do means super over-worked, super tired feet!
Did you know that a typical day of walking exerts a force equal to several hundred tons on your feet?
No wonder they feel tired or achey after a busy day of walking or standing!
Don't you hate that burning feeling you get when you've been on your feet all day?
Whether you busy with kids, working in a shop or striding about the office in high heels, we all know how sore that can be!
I swear by ball of foot cushions to soften the blow, they really work!!
How to Treat Common Foot Problems
1. Blisters, corns and bunions
Oh those pointy toed shoes are so stylish and cute, but boy do they make your feet suffer!
Wearing better fitting footwear can really help to prevent these common ailments, as can using ball of foot cushions to prevent your feet sliding forward in your shoes.
You can get corn treatments over the counter so consult your local pharmacist, but you will need to see a podiatrist to treat bunions, although wearing shoes with a more open toe box will help too.
Blisters heal best when left open to the air, so get off your feet and take your shoes and socks off to help them heal - great excuse to watch a movie with the kids!
2. Hard skin
Use exfoliating products to prevent or remove hard skin from your feet.
There are various types of foot scrub exfoliating treatments, pumice stones and files on the market to choose from.
While you’re in the bath tub scrub your feet and heels with your favorite body scrub to keep them soft and smooth then apply foot cream or a good hand cream and cotton socks on top.
If you have very dry skin use an ultra moisturising cream on your feet.
Apply after a bath or shower and then place socks on your feet, which will help them to become extra smooth and moisturised by morning and ready for those open toe sandals.
A DIY pedicure once a week is the ideal way to get your feet in tip top condition and keep them smooth.
How to Do a DIY Pedicure
One of the best ways to revive your tired toes is with a pedicure because when your feet feel good, your whole body feels refreshed and energized.
While you're at it, treat your feet to a massage for a special treat. It's the ultimate self care for us busy running around all day mums!
Here's how to get some serious self care with a DIY pedicure at home:
1. Soak
First, soak your feet in warm water, you can add bubble bath if you prefer, to soften dry, stubborn skin.
2. Soothe your soles
Smoothing away calluses and rough dry skin on the heels, balls and sides of your feet will make them feel better.
Use a pumice stone or foot scrub. You can even make your own DIY scrub by combining olive oil and sea salt.
3. Dry up
After soaking feet, make sure to thoroughly rinse off the scrub and drying thoroughly with a soft towel.
Pay close attention to drying any moisture between the toes, which can can lead to athlete’s foot or other fungal infections.
4. Snip nails
Toenails should be trimmed to just above the top of each toe.
Use a straight-edged toenail clipper to ensure nails do not become curved or rounded in the corners.
5. Shape up
Smooth nail edges by filing toenails with a good quality emery board.
File lightly in one direction to smooth the edge of the nail without drastically rounding the corners of the nail, don’t saw back and forth.
Remember that your cuticles serve as a protective barrier against bacteria entering the body and should never be cut or pushed back too far.
6. Moisturise
Moisturise and protect your feet by using a rich cream or foot butter.
For severely cracked heels or tough calluses, apply moisturiser again before bedtime.
Wearing socks to sleep will help to keep heels moisturised and soft.
7. Polish up
If you are going to polish your nails, wait till the next day and wipe your nailes over with warm water before strating.
Bear in mind that nail polish locks out moisture and doesn’t allow the nail or the nail bed to “breathe”.
Paint toes only if you have healthy nails and remove polish regularly with a non-acetone nail polish remover.
Your feet can look great year round with a little care and proper footwear, bear in mind that taking care of your feet today will prevent future problems.
Remember to use sunscreen on the top of your feet when wearing open sandals, flip-flops or going barefoot at the beach, too. And don’t forget to reapply after coming out of the water.
Follow these basic tips to keep your feet in good health and ready for year-round exposure, not just for those cute spring and summer sandals!
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