soft & pretty feet for the summer

Summer = sandals.  Sandals = everyone gets to see what horrible shape your feet have been in all winter.

So I've created a step-by-step tutorial to help you beautify your feet and get them into tip-top shape for the summer.  It's quicker and less expensive than getting a professional to do it--both pluses in my book!

1. Remove all traces of old nail polish with non-acetone remover.

2. Cut and file nails.  I like to do this first because it's easier to clip and file the nails while they are still dry.

3. Place your feet in a tub of very warm water (adding in Epsom salts or essential oils are optional).  Soak for about 5-10 minutes.  This step is very important, as it allows for the dead skin to come off more easily. After the soak, gently push back cuticles with a cotton swab.

4. Apply an exfoliating foot scrub and rub vigorously all over (I used this apricot scrub.  It's made for the face, but I also use it for my elbows, knees, back and feet).  Take a pumice stone and buff away.   Concentrate on rough areas like the heel and the side of the big toe. 

5. Scrub the entire foot with a soft brush to slough away the leftover dead skin.  Rinse off.

6. Pat-dry with a towel.  Apply a cream, like cocoa butter, and massage into feet.  The richer the cream, the better.  When done, wipe the excess cream off your toenails with a towel.  The nails need to be dry when the polish is applied or it may not evenly distribute.

7.  Apply a clear base coat to prevent staining and to help the color last longer.  Feel free to put cotton balls or toe separators between your toes, if necessary.

8. Choose a fun color for toes and apply 2 coats.  Once you've completed the color, take a cotton swab and dip in nail polish remover.  Carefully remove all traces of polish on the skin.

10. Apply clear topcoat to prevent the color from chipping.  Sometimes, I skip this step if I'm under a time constraint.  Or if I'm lazy (which is usually the case).

11.  Once dry, slip on your sandals and pose!

*Bonus tips:

• If your hand isn't very steady, go for a nude, sheer or shimmery color.  The "coloring outside the lines" is less visible.

• Avoid using a razor to cut off calluses.

• For a super express pedicure: skip the 10 minute soak; apply a sheer nude color so that you can spend minimal time and effort fixing mistakes.

• If all else fails, just slip on some closed-toe flats!

-jillian m.