Spring season means sandals and strappy flats. So before you indulge into the spirit of spring and announce yourself sandal-ready, make your way through a super easy do-it-yourself pedicure for soft and smooth feet.
Feet say a lot about your personality. Clean, clipped nails and soft heels not only make you feel fresh, but also keep you hygienic. Nails can house innumerous microbes responsible for various diseases. Your feet need more care as you age, because with age appear cracked heels and dry cuticles. However, you are not alone. Here I have jotted down a few tried and tested DIY pedicure soaks that can help you soothe your beat up feet. Who does not like to pamper themselves, especially if it can be done with ingredients at home?
Before, going into the detailed recipes of pedicure soaks and foot scrubs you might need to know a few basic steps of pedicure if you have not ever tried it at home.
Step 1: Soak
You will need a basin full of warm-hot water depending on what you can tolerate. Various salts and soaps can be added to it to soften your cracked heels, strip off dead cells and soothe your tired feet. Remove your nail paint and dip your feet in the soak for 15-20 minutes or more if you desire. While the soak is working on you, you can flip through your favorite magazine, sip off a fresh lemonade or simply go through our besties profile on Facebook. Make sure you enjoy this time as it is time for you to pamper yourself.
Step 2: File
You will need a foot file for this step. A conventional pumice stone can also do. Place your feet on a dry towel and file your heels and soles. This will help remove dead cells that form dry skin on your heels that has now been loosened by the warm soak. Once you are done filing, wipe off your feet on the towel.
Step 3: Scrub
Again, different scrubs can be used for this step for soothing effects and remove away remnants of dead skin. Generously apply the scrub on your feet and massage till your flat feet are sufficiently soothed. This step will remove any particles of dry, rough skin. After you are done, you can either put your feet back into the soak if you want or wipe off the scrub with a towel. Make sure you wash your hands after this step to remove scrub emanates from your hands because often foot scrubs are a little harsh for your hands.
These three basic steps are required for removal of dead skin and to rejuvenate the dried up soles. The next steps are necessary for your nails and make the second part of DIY pedicure.
Step 4: Shape
Use a nail filer to file your toe nails in round or square shape, whatever you think you can manage better. You might need to cut your nails before you shape and smooth them if you have forgotten to do it earlier before soaking.
Step 5: Cuticles
Apply a moisturizing lotion over the base of your nails or a cuticle softener. Let it sit for a while and then push over gently under your cuticles with a cuticle remover. This can be a dangerous tool and can cause injury make sure you are using it correctly.
Once you are done with this, wash off your feet with warm water and dry thoroughly. You can apply nail paint after if you wish. Lastly, condition your feet with a quality foot conditioner/lotion.
Recipes for Soaks
Soak 1:
- 1 cup lemon juice
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ cup milk
Soak 2:
- 2 cups kosher salt
- 1 cup Epsom salt
- ¼ cup baking soda
- ¼ cup cornstarch
Soak 3:
- 4 tea bags of chamomile tea
- 1/8 cup dried parsley
- 4 drops essential oil
These soaks can be made in concentrated forms and stored in jars. A couple of tablespoons will be enough for a gallon of water to prepare the soak.
