Pretty Feet for Summer - Hot Mamas Know

We are just starting to warm up here. So my thoughts are drifting to sandals and capris and it's about time I give myself a good pedicure.

This are the steps I always do and all told it probably takes me about an hour, because I dawdle and watch tv/read magazines and relax and sip wine while I do this.

Things to get together:
free time
exfoliating scrub (Recipe for Sugar Scrub below)
wash cloth (rougher, cheap one, not the good soft ones)
nail buffer
heavy moisturizer (shea butter, vaseline, etc)
cuticle oil or olive oil

Optional:
wine
bonbons
magazines/tv
a container big enough to comfortably put your feet in (dish tub size works well, I keep on in the bathroom for storage and use it just for pedicures)
epsom salt
cuticle pusher
file
nail clippers
lemon juice/acetone
cotton balls
nail polish
cotton socks

Sugar Scrub
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 cup olive oil, sesame oil or Neutrogena sesame bath oil (love this stuff!)
optional: 3-4 drops peppermint oil (don't use if you are going to bed shortly it makes your feet feel tingly and might be distracting)
Mix together well in a small bowl
Enough for 1 pedicure

Step 1 (skip if you don't have much time):
Fill the container with very warm water and 1/2 cup of epsom salt, soak your feet as long as you want (I usually soak about 10-15 minutes)

Step 2 (do this after shower/bath if you skip step 1):
Exfoliate your feet well, place the exfoliating scrub in the washcloth and vigorously scrub down the bottoms and sides of your feet, be gentle on the top of your feet. Use a pumice stone in particularly problematic areas. Rinse. Pat Dry.

Step 3:
Gently push back your cuticles with either your finger or a cuticle pusher.

Step 4:
If your nail length needs tending to, do so now with the file and nail scissors, remember nails should be cut straight across to prevent ingrown toenails.

Step 5:
Buff nails. I like the Revlon Wonder-Buff, there are two grit levels and a soft shining pad on the back.

Step 6:
Lather on moisturizer, I love Shea Butter, Vaseline or other thick moisturizers for this step.

Step 7 (if you have time):
Use acetone or lemon juice to remove the moisturizer from your nails.
Polish them as you normally would (I use a base coat, then 2 coats of color, then a top coat, letting each dry between).

Step 8:
Massage olive oil or cuticle oil into your cuticles, I love Sally Hansens Cuticle Oil with Vitamin E for this step.

Step 9 (if you are going to bed):
If going to bed, put extra moisturizer on your heels, then slip cotton socks on your feet to keep the moisturizer on your feet not your sheets.




Products Pictured:
Bonbons and Wine
OPI Nail Polish
Colors (Upper left clockwise): Skinny Dip'n Lake Michg'n, Melon of Troy, Lunch at the Delhi, Strawberry Margarita
Neutrogena Body Oil
Revlon Wonder-Buff
Sephora Pumice Stone
Vaseline
Sally Hansen Cuticle Oil with Vitamin E