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

Jasmine Vanilla Pillow Mist - Hot Mamas Know

Thanks to a post at MicheleAgnew.com, I have a post for HotMamasKnow.

One of the little things I do to pamper myself at night before I go to sleep is spritz Jasmine Vanilla Pillow Mist from Bath & Body Works on my pillow. I spritz a little on and then get ready for bed while letting it dry. It smells lovely and I do think it helps me relax more and fall asleep faster. We all know a good night's beauty sleep is imperative.

Hot Mamas Know: Eye Secrets

Since you are supposed to play up your best feature, I always keep my lips simple, and play up my eyes.

Disclaimer: This is geared towards my skin complexion which is very fair, but with tone changes should work for anyone.

First, I occassionally always have dark circles under my eyes, so I use a yellow tinted under eye concealer. The yellow neutralizes the purplish tone of dark circles.

Second, I use a light pink or light cream (depending on the shadow going over it) eye base across the entire lid. This keeps my shadow in place for the evening and prevents creasing, which is especially obvious if you use more dramatic colors for a special occassion.

Third, I use a white or very light pink pencil to line inside the lash line, not too heavy. This helps your eyes appear more open and awake, especially helpful when you are sleep deprived.

Fourth, I use a bit of white shimmer powder up by the eyebrow arch. Again, this serves to help your eyes appear more open and awake and draw attention to your eyes.

Then I apply eyeliner, shadow and mascara as usual. If you haven't had much sleep lately and your eyes are a bit red, go with a blue toned shadow. It helps your eyes appear less red.

I use Clinique, but I'm sure you can find similar items in most cosmetics lines.
These are the products I use:

They no longer carry my favorite undereye concealer. This one works, but not as well, so I'm up for recommendations.

Fair Airbrush Concealer

Touch Base for Eyes in Light Canvas or Petal Shimmer

Sephora Slim Pencil in White

Colour Surge Eye Shadow Soft Shimmer in Sugar Sugar

Hot Mamas Know

Ok, I'm sure some of you are wondering what that last Hot Mamas Post was all about. It was getting late and with no explanation I interrupt our regular programming to jump in talking about body oil and scrubs. So, here's the scoop.

Jen over at Absolutely Bananas has come up with a way for women (real women!) to share their beauty secrets. What works, hopefully even some of what doesn't so we don't all make the same mistakes. I love this idea and will be posting my favorite beauty tips on the 1st of every month, along with lots of other women. Click on the Hot Mamas Know graphic to find all the tips and learn more. Hopefully, I'll be able to get my hands on some of the recommended items, not always easy in ND. What would a girl do without the internet?

Oh, and next month there will be an EXTRA SPECIAL Hot Mamas Know PARTY GLAMOUR edition, woohoo!

Velvety Soft Hands

I go through this routine about once a week and just love the way it makes my hands feel. A similar oil, scrub, cleanser routine was used on me during a manicure, and I just adapted it to use products I could find easily.

I douse my hands well with Neutrogena Body Oil, it's a light sesame oil.

Then I put about a dime sized about of body scrub in the palm of my hands and massage my hands thoroughly, especially my cuticles and nail beds. St. Ives Apricot Scrub is easy to find just about anywhere, I use Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula.

I rinse this combination off and lather with whatever moisturizing body wash or soap I have handy, usually Oil of Olay or Dove Body Wash.

Of course, don't forget to moisturize your hands daily as well. This is especially important in the winter months.