One (or two) of the most neglected body parts are hands & feet.
Some of us might think only washing these will be enough, some even neglect to do so. (Creepy, I know!)
Our hands and feet first show signs of age, so what you are doing or not doing to these parts are going to show eventually.
Before I start writing about the taking care part, I have to share a little story with you all.
When I was taking the course for Beautification (makeup, skin care, hair dressing), the day they were teaching us how to do a Mani-Pedicure, I volunteered.
I had never done my Mani-Pedi by a professional. So I was clearly very excited!
I sat down on the chair…the lady looked at my feet and exclaimed, “Her feet are already clean. Where should I do the pedicure?!”
I should have taken it as a compliment but somehow I felt offended.
If you know or see the real story behind spas’ or parlours’ Mani-Pedi story… you may shudder!
Some of the clients never ever touch their feet (cleaning is a distant story!)
Some are so “busy” that they hesitate to do a simple thing like cutting own nails.
Yup!
These stories made me feel sick too… but if some of us would not hesitate to do things by our own, the spas would not have any customers and also who does not like pampering, right?
Anyway, back to our “taking care” part.
Today I am showing some guidelines on how you can do your own Mani-Pedi at home without costing major bucks.
Enjoy!
NAIL CARE:
You can cut the nails of your hands any shape you like. There are many shapes to choose from.
Here are some examples:
As for me, I like to keep my nails just a little beyond my finger tips and in a squoval shape.
For feet, it’s better to cut the nails square. If you cut those in an oval shape, there is a chance of hang nails and infection.
Some words of advice:
- Do not use your nails as instrument….like a can opener.
- If you are a nail biter, please stop doing it.
- If you use nail polish regularly, give those babies a break and spend some nail-polish free days.
- Cut your nails short at the first sign of breakage.
- Do not cut cuticles! [The cuticle is the skin that grows from the finger onto the base of the nail or nail root.]
Push the cuticle gently back with an orange wood stick or a soft cloth.
CLEANSING:
- You do not have to do anything extra if you take care of your hands and feet daily at the shower.
- Keep the washing part for the last. Because the water from your body will soften the skin of your feet so when you brush your feet after cleaning your whole body, the process will be easier.
- Use a pumice stone to slough away calluses if you have any.
- Clean your feet at least twice daily, in the shower and before going to bed.
MOISTURIZING:
Yes I know I always keep saying “Moisturize this, Moisturize that” but trust me, one day you will thank me for this!
Most of the time, we never moisturize our hands after washing it. Some may say, “Who has the time?!”
Well, if you just add some little steps in your everyday life, these will not feel like extra work.
- Take an empty hand-soap container (or anything with pump).
- Mix 1 part olive oil (or baby oil or coconut oil) with 3 parts water.
- Keep this concoction near your sink, so that everytime you wash your hands you can just take a pump and apply it onto your hands. Just shake well before you use.
BONUS TIPS!
- If you don’t want to splurge in any hand creams, keep a little jar with your usual body cream in your purse. Whenever you wash it, or feel like it’s getting drier (due to seasonal change or AC) just take some and massage onto your hands & digits.
- After shower and before going to bed moisturize with a thick cream. I use Nivea body lotion at day time and petroleum jelly at night. It’s inexpensive and widely available.
SUN PROTECTION:
Please do not; I repeat, DO NOT forget to apply sun protectants when you are going out at day time.
Some of my readers complained about their dark feet.
Well, most of the darkness cause due to exposure to sun, for some it’s genetic and for some it’s just accumulation of everyday dirt.
So if you want to avoid early spots and wrinkling, do apply sunscreen.
HOW TO GET RID OF THE DARK SPOTS
Our hands and feet are continually subjected to everyday wear & tear. So sometimes those need extra care.
Here is how you can create spa-esque experience at your home.
- Take a bowl with warm water.
- Add 1 teaspoon of baking soda [it is a wonderful exfoliant!] You can also make hands-feet scrub by using 3 parts Baking Soda and 1 part water.
- Slice a lemon and put it in the mixture [for freshness and anti-inflammatory property]
- Now put your hands or feet into this mixture and let them soak well.
- Take a large brush (for feet) or a small unused toothbrush (for hands & nails).
- Clean under your nails, the upper and lower part in gentle circular motion.
- Wash the entire residue in clear water.
MASK TIME!
If you want, you can skip this step. But this mask is really helpful for removing dark spots. You can see the change even after the 1stuse.
What will you need:
- Lemon- 1
- Potato- 1
- Turmeric- 1
- Milk- 1 tbsp
Process:
- Cut all the ingredients and blend well. Add milk.
- Apply the paste onto your hands and feet and let it sit for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash with cool water and moisturize as usual.
- You can apply this mask once or twice per week. But you must use sunscreen if you use this mask.
So readers, You won’t get back the feet or hands like a baby with these tips, but if you follow these for at least 1 week and you can see the difference!
Don’t forget to write me if you have any questions!
9 comments
[…] If you buy an expensive & drool-worthy shoe and wear it on your dirty & unkept feet with chipped nails- it is just sad! Have a quick look at my previous article on how to do at-home pedicure. […]
Yup…that's a bummer. But if you use Vaseline at night, it works as a charm!
Hey awesome post…i always use a moisturizing lotion after everytime i wash my hand..in fact i keep handwash and lotion side by side everywhere so that i dont forget…and been using body butter for my feet because though glycerin and vaselin's would provide better care they makes me kind of slippery 🙁
You are most welcome Sarah! I am glad that you liked my article 🙂
Fantastic post. I have to wear heels everyday and my feet need extra attention to look even halfway decent. Can't imagine how people can turn up for a pedicure with dirty feet though. *shudder* Thanks for the pro tips.
http://skinperfecting.blogspot.co.uk/
From a local beauty school. I will post details about that later.
Oh! I forgot to mention that. Thanks sweetie!
Greeat post! It irks me too!
You can also ad a litle bit of shampoo in the dark-spot removing treatment. And then using jhawa clear away all the dirt and massage you hands and feet in that! It absolutely works wonders! xx
http://www.agirlsfancies.blogspot.com
where did you take your beautification course?