A pedicure is a cosmetic treatment of the feet and toenails, analogous to a manicure. Pedicures are done for cosmetic, therapeutic purposes. They are popular throughout the world, and especially among women.
Pedicures include care not only for the toenails; dead skin cells are rubbed off the bottom of the feet using a rough stone.
And the best part is that you don’t really need to head to the parlour but can do it all by yourself in the comfort of your home. Just get hold of a few things and you are good to go.
File your toenails
The first step to getting a pedicure done is to cut the toenails and file them well. Most often we skip on the filing process, but it’s required for a neat and clean look.
Make a foot soak with Himalayan pink salt
Use a powerful detoxifier like Himalayan pink salt and dissolve it in water. It tends to draw out toxins from the adipose tissues, resulting in the body feeling more energised. It also further reduces muscle soreness and cramps. Dip your feet in the soak for 10 minutes before moving onto scrubbing.
Scrub your feet
Use a foot file or a pumice stone to gently rub away the hard skin or to smoothen cracked heels. You could use scrubs with kernels of apricot, almond, walnut or pine nut, as these make excellent natural polishers without being too harsh on the skin.
Make another foot soak with essential oil
Add an essential oil of your choice to your foot soak, to make the process a bit more relaxing. Use a rose oil as it is hydrating, antimicrobial and good for sore muscles and cramps. It is also a mood enhancer and helps dissipate anxiety. Lavender is another great option, if you are looking to go to bed straight after the regime. Peppermint, thyme, tea tree, and eucalyptus essential oils are also antibacterial, deodorising, analgesic and refreshing. Cedarwood and basil oils work well for soreness.
Moisturise the feet and cuticles
After scrubbing and removing dead skin, you need to moisturise the feet to soften it. You could use nourishing oils such as almond or coconut oil or opt for rich hydrating creams that contain natural butters like almond, cocoa, shea, mango, and kokum (mangosteen).
Oil massage
For those who enjoy oil massages, you could add in this extra step. Use natural herb and spice formulations, blended in healing oils, to chase away stress. Sesame oil is a quintessential go-to oil in Indian households. Massage oils with pain-relieving pepper, camphor, ashwagandha, manjishtha, lavender or sandalwood are ideal too.
Final clean-up
For a fuss-free, efficient clean-up of the oil, wrap your hands or feet in a hot towel for a few minutes, then gently wipe your feet as you pull the towel off.
Apply nail paint or put on socks
You can apply a pretty nail paint neatly and head out or put on a pair of socks on your feet so that the warmth and moisture of the cream remain locked in. This is a helpful tip, especially if you are going to bed straight after, so all the creamy hydration soaks into your skin through the night.
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