Your feet take you everywhere. They allow you to walk, dance, swim, squat, but, sadly, they are the most neglected parts of the body. Chipped nails, cracked heels, tanned skin, dry ankles – you name it, and your feet endure it without complaining. Women who make an extra effort, taking long hours in grooming and dressing well, often overlook their cracked heels and withering cuticles. An easy DIY pedicure at home can offer a heavenly feeling without troubling your feet to visit a salon or a spa.
Here are few things that you need for your DIY routine — pumice stone, nail brush, loofah, file, nail cleaner, cuticle pusher, moisturizing cream, nail cutter, acetone, herbal shampoo, lemon slices, a tub of hot water, marigold flowers, honey, and towels. After collecting these items, you are ready to start a self-help pedicure session.
1. Dead Skin
- Clean your nails with acetone – wipe off the chipped nail paint. Trim and shape them as it pleases you.
- Add some fresh lime slices, and marigold petals to a tub of hot water. Massage little cream or honey on your nails, and dip them in a pool of hot soapy water.
- Once the nails and skin have softened, clean them with a brush. The pumice can rid your feet off the dead skin – brush it gently over your heels. Remove any dirt or cuticles with the nail cutter.
- Rub the lemon slices on the skin to remove tan, and pat it dry. Use a loofah to smooth out the dead skin.
- Mix 2 tsp of both honey and cream, and massage your skin with the mixture. Wipe off the extras with a hot towel.
2. Tired Feet
Tired and aching feet ask for a good massage. Here is how you can pamper your feet while sitting at home.
- Take 2 liters of hot water in a tub, and add two cups of each – pine needles or leaves, rose petals, and peppermint oil.
- Add to it, few marbles and small pebbles with smooth corners.
- Massage your feet with castor oil, and soak them in the tub. Rolling heels over the pebbles can help you relax.
- Clean your feet with a towel, and rub a lemon massage cream over your feet.
3. Cracked Heels
Regular foot care can keep your heels crack free. Here are some natural remedies to heal cracked heels.
- Clean your feet with a pumice stone, nail brush, and pat it dry.
- Use sandalwood or sesame oil to massage your feet. Even a moisturizing cream would do.
- Melt a candle in a double boiler, and rub it against your heels when it is slightly cool. Allow it to solidify.
- Sleep with your socks put on at night. Peel off the solidified wax in the morning.
- Follow the same procedure daily for a week, and feel the difference yourself.
4. Chipped Nails
Chipped or peeling nails cause different layers of the nail to flake off. Here is what you can do to curb it.
- Trim your nails closer to the end of the fingers to help them go stronger. This might mean sacrificing your long and natural nails, but remember they will eventually grow back healthier.
- Hydrate your fingernails with vitamin E and jojoba oil.
- Mix 1 tsp of gelatin in half a glass of water, and drink it daily for two weeks.
- If your nails are discolored because of applying nail paint repeatedly, rub lemon slices on them to bring back their natural healthy color.
- Wear rubber gloves while cleaning around the house or washing dishes. This will protect your nails from harmful chemicals, and longer immersions in water, which can otherwise cause peeling fingernails.
These simple DIY methods can keep your feet happy. Next time when you strive for slender and beautiful legs, do spare some time to tend your feet as well.
Note
You might have observed that salons or spas use hot towels to wipe the skin after waxing. This can leave the pores open and susceptible to infection post vaccine. If you are waxing your legs and feet at home, prefer using an antiseptic cold compress to wipe the skin after waxing.