Fabulous Foot Pampering

Setting aside time for a regular treatment will help you to care for your feet and keep them healthy all year round. A pamper session once a month will greatly improve their appearance, and will also soften the skin and help boost the circulation. You can also do it to pep up your feet at the start of the summer or before going on holiday. You’ll need at least an hour to do the treatment properly – or you can really indulge yourself and take two hours for the session. Use this as a time to relax – you will find that focusing on your feet is a great way to forget about day-to-day worries.

Foot Pamper Routine:
This routine uses the luxury foot scrub(Recipe given below). If you don’t have time to make this, buy one that includes essential oils so that you can benefit from their soothing properties. You also need foaming bath or foot gel, a large foot bowl, one large towel and two smaller ones, two plastic bags that are large enough to slip your feet into, a pumice stone and pedicure tools.

• Half fill a large bowl with warm water. Place the bowl on a large towel on the floor. Add a little foaming gel, and perhaps a couple of drops of essential oil which have been diluted first in a carrier oil. Swish the water around with your hand to create plenty of bubbles and to release the aroma of the essential oil. Put both feet into the water, then sit back and relax as you soak them for a good five minutes. Remove your feet from the bowl and rub on the floor towel to remove most of the water.
• Put a towel on your right knee and rest the left foot on top. Massage the foot scrub all over the sole, paying extra attention to any rough skin, and rub into cuticles. Place your foot in a plastic bag and secure it.
• Repeat on the right foot. Wait ten minutes, then remove the bag from the left foot, sliding it firmly down the foot to remove the foot scrub. Do the same for the right foot. Dip both feet into the water. This will have cooled down, so it will stimulate the circulation.
• Remove your feet from the bowl. Place your left foot on the right knee. Take the pumice stone and rub over the sole. Use firm pressure on the heel and ball, and light pressure on the arch. Now rub the pumice all over the top of the foot, using light pressure. This helps to improve the skin texture and bring nutrient-rich blood to the surface, which will help improve the appearance. Repeat on the left foot.
• Trim the nails straight across, then smooth the edges with an emeryt board. Use a cotton bud (swab) to apply cuticle remover, wait a few minutes, then gently push the cuticle back with a hoof stick. Soak the feet again, then carefully clean under the nail. Dry the feet, then apply base coat, polish and top coat, using cotton wool to separate the toes and allowing each layer to dry before applying the next.

Luxury Foot Scrub:
The following recipe is an excellent cleaner and softener for the feet. It can be used whenever you feel they need a boost. For the best results, though, set aside enough time for a long pamper session.
Ingredients: 5 ml/1 tsp each almond oil, jojoba oil and glycerine – to nourish and soften the skin; 5 ml / 1 tsp each Fullers earth and rock salt – to soften and cleanse; 10ml / 2 tsp foaming foot or bath wash – to cleanse the skin and soften the cuticles; 3 drops essential oil – for aromatic feel-good factor. Choose whichever oil you like best, or use a blend; mandarin and geranium, or lavender and lemon are relaxing, cleansing combinations.
In a small clean bottle, mix the foaming wash, essential oil and glycerin. Shake and set aside while you prepare the other ingredients. Put the Fullers earth and rock salt into a medium-sized dish and mix together. Mix in the almond and jojoba oils. Add the glycerin mixture to the bowl, and mix all the ingredients together with a metal spoon. You should now have a runny paste.

Lemon Verbena And Lavender Foot Bath:
Ingredients: 15g / 1/2 oz dried lemon verbena; 30ml / 2 tbsp dried lavender; 5 drops lavender essential oil; 30ml / 2 tbsp cider vinegar.
Put the lemon verbena and lavender into a basin and pour in enough hot water to cover the feet. When it has cooled add the lavender oil and cider vinegar. Sit down and immerse your feet in the bath for 15 minutes. After soaking your feet in a footbath for ten minutes, use a loofah or nail brush to scrub and deep-cleanse, then use a pumice on the dead skin all over the soles of the feet. Pat them dry, then give your feet a quick massage using a blend of neroli and lemon essential oils well diluted in almond oil. Dry your feet thoroughly afterwards.

Caring For Your Feet: A pedicure will help to keep your feet attractive and healthy. You will need a few special items, but because they will last a long time they are definitely a worthwhile investment.

• Nail-polish remover: It’s a good idea to choose a conditioning one.
• Cotton wool (cotton): Ideal for removing nail polish and also useful for separating toes while you paint them.
• Nail Brush and Orange Stick (Tip covered with cotton wool): Useful for cleaning under the nail.
• Hoof Stick or cotton buds (swabs): Vital for pushing back the cuticles.
• Toenail Clippers: These are often easier to use than scissors.
• Emery Board: Toenails are harder than fingernails so you’ll need a strong one.
• Cuticle Remover: Invaluable for softening and loosening the cuticle.
• Nail Polish and a clear top coat: Great for sealing polish and preventing chipping.