1. Take off polish. Get the crusty remnants of your last polish job off your nails and cuticles before getting started.
2. Soak. Use your tub, a bucket or a fancy foot bath -- whatever you have is fine. Add your favorite bath salts or make your own. An easy recipe to try: 1 cup Epsom salts and a couple teaspoons of your favorite essential oil for aromatherapy (or just add a bit of olive oil). Great scents include anything minty or citrusy. Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties, so it's a great choice for stinkier-than-average feet.
Throw that into your bath, run some water and plunk in those piggies. Sit back and relax with a book or magazine for at least 10 minutes. Don't put a time limit on your soak; just don't get pruney. For a little added relaxation, add a handful of marbles to the bath and roll your feet around on them.
3. Soften cuticles. Rub olive oil or even a little Vitamin E on your cuticles to soften them. Let your feet soak for a few more minutes, then push cuticles back with an orangewood stick. Dry feet thoroughly.
4. Trim nails. Cut nails straight across with clippers - never scissors - and file with a good emery board. Don't cut the sides of nails, or you'll risk an ingrown nail.
5. Exfoliate. This is the most important skin care step for those of us who run around barefooted a lot during the summer. Sand and concrete can strip your skin of moisture, and wear and tear can create calluses. So it's important to spend some time on your heels and other areas that need softening. Start with a salt scrub (or sugar, if your feet are sensitive), and be sure to massage all surfaces of your foot -- even the tops and between toes. Rinse and dry feet well. Rub all callused surfaces with a pumice stone and rinse again. Dry thoroughly.
6. Moisturize. Grab your favorite thick, creamy lotion and slather it all over your feet. Anything peppermint-y will give your feet a refreshed, clean feeling. We like The Body Shop's Peppermint Intensive Foot Rescue or Lush's Volcano Foot Mask, which has natural antioxidants, such as fresh tomatoes and papaya.
7. Wipe toenails with polish remover. After all that moisture, you'll want to sweep nails with a bit of polish remover to remove any excess lotion that could keep polish from adhering.
8. Push back cuticles -- don't cut. This one speaks for itself. Take that orangewood stick and push back cuticles. Never use scissors to cut off cuticles -- you could risk an infection.
9. Separate toes and start painting. Keep smudges to a minimum by using toe separators. For two bucks, you can buy a pair at Sephora.com. Use a good-quality nail polish to make your manicure last. The experts swear by Essie or OPI. Both have hot new colors for summer, with Essie skewing toward the pink family. Try "Infatuation" for a coral, eye-catching hue. OPI goes bold with its Mexico collection, including hot fuchsias and lovely lavenders. Just be sure to use a good basecoat before applying your two coats of color, and use a topcoat to seal.
10. Let nails dry for at least one hour. Relax awhile with a magazine or book while your perfect toes dry.
You're now sandal-ready, so hit the shoe store or show off at the beach!
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| Toenail fungus infections and fingernail fungus infections can be cured with VARISI, a 100% natural and organic preparation. VARISI, the "formula for clean and healthy toenails and fingernails" cures toenail fungus infections and also fingernail fungus infections, even with artificial products such as acrylics, silk and fiberglass nails! |
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A fingernail or toenail can be injured by a blow to the nail or by closing the finger or toe in a door or drawer. This kind of trauma commonly results in blood under the nail, a condition called subungual hematoma. Nails also can be accidentally torn or split, or a splinter can get under the nail.
Repeated trauma to toenails, caused by ill-fitting shoes, can lead to deformities in the nails. The deformities may resemble a fungal infection; nails can be thickened or discolored and can lift away from the nail bed, which causes cosmetic concerns.
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