8 Tips for Pretty Feet

Our feet are often the most neglected part of us. We simply shove them into some kind of footwear that may not even fit them properly, and expect them to take us through the day without complaining.  During summer your feet are more than likely to be on show as you wear flip-flops and sandals to beat the heat. You may even go around barefoot at home or the beach. If your feet are not looking their prettiest, here are some tips to make up for your neglect of them.

• Wear shoes or sandals that actually fit well. Otherwise you’ll end up with ugly – and painful – corns and calluses, not to mention blisters on your feet.
• Tired? Soak your feet in a dish of warm water with a teaspoon of olive oil and a few drops of rose essential oil mixed in. Don’t leave them in any longer than 15 minutes though, or they may look more like a prune. Pat them dry and rub in moisturiser.

• Remove the hard, rough skin on the back of your heels and anywhere else it happens to be. You can use a pumice stone and do it while your feet are wet, or you can purchase one of those hard skin removers from the chemist. Some are like sandpaper on a stick, while others revolve.
• Exfoliate your feet along with your face. Pat dry and add moisturiser.
• Change from one shoe style to another through the day/evening. This lets different foot muscles be used and rest each time.
• Spend time walking around the house or lawn in bare feet. It can really help your feet to become strong, the way nature intended them to be.
• Make sure you wear natural fabrics for socks and slippers. Manmade fabrics don’t breathe and will make your feet perspire, causing athlete’s foot and fungal nail infections.
• Wash your feet before bed, even if you don’t shower until the morning. Feet tend to sweat, even in cotton socks.
• Remove old polish before applying new, leaving your nails free of polish for a few hours in between applications. This lets them breathe and build up strength, since polish can wear them down.
• Trim your nails on a regular basis, but don’t cut them too short as this can be as painful as too-long nails.
• Use a thick cream to massage your feet, but take care when you get into the shower or walk around without shoes as this can make them slippery. Coconut oil is especially slippery in the shower.
• If you live in an area with hard water, use purified water to soak your feet. Have a bath instead of a shower so you can add a softening agent to the water before stepping in. Your feet and your skin will both thank you.