Pretty Feet

Picture this, a nicely dressed female walking toward you and you happen to look at her feet. Its summer time and she has on sandals. No problem! Well there is a problem, her feet were not included when she decided on her attire for the day. Her feet and toes look terribly neglected. They may be clean but they don't complement her in the way they should.

This scenario is not uncommon, especially during the warm summer months. Summer is that  time of the year when the boots and shoes are put away. And out come the beautiful sandals, sling-back shoes, and other shoe accents that add a special touch to the most casual of outfits.

To make sure their feet look their best, most people invest special efforts toward making their feet look especially attractive. People either spend money to make their feet and toes look great or they have their own pedicure sets they use to make sure their feet look as attractive as possible.

Feet bear a great responsibility by carrying the weight of our bodies. They are kicked around and they are expected to transport us from one place to another. As the expression goes, "they are the work dogs of our body." It goes to say, feet deserve the care and attention we give them and more.

A good way to care for the feet is to make sure they are placed into the appropriate shoe for the appropriate activity. Protecting the feet includes wearing the size shoe that fits comfortably and safely on the feet. Some people purchase shoes a size smaller than needed. Such an action leads to a number of foot and skeletal problems later in life. Some people purchase shoes a size larger than they need. The same problem arises later in life. A larger shoe than needed results in a lack of support and the food slides around in the shoe causing unneeded calluses and skeletal problems.

The best advice is to purchase shoes that fit comfortably. Occasionally have the feet professionally sized and fitted to assure proper fit throughout life.

Spring and summer weather often signal to people its time to free yourself from the heavy clothing of winter and dress as beautiful as the season suggests.The hot weather of summer is also a strong incentive to put boots and tight fitting shoes away for a few months. But long before warm weather arrives, feet require attention. It is especially important to keep the feet clean and well moisturized during summer and the rest of the year. The pedicure is a year round foot maintenance program that help keep feet ready for any season of the year.

People often choose professional pedicures for a number of reasons. One reason is for the few minutes of pampering a person receives while their feet are being professionally maintained. The second reason is the professional application of toenail polish that make the feet look brand new, and pretty enough for any pair of summer sandals or shoes they may wish to wear.

For those times between professional pedicures, it is easy and relaxing to do your own pedicure. If you've never done your own pedicure, try the following basic steps you can do on your own. As you become more comfortable with home pedicures, you will learn to apply techniques that are unique to your taste.

The home pedicure requires a few basic items that you probably already have in your bathroom. If not, they are readily accessible at any store you may visit.

How to Give Yourself a Pedicure

1. Examine your toes and make sure there is no old toenail polish left on them. Or examine your toe nails for chipped and cracked toe nail polish.
2. With nail polish remover, wipe all the unwanted polish off your toes. Use a cotton ball or a cotton swab. Be careful not to place used cotton swabs or cotton balls on the counter top, the nail polish remover could damage the surface.
3. Some people prefer using bath salts and olive oil to remove unwanted nail polish. You can also use bath salts and olive oil soften dry callused feet.
4. Place your feet in a warm soapy tub of water. Adding a little Epsom salt, olive oil, and bath salt softens the feet. If you like, a few drops of your favorite oil scent will add to your pedicure pleasure. Lavender oil scent will help relax you as you progress through the pedicure.
5. After the skin softens on your foot, exfoliate with a pumice stone scrubber. It will gently remove dead skin and leave behind soft new skin. Never use a razor to remove dead skin from the feet. Razors could cut the delicate skin and leave an opportunity for infections and bacteria. With a soft towel, wrap wet feet and dry them thoroughly.
6. Immediately after drying feet, clip toe nails, making sure all edges are smooth.
7. Push back cuticles with an orange stick. Do not cut the cuticle off, they protect the toes from infection and bacteria.
8. Select your favorite foot cream or lotion and gently message onto the foot, top and bottom. Allow the skin to absorb the cream or lotion.
9. Apply your base coat polish. It will allow your favorite nail polish to better adhere to your toe nails. Next, apply you favorite nail color after the base coat dries. Finally, apply the top coat to the nail polish. This acts as a shield which gives your nail polish lasting power. The top coat also protects the nails from chipping. It will take about half an hour for all the nail polish to completely dry on your toe nails.
10. Protect your nail color during the first half hour of drying by putting on a pair of flip flops.When you are sure your toe nails are dry, any shoe or sandal will be safe to put on.
11. Keep your pedicure looking new by applying touch-ups every 2 or 3 days. If you see chipped nail color sooner, its time to repair the discolored nail with a little nail polish.

Everyone wants their feet to be pretty, especially during the warm weather days. A few basic steps will ensure your feet looking naturally elegant in any shoe you select for your outfit.

• Make sure your feet are always clean and free of grime.
• Make sure the shoes or sandals complement your feet and legs.
  
• Keep toe nails polished and free of chipped or cracked edges.
• Make sure your heels are free of hard, dead skin.
• Keep the feet moisturized.
  
• Make sure there are no hairs growing out of your toe skin.
• Decorate you feet with toe rings or nail art.

There is nothing like that favorite summer shoe or sandal. A few basic pointers will help you select the perfect shoe or sandal.

Ankle strap shoes are sexy and highly complement any outfit you choose to wear. If you have thick ankles and calves, avoid ankle strap shoes. The shoes tend to broaden the size of your ankles and calves. They also bring your body closer to the ground.

Flat shoes complement most body types. They wear well with almost any outfit from a dress or skirt of a pair of slacks or jeans.

Flat sandals are both versitle and sexy. They wear well with shorts, dresses and pants. They wear more like an accessory than a shoe because people have such a large selection of styles and colors to choose from. Sandals with delicate thin straps are not complementary to people with large feet.

All of the styles of shoes mentioned above may be made of any fabric, any color, or any design. They may be embellished and they may be metallic colors. The important thing is to select a shoe style that complements your feet and body type.