Best Foot Forward: DIY Tips to Get Your Feet Ready for Spring

January 28, 2014April 28, 2014 dotcomwomen

As winter is slowly winding down it’s hard not to think about spring. Shopping for fun, flirty, warm weather clothing and shoes can be a great way to battle the last of the winter blues. However, your feet may still be out in the cold. Dry, cracked skin and brittle nails may threaten to keep you in snow boots until the next winter is upon us.

Luckily, there are a number of steps that you can take to ensure that your feet are in perfect shape to show off this spring. Foot masks, foot scrubs, fun nail polish colors and intensive moisturizing treatments can work wonders for your feet and your self-esteem.

Foot Soaks

The first step in any good foot care routine is the soak. This allows your skin to soften, which makes the removal of dead skin cells and rough calluses that much easier. A foot soak that is prepared with moisturizing ingredients and essential oils can be relaxing.

Honey and lemon. Fill a large bowl with warm water. Add a half cup of honey, a half cup of apple cider vinegar and the juice from one lemon. The honey infuses the skin with moisture, the vinegar is antibacterial and can act as a muscle relaxer, and the lemon is invigorating. Soak your feet for 10 minutes or until the water cools.
Lime and mint. Fill a large bowl or basin with warm water and add a half cup of Epsom salt. Add the juice of one lime and several sprigs of crushed mint. The Epsom salt purifies and softens the skin, while the lime and mint soothe and cool your tired feet.

Foot Scrubs

While we’re all big fans of great winter boots, they don’t tend to do your feet any favors. By the time spring rolls around, your feet will be begging for some TLC. Foot scrubs are an instrumental step in any foot care routine. With scrubs, you can slough away the dead skin cells that accumulated during the winter. Commercially prepared foot scrubs are available, but a DIY version is less expensive and can be customized with your favorite scent or essential oil.

Brown sugar. Combine a cup of brown sugar with a third cup of almond oil. Slather your feet generously with this mixture and massage gently, paying special attention to your heels and the base of the toes. Rinse with warm water.
Sea salt. Sea salt is a sturdier compound than sugar, thus it’s the perfect ingredient in a scrub for feet that might need a little extra help. One cup of sea salt mixed with a third cup of peppermint or coconut oil makes a strong yet invigorating scrub. After you’ve soaked your feet, apply the scrub gently, taking care not to be too harsh on your delicate skin.

Foot Masks

Foot masks are important in the preparation of sandal-ready feet as they are intensive moisturizing treatments. After your feet have been thoroughly scrubbed, locking in the moisture is instrumental in maintaining that soft and silky feeling. Try a few of the following natural ingredients for amazing results.

Avocado. This amazing fruit has long been renowned for its high vitamin E content and superior moisturizing properties. Mash the flesh of an avocado in a bowl with a few teaspoons of honey until the texture is somewhat smooth. Coat your feet with the mixture, then wrap them in plastic bags to seal in the moisture. After 15 minutes remove the bags and rinse your feet in warm water.
Egg Yolk and Lemon. Egg yolks are rich in protein and have long been used as skin moisturizers. Separate the yolks of two eggs and place them in the blender with the juice of one lemon. Turn the blender on and add olive oil in a thin stream until the texture becomes light and creamy. Remove the mixture from the blender and smooth it over your feet. Wrap your feet in plastic and relax for 15 minutes. Remove the plastic and rinse your feet thoroughly with warm water.

Nail Polish

Once your feet have been soaked, scrubbed, and moisturized, they’re ready for a coat of polish.

Using a cuticle stick, gently push the toenail cuticles back. Then, swipe your nails with a cotton ball soaked in polish remover to get rid of any traces of moisturizer. This allows the polish to adhere better.

Place toe separators on your feet, then choose your polish. Popular hues for this spring include tropical blues and greens, pale pinks and shimmery, opalescent shades of white. Paint your nails carefully, then relax and allow the polish to dry completely, which takes about 30 minutes.

When you’re finished, you’ll be ready to put your best foot forward and tackle spring!

About the Author:

Katie Finnegan is a style blogger. She recently visited My Beautiful Feet to seek treatment for her hammertoes and ready her feet for spring fashion.