STEP 3 - PAMPERING

HOMEOPATHIC BEAUTY TREATMENTS AND TIPS

Now that you know about the harsh conditions that plague our feet, here is the welcome antidote. Consider Step 3 as the holiday after a tough workweek. It is easy to give yourself an effective foot treatment with a relaxing foot bath or pedicure, and it is a sure way to make yourself feel like royalty.

Pampering your feet not only makes them look and feel better, it helps keep them healthy. Along with maintenance, it is the best preventive measure that you can take, allowing you to leave those foot problems in the past. Foot care can be easy and even fun. Papaya, peppermint, honey - the ingredients read like a vegan's grocery list. Going the all natural, homeopathic route means fewer trips to the pharmacy, and the treatments are as effective as anything store-bought or spa-administered.

FOOT BATHS

To begin, bundle yourself in a fluffy bathrobe, slide in a relaxing CD, and light some candles. You have just created your very own spa at home and have saved yourself a bundle of cash.

A foot bath can be messy, so we recommend that you stay in the bathroom to make cleanup a little easier. Foot basins can be conveniently placed on the floor of your tub and the rim makes a handy seat ( with a cushy bath towel under your derriere).

Suggested Reading: While soaking your feet, try reading the Kama Sutra. When your soak is done and your pampered feet are ready for display, you may be so adventurous as to try some of those foot techniques with your partner.





NATURAL FOOT-BATH INGREDIENTS

Following is a list of ingredients commonly used in foot baths along with their natural properties.

Almond Oil - Soothing and moisturizing properties.

Aloe Vera Oil - Antibacterial; soothing and healing properties.

Apple -Cider Vinegar - Antibacterial; antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

Arnica Cream - Reduces trauma and bruising; anti-inflammatory properties.

Blue Chamomile - Deodorizing properties.

Calendula Oil - Great for sensitive, easily irritated skin; soothes rough, flaking and dry skin.

Camphor Oil - Freshening, toning and anti-inflammatory properties.

Chamomile - Antibacterial and antifungal properties; soothing and moisturizing effects.

Cocoa Butter - Moisturizing and soothing properties.

Coconut Oil - Emollient, moisturizing properties.

Dead Sea or Epsom Salts - Detoxifying properties; improves circulation.

Eucalyptus Oil - Disinfecting and skin-purifying properties; cools and soothes.

Ginger - Stimulating, revitalizing and rejuvenating qualities.

Grapefruit-Seed Extract - Antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Green Tea - Antimicrobial skin refresher and anti-inflammatory properties.

Honey - Retains moisture.

Horse Chestnut - Anti-inflammatory properties and stimulates circulation.

Jojoba Oil - Emollient, moisturizing properties.

Lemon Juice - Mild astringent, anti-inflammatory properties.

Magnolia Buds - Deodorizing properties and creates an energizing sensation.

Milk - Moisturizing and soothing properties.

Olive Oil - Hardens cuticles, softens skin.

Papaya - Dissolves dead surface skin cells, rejuvenates skin.

Peppermint Oil - Stimulating, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

Primrose Oil - Alleviates skin problems associated with itching and irritation.

Rose Petals - Reduces odour an softens skin.

Shea Butter - Stimulates circulation; emollient, moisturizing properties.

Soy Protein - Helps even out skin pigmentation.

Tea with Tannic Acid - Infection - fighting properties.

Tea Tree Oil - Bacteria - fighting properties.

Witch Hazel - Soothing skin astringent.

Caution: If you are a diabetic or suffer from circulatory problems, consult your foot specialist before using any of these treatments. Diabetics are predisposed to infections.


ATHLETE'S FOOT

Give your feet a soak that has as much impact as a Sampras tennis serve. The therapeutic properties of this soak, along with doctor prescribed topical creams, is the best way to beat athlete's foot. You will need:

Foot basin
2 bags chamomile tea
2 bags green tea
2 drops grapefruit-seed extract
1/2 cup apple-cider vinegar
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
Tea tree oil

Prescription cream

ESTIMATED TIME: 30 MINUTES


Bring a pot of water to a simmering boil and pour into foot basin. Add leaves from chamomile and green teas, grapefruit-seed extract, vinegar and lemon juice.

Allow water to cool to a comfortable temperature and soak feet for approximately 20 minutes. Remove feet from bath and pat dry. Swab a cotton ball with tea tree oil and dab onto affected areas. Let dry.

Apply any creams recommended by your doctor.

CHAPPED FEET

If your feet are as chapped as lips after a night of kissing a bearded beau, this soak is the perfect salve. Dry, chafed feet should be attended to daily by scrubbing with a pumice stone. Moisturize and wear special socks over creamed feet before you go to bed. Add a weekly foot soak for extra softening. You will need:

Foot basin
1cup dry oatmeal
1 cup freshly mashed papaya
1 teaspoon honey
2 tablespoons Epsom salt
1/2 cup olive oil
Half gallon whole milk
2 drops almond oil
2 drops tea tree oil
Pumice stone
Emollient cream (such as shea or cocoa butter)
2 warm towels

ESTIMATED TIME: 30 MINUTES

Before taking the plunge, file toenails into a square shape. Gather your post-treatment tools, such as pedicure accessories, nail polish and two fluffy towels. It has been suggested that heating a towel in the microwave for approximately 20 seconds right before you wrap your feet in them gave you a little extra luxury.

TO MAKE THE EXFOLIATING SCRUB In a large mixing bowl, combine 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup papaya, honey, 1 tablespoon Epsom salt and roughly 1/4 cup olive oil. Set aside for use after the soak.

TO MAKE THE SOAK Heat a half gallon whole milk, a little water and the rest of the olive oil to a comfortable temperature. Pour the mixture into the foot basin and add 1/2 cup of oatmeal, 1/2 cup of papaya, 1 tablespoon Epsom salt and a few drops of almond and tea tree oils.

Soak your feet in the milk bath for approximately 20 minutes. Then massage your ankles and feet with the oatmeal scrub, rubbing vigorously over chapped areas. Return your feet to basin to soak for another 5 minutes. Using a cotton swab, apply tea tree oil on distressed areas and then moisturize your feet with shea or cocoa butter. Wrap feet in warm towels for 5 minutes so that the moisturizer is fully absorbed.

HEEL PAIN

If you have a love affair with all things sexy, sultry and stiletto, you may be approaching a heated breakup. But before giving your favourite shoes some time off, this soak will chill you out a bit. You will need:

Foot basin
2 drops peppermint oil
18 ice cubes
Arnica cream
Warm towels
Pillow

ESTIMATED TIME: 45 MINUTES

Fill the foot basin with enough ice water to cover the heel. Add a few drops of peppermint oil. Soak your heels, adding ice cubes (2 or 3 at a time) every 5 or 6 minutes over a 30-minute period.

Apply arnica cream, wrap feet in warm towels, and prop them up on a pillow. Use your condition as a medical reason to watch some bad television. Soak regularly, especially after any physical activity.


SMELLY FEET

It may be hard to admit that your feet smell bad, but do yourself - and those around you - a favour and take that first step. It is a common condition and, like excessive perspiration or sweaty palms, a normal indication of stress and nerves. Wearing shoes made out of synthetic material (as opposed to leather) or not wearing socks can also lead to smelly feet. Here's what you will need to have those stinkers coming up roses:

Foot basin
1 bag chamomile tea
1/2 cup apple-cider vinegar
1 tablespoon sea salt
Fresh ginger, peeled an sliced
Magnolia buds
2 drops eucalyptus oil
2 drops peppermint oil
Rose petals
Sponge (preferably natural)
Peppermint soap
Witch hazel
Peppermint foot cream

ESTIMATED TIME: 30 MINUTES


Add chamomile, vinegar, salt, ginger, magnolia buds, oils and rose petals to basin of warm water. Sponge feet with soap and soak for approximately 20 minutes. Dry feet and then spritz with witch hazel. Finish with peppermint cream.

SORE FEET

After being sore toward someone, it's only considerate to make amends with a thoughtful gift. When you are hard on your feet, that gift should come in the form of a soothing foot bath. You will need:

Foot basin
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons Epsom salt
4 drops eucalyptus oil
2 teaspoons fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
1 to 2 drops peppermint oil
1 to 2 drops primrose oil
Witch hazel
Arnica cream
Shea butter

ESTIMATED TIME: 30 MINUTES

TO MAKE THE TREATMENT In a mixing bowl, combine olive oil, Epsom oil, 2 drops of eucalyptus oil and ginger. Set aside.

TO MAKE THE SOAK Fill a foot basin with warm water and add 2 drops of eucalyptus oil and the peppermint and primrose oils. Soak your feet 15 to 20 minutes.

Massage olive-oil mixture into your feet, rubbing into distressed areas. Dip feet back into the basin to remove excess oils and salt.

Dry feet off, spritz with witch hazel, and then apply arnica cream. Once the arnica cream has fully penetrated, moisturize with shea butter.

SWEATY FEET

Do not sweat it. Alternately plunging your feet into warm and then cold water cures excessive perspiration and revives your entire body. You will need:

2 foot basins
4 bags black tea or tea with tannic acid
3 tablespoons sea salt
1/4 cup apple-cider vinegar
Juice of 2 lemons
Lemon slices (optional)
Handful fresh peppermint leaves
8-10 ice cubes
Peppermint foot spray
Talcum powder

ESTIMATED TIME: 25 minutes

Empty the contents of the tea bags into a foot basin and fill with boiling water, salt and vinegar. Fill a separate basin with cold water, lemon juice, peppermint leaves and ice. Allow the hot water to cool slightly, then soak your feet in the warm water for approximately 10 minutes and in the cold water for 3 to 5 minutes. Dry feet and apply foot spray and talcum powder.

SWOLLEN FEET

When your feet swell to the-head-of-a-diva proportion, a warm foot bath with green tea, rose petals and a fistful of stones is the best treatment. It decreases puffiness and creates an overall feeling of well-being. Quite simply, it just rocks! You will need:

Foot basin
Handful of smooth pebbles or stones (available at most gardening shops and florist)
2 drops eucalyptus oil
2 drips camphor oil
2 bags green tea
Handful rose petals
1 cup olive oil
Pumice stone
Witch hazel
Arnica cream
Aloe vera cream

ESTIMATED TIME: 50 MINUTES

Place pebbles at the bottom of the foot basin. Coat the stones with eucalyptus and camphor oils. Tear open the tea bags and mix contents with 2 cups boiling water, then pour into basin. Add rose petals and olive oil. Let cool about 5 minutes. Soak feet for 10 to 15 minutes.

Pat feet dry, then buff dead skin with a pumice stone. Trim evenly across with a toenail clipper and file evenly. Massage the bottoms of your feet using the pebbles. If they have cooled, warm them up in the microwave for approximately 20 seconds. Dab your feet with a cotton ball swabbed in witch hazel. Dry your feet with a towel and then rub them with arnica cream until it is fully absorbed. Apply another coat of aloe vera cream, wrap with warm towels, and relax for about 5 minutes.


FOOT-AID KIT
What to keep on hand for perfect feet:

Cotton balls
Cuticle pusher
Cuticle remover (without phermaldhyde)
Emery board Foot basin
Foot lotion
Microwave (for heating stones and towels)
Nail brush
Petroleum jelly
Pumice stone
Smooth stones
Toenail clippers
Towels

PROFESSIONAL PEDICURES

Just as after a visit to a salon should not be wasted on a night watching reruns, a new paid of open-toe shoes should never be worn without a proper pedicure. Having a professional pedicure is that indulgent perk tat actually seems quite practical considering you have someone rub, clean and polish your feet. However, it is important to select a reputable salon that properly sterilizes their instruments as a precaution against the foot conditions mentioned in Step 2.

PROFESSIONAL PEDICURE PRECAUTIONS

• Bring your own instruments and disinfectant for the foot basin.
• Remain loyal to a salon where you have observed high standards of cleanliness.
• Do not allow a pedicurist to use razor or blade to cut your corns or calluses.
• Get to your appointment early to see how thoroughly the basins are cleaned. After they are washed with detergent, basins should be sprayed with a bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal disinfectant.

Pedicures should last between for and six weeks. To maintain that shiny, new-pedicure look, allow fresh polish to dry for at least 45 minutes, pumice regularly and your own polish for touch-ups.


AT-HOME PEDICURES
What you will need:

Cotton balls
Cotton swabs
Cuticle pusher
Emery board
Emollient cream
Exfoliating cream
Foot lotion
Nail polish
Nail polish, base coat
Nail polish, clear top coat
Nail polish remover (without phermaldhyde)
Petroleum jelly
Plastic wrap
Pumice stone
Toenail clippers
Toe separators
Towels, warm

ESTIMATED TIME: 60 MINUTES
Why not plan a pedicure around watching your favourite television show?

TEN-STEP PEDICURE

After old polish is completely removed, cuticles pushed, and feet are thoroughly cleaned, follow these ten steps for perfect toes.

• Slough off dead skin by rubbing feet with a pumice stone. (Do not cut calluses or dry skin - the more you trim, the more likely the skin will grow back thicker).
• Clip toenails straight and then use an emery board to smooth any rough edges.
• Massage your feet with an emollient cream or use an exfoliating lotion if the skin is rough or dry.
• Wrap feet in plastic wrap and then a hot towel for about 15 minutes. The heat will help the cream penetrate the skin.
• Separate your toes with either cotton balls (one between each toe) or toe separators made especially for pedicures.
• Apply a base coat and allow enough time to dry (approximately 10 to 15 minutes between each coat of polish).
• Apply polish, attending to any stray marks with a cotton swab dipped in polish remover, then wait till dry. Because there is a greater amount of pigment, the darker the polish colour, the longer it takes to dry. In fact, dark polish can take up to 24 hours to dry completely. Also, creamy polishes tend to chip more than those with metallic flecks.
• Add a second coat to strengthen colour.
• Finish with a top coat of clear polish. The equation is about four coats applied at 15 minutes each.
• Once nails are fully dried, about 60 minutes, apply foot lotion and massage.

CUTICLE CARE

Incorporate moisturizing your cuticles into your daily ritual. For healthier, more vibrantly coloured toenails, soak your feet in warm water for 20 minutes to half an hour with a little salt to aid the circulation. Soaking the feet also softens the cuticles, making them easier to work with during a pedicure. Bathe feet in warm sudsy water with your favourite bath soaps or choose a custom foot bath with warm water. With a cuticle pusher, gently push the cuticle back wherever it touches the nail plate, using tiny circular movements. Hold the stick at an angle so that you do this gradually and carefully, without going inside the cuticle. This also allows the nails to breathe.

MOISTURIZED NAILS

It is advisable to give your toenails a break from csonstant polishing. Nails absorb some of the pigment from nail polish and can turn yellowish. For beautiful, shiny, natural nails, put away your purse and invest a little of your time. For nails that are already soft, rub them with petroleum jelly and then buff with a soft cloth. To moisturize nails as dry as a weathered seashell, soak your feet in warm olive oil for 20 minutes.

NAIL POLISH REMOVER

It is recommended using a nail polish remover without phermaldhyde, which causes an allergic reaction for some people and tends to have drying effect on the nails and cuticles. Avoiding frequent polish changes helps keep the nails moist and healthy. The more often you change your nail polish, the drier your nails will become.


FOOT MASSAGE

Begin by saturating your hands with moisturizer or massage oil. Bringing your sole up to face you, place the fingers of both hands on the top of the foot, thumbs on the heel, and crisscross your thumbs, then work upward toward your toes.

Press your thumbs back on the heel and pulse.

With your other hand on the toes, weave fingers through the toes to the pinky toe.

Work on the ball of the foot with the thumb, move to the middle of the foot, then the lower part.