By Shahnaz Husain
You can have a pedicure at home, using natural oils and extracts. A weekly pedicure really goes a long way to keep the feet looking good and free from problems. For a home pedicure, you will need a nail brush, pumice stone or heel scrubber, nail clippers, emery board, cotton wool, cotton buds, massage cream, polish remover, nail varnish, and a small tub for soaking the feet. An emery board is a strip of thin wood or cardboard that is coated with a fine grainy substance.
Remove old polish with the remover, using cotton wool. Soak your feet in warm water, to which you should add some shampoo and any vegetable oil. You can also add coarse salt. Let the feet soak for 15 minutes.
If your nails need cutting, use a nail clipper. Toe nails should be cut straight across. Avoid shaping toenails as it can lead to in-growing nails. Use the emery board to smoothen them. Do not cut the cuticles of the toenails. They should be creamed and pushed back gently with a cotton bud.
Clean the nails with the brush. It should not be too hard. Use the pumice stone on the heels and side of the soles. You can also scrub the entire feet with a rough towel or loofah. When this is done, wash the feet in clean water. Dry with a towel. Apply cream on the feet and nails and massage it into the skin, working it into the cuticles. Do not use sharp instruments to clean the nails or under the nails. Pay special attention to the heels, applying more cream if needed. Wipe the feet with a moist towel.
If the feet are very dry, have a foot wrap. Mix together milk, oats, aloe vera gel and pure almond oil. Apply on the feet and tie a gauze bandage or clean cloth around the feet. Lie down and relax for 15 minutes. Aloe Vera is a powerful moisturizer and helps the skin on the heels. It repairs the cracks on the heels and makes the skin soft and smooth. Milk, oil and oats help to cleanse and nourish.
If you wish to apply polish, put some cotton wool between the toes. Apply the nail varnish in broad strokes, from the base of the nail to the nail tips. After the first coat dries, apply the second coat of colour.
About Shahnaz Husain
Shahnaz Husain, pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty movement, heads the Shahnaz Husain Group, with a global network of franchise ventures and 375 Ayurvedic formulations. A Case Study at Harvard for Brand Creation, she is now a Harvard Subject for “Emerging Markets” She was honored with the Padma Shri Award and is the first woman in 105 years to receive the World’s Greatest Woman Entrepreneur Award from Success, the U.S. business magazine. Indeed, Shahnaz Husain is a leading international beauty Icon!
