Taking care of yourself is essential. Allowing your energy to recharge, taking a day to do something you enjoy, getting out and moving, caring for your skin, and eating healthy are all important aspects of caring for yourself. Taking care of yourself looks different for everyone. Perhaps, like me, you enjoy a quiet day to curl up with a book, a nice cup of tea, peaceful music, and a long soak in a hot bath filled with Epsom salts and avocado oil. Maybe it looks like doing something strenuous outdoors, a deep tissue massage, or sitting in your favorite spot, watching people. What we often take for granted and neglect are our feet. Today, I'm sharing my routine for an at-home pedicure.
My heels are the bane of my existence. They are constantly dry, cracked, and, as my friend Jenna so bluntly stated, "nasty." Lately, I have been taking extra care of my tootsies. This is because Jenna shamed me into it, but whatever the reason, my feet have been receiving some extra attention. I take the time to get a professional pedicure, usually every six months or so. If I'm being transparent, I hate wasting time to do things like that. As I sit in a massage chair while someone else saws away at the calluses on my heels, I sit and think about all the things I should be doing, could be doing, and am not getting done. It's not the relaxing experience it should be.
However, an at-home pedicure every few weeks takes far less time. I can do it at night after I have completed my day, and strangers aren't touching my feet. Although the results are not professional, they improve the appearance of my feet. It is helping the appearance of my heels; the skin on my feet is soft and supple, and my feet feel so much better after a nice, long soak.
First, I make a simple foot scrub. At this point, I am experimenting with different recipes. I hope to offer an at-home pedicure kit someday, so my do-it-yourself pedicures are research. I have access to more oils and ingredients than the average person, but you, too, can make a simple scrub from half a cup of sugar and 1/4 cup of olive oil. It's nothing fancy, but it works. Next, I fill a basin with hot water. I like my water to be as hot as I can stand. To the basin, I add a few tablespoons of oil. You can use olive oil, avocado, or jojoba oils, a half cup of Epsom salts, a quart of goat's milk if it is plentiful, and essential oils like lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, or clary sage.
I soak my feet for twenty minutes or so. I follow the soak with the scrub, massaging it into my feet and calves. I then rinse and soak my feet again for ten minutes. Next, I use a pumice and callus remover on my heels and feet. I again dip my feet in the basin to remove any dead skin. Lastly, I follow with a massage using our Peppermint Moisturizer. I follow the massage with our new Miracle Milk Face Balm. (Secret: it's not just for faces) I then put my tootsies in heated socks and sit with my feet up until I am ready for bed. Sometimes, I add the step of dipping my feet in hot wax before I do the moisturizer. However, my wax warmer takes forever to melt the wax, and I often forget to plug it in in time. I occasionally convince The Bibbed Wonder to massage my feet, especially if they are achy. However, most of the time, I don't feel like listening to the jokes about bunions, stinky feet, or how I am so spoiled.
The entire routine takes around forty minutes. I do it in my living room while I watch television. Note: My new obsession is Only Murders In The Building. I love Martin Short and Steve Martin. I also love the relationship between the old guys and Selena Gomez. It is delightful. I tried to read while I was soaking my feet, but it was too distracting to have my feet in hot water and try to concentrate. Have plenty of warm towels on hand to wrap your feet in so you don't get water everywhere, or perhaps you are more sensible than I, and you will do your pedicure in the bathroom.
Taking a few minutes every other week to pamper your hard-working tootsies is time well spent. If you put in the effort now, your feet will be lovely for sandal weather. You know, there are people out there who are judging you on the condition of your heels. Rude? Yes, but very accurate. I'm just saying...
On this sunny January day, stay safe, be smart, practice a little self-care, take good care of your feet, don't be judgmental and rude about those who have "nasty" heels, and keep washing your hands and feet.
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