“For a truly perfect pedicure, you should go to a nail professional. However, when life gets crazy, you often have to take your feet into your own hands,” says Skyy. “When performing a pedicure at home is your only option, there are techniques to follow that will ensure your feet stay healthy and look beautiful.” Skye Hadley, As U Wish Salon

TIP ONE: Milk It
After removing nail polish and spraying feet with an antiseptic, soak feet in water and milk. Adding milk is a crucial step as water can strip skin of moisture and leave feet drier. Milk naturally exfoliates and nourishes the skin and it’s right in your refrigerator.

but if you prefer to purchase a foot soak, check out -

Peppermint Pedicure Foot Soak by Naturally Upper Canada $12.00 by Naturally Upper Canada at Smallflower

TIP TWO: Care for Cuticles with Caution
Lightly shape the toenails by cutting nails back slightly and massaging toes and feet with cream or oil. After feet have soaked for a few minutes, push back the cuticles – do NOT cut them. Cutting them creates more hangnails and can even lead to infection.

It Cosmetics NAIL LOVE Nail and Cuticle Treatment Pen$12.00 at Beauty.com

TIP THREE: Scrub Wisely
Lightly buff the nail plate while it is still moist with a cuticle cream or conditioner. Then buff the skin on your feet by applying a foot scrub and massaging the formula deep into the skin, concentrating on trouble spots. To really smooth things over, use a diamond file (avoid pumices as they trap bacteria) on particularly rough patches like the heel and ball of the foot.

Farmhouse Fresh Trio Of Fine Foot Scrubs $52.00 at Skin Store

TIP FOUR: Stay Polished
To maintain and prolong color, use a primer on the nails first. This step actually dehydrates the nail by bringing the natural oils out, making color grip longer. After applying color, add a top coat. Three days later, apply a top coat again to prevent color from chipping.

Lippmann Collection 'Start Me Up' Set ($70 Value) $44.00 by Lippmann Collection at Nordstrom

TIP FIVE: Smooth Things Over
Keep heels from cracking by massaging shea butter, light oil and/or Vaseline at night. Then, put socks on so the skin can absorb the formula even deeper overnight.

Shea Butter Foot Cream $20.00 at L'Occitane

L'Occitane Hand Cream Bouquet $60.00 on sale $45.00 Available @ L'Occitane

Limited edition scents of delicate and timeless African flowers! Our hands are the most
hardworking tool we have and deserve protection and luxury. Discover your favorite Shea
Butter-based hand cream with this collection, designed to soothe, nourish and comfort. Let
yourself be transported with these sensual and delicate scents to the heart of Africa. Also includes 2 of the original best selling shea butter hand creams.

This set includes:
- 2 shea butter Hand Creams 1 oz. each
- Acacia shea butter Hand Cream 1 oz.
- Frangipani shea butter Hand Cream 1 oz.
- Ylang Ylang shea butter Hand Cream 1 oz.
- Rosebud shea butter Hand Cream 1 oz.

What a terrific Gift Idea - whether for yourself or someone else!!!!!!

L'Occitane Red Rice Ultra Matte Face Fluid

$26.00 by L'Occitane at Skin Store

With an ultra light and velvety texture, Red Rice Ultra Matte Face Fluid is recommended for combination and oily skin. This fluid has a very light, clean fragrance and is non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic. The formula is enriched with rebalancing Zinc and Red Rice extract, as well as astringent Red Rice vinegar. Zinc rebalances your skin's oil production, while the Red Rice powder absorbs surface oil and reduces shine.