7 simple solutions to prettier feet

Have you stopped wearing open-toed shoes because you are ashamed of your dry, cracking skin? Are your feet feeling abused and worn from the everyday hustle and bustle, which usually involves heels for work and being on your feet all day?

After a long hard week, all you really want to do is give your feet a break and walk around in flip-flops or a nice pair of flats or sandals. But, but how can you, when your feet look so battered?

Thankfully, there are simple ways you can improve the condition of your feet—all in the comfort of your own home!


1. Dead skin problems? Soak your feet in warm water for about 15 minutes to soften. Scrub with a pumice stone to remove and bring out new, healthy skin underneath. You can also use foot scrubs available in the market for a nice, minty scent.


2. Want to avoid ingrown nails? Ingrown nails are not only off-putting, but also can get really infected and hurt a lot. To prevent from getting them, cut your toenails straight across. Leave the shaping to the pros when you go for your monthly mani-pedi and cleaning.


3. Dry, brittle nails? Use nail creams or oils to help restore them to their healthy state.


4. Are your feel smelly? Eww! Foot deodorant powders or sprays are readily available in any drugstore or supermarket. Essential oils such as peppermint and eucalyptus really help combat odor.

5. High heels getting you down? Who doesn’t look good in killer heels? But sometimes, too much of a good thing can be bad. Heels put the pressure on the balls of your feet which can really strain them.  And ballet flats can also hurt your feet—the near equivalent to walking barefoot on concrete! Give your feet a break once in awhile and wear shoes with the right amount of support and comfort.


6. Shoes too tight? Tight shoes can lead to corns and calluses so make sure you get the right size! Shoe sizes differ according to country, so the best way to make sure they fit is to try them on. Ordering your footwear online may be tempting, but it’s hard to know if the pair that’s shipped to you has a really good fit if you don’t get the chance to try them on.


7. Wanna give your feel some love? Treat yourself to a foot massage every couple of weeks. After all the time you spend on your feet, they deserve to be pampered!


Have a fashion or beauty question for Erica? Drop her a line at ericaparedes1@yahoo.com.
 
Erica Paredes has been working in the publishing industry for almost a decade as a fashion and beauty editor, newspaper columnist, stylist and make-up artist. Nowadays she juggles her time between food and fashion, beauty and travel plus mommy duties to her eight-year-old daughter.