4-Steps - Winter Pedicure

It's no secret that we tend to forget all about our tootsies once winter rolls around. The days of warm weather and flip flops are replaced with crisp air and snowy conditions that force our feet to go into hiding for the winter. So what happens when it's the middle of the holiday season and time you're dying to slip on those adorable strappy sandals for your neighbor's cocktail party? The answer is easier than you think. Before you toss those terrific sandals aside, consider rolling up your sleeves and treating yourself an at-home pedi. Sure, maybe they're not as relaxing as going to the spa, but they are ten times more affordable, you can do it whenever you need one and once you buy the supplies—they're yours for life! Below is everything you need to make this DIY project a success, leaving you with feet you'll be proud to parade around anytime of year!

Exfoliate

The first thing you want to do is get rid of all that dry, flaky skin. Start by soaking your feet in warm water with some bath salts or a special pedicure treatment like these Spa Fizz Pedicure Tablets (about $4) that'll help soften cuticles and give you that amazing spa aroma in your bathroom. Then apply an exfoliating product like For Feets Sake Foot Scrub by Aromafloria (about $10) to moisturize your feet and help lift dead skin. This is a good time to grab a stone or brush to gently remove dead skin get those rough areas smooth.

Groom

Now that your skin is smooth and cuticles are softened, use a grooming kit to trim nails and cuticle beds. This Manicure/Pedicure Gift Set comes with everything from scissors and clippers to cuticle nippers and files, making it easy to do all of your grooming in one step (and it costs less than $20!). Make sure all hang nails are clipped off, nails are short and filed even and cuticle beds are clean before you move on to the next step.

Moisturize

Once feet are soft and nails are taken care of, you'll want to moisturize your feet with a rich foot cream. Moisturizing keeps skin looking younger and healthy longer, so during the winter be sure to get into the habit of doing this every time you get out of the shower. We love using Burt's Bees Foot Cream (About $9) because not only does it contain vitamin E, but this tropical blend of coconut goodness has us feeling like we're on a vacation every time we use it. If the tropics aren't your thing, try a classic product like Targeted Therapy Deep-Penetrating Foot Cream (about $6) by Curel to give your feet the moisture they need.

Paint

And now for the fun part! Since toes aren't as visible as fingers, dare to go a little bit bolder than you would on your hands. OPI (our all time favorite polish people) have come out with their new line for the holidays, launching Nov. 24. Their Burlesque collection contains some daring shades that some might think are too much for fingers--but they're just right for toes.