Before you search for the strappiest Blahniks, a perfect pedicure is a must. But you don’t have to break the bank to get your feet in their shape for showing. Put the extra money towards your spring shoe budget instead.File your nails once a week before bathing. Never file your nails immediately after a bath, as this is when they are at their weakest and most likely to split. It's difficult to shape a soft, bendy nail that's been soaked in water. Shape fingernails when they are at their hardest, and file in one direction only. After a bath, toenails are much tougher than fingernails, as they are not in water as much. Use nail clippers, not scissors, after a bath. Tweezerman has the best pedicure kits going ($30, www.tweezerman.com), for the price of just one visit to a salon.
Perfect feet are about more than just nails; skin needs to feel smooth and callous-free without unsightly cracks and peeling skin. DDF Pedi-Cream ($26, www.ddfskin.com) contains potent glycolic acids to slough away cell build up that causes callouses, and tingles with spearmint and menthol to refresh tired summer soles. Bath & Body Works Fine and Sandy Beach Pedicure Foot Scrub has the exfoliating and cleansing benefits of a walk on the beach ($14.00, www.bathandbodyworks.com). Lippman Collection Bootylicious ($48, www.sephora.com) has a pair of cotton booties with removable microwaveable lavender sachets that are a treat for tired, swollen feet.
When applying nail polish, remember that lighter colors, pastels and iridescent shades will flatter bronzed skin. Dark colors can appear harsh and are more high maintenance, since every chip shows up. OPI is a salon staple, with an array of fashion shades like “Melon of Troy” and “Red, Red Rhine.” Visit www.opi.com for a complete list of colors, and where to buy information. You can even test drive the product at their online “Try it on Studio” to make sure you select your ideal shade. At about $7 a bottle, you’ll probably have a hard time choosing just one!
Wendy Lewis & Co Ltd offers private image enhancement consultations in New York, and in London, and via phone and email from all over the world, for both men and women. She is the author of 9 beauty books, including The Beauty Battle. www.wlbeauty.com, wlbeauty@aol.com.
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