Wednesday 30 October 2013

Put your best foot forward

Foot care, perhaps not the most exciting part of a beauty routine, but oh so important. If you think about how much we put our legs and feet through every day; we squeeze our feet into fabulous and narrow shoes, walk in towering high heels, stand up for long periods of time - that's a lot of pressure and weight, so no wonder that they get fatigued or the skin hardens to help act as a shock absorber. For some reason it seems more fun to take care of your feet during the summer since they're always more on display, but it's also important not to forget about them in the wintertime - keeping the skin nice, smooth and moisturised so when it's time to show them off again in strappy gorgeous heels at the seasons parties - you're well prepared.

Having a professional manicure or pedicure is very pleasant and relaxing but to be honest I do the same at home at least once a week, so it made sense to invest in some kind of tool to help with the buffing part. I must confess that I have a healthy respect for most types of electrical beautifying equipment, and for me using heated rollers is taking a giant step into the wonders of modern beauty care, but after much looking around I decided to get the Scholl Express Pedi, which is a tool to help smooth and soften skin quickly and effortlessly. It reminds me a little of an electrical shaver, but it has a buffing roller that you can easily replace when it starts to wear down. I use this after a long bath, when the skin of my feet is nice and softened, and after a couple of minutes of buffing they are left so smooth and any unevenness or hard areas has been gently removed. I was skeptical about it in the beginning and worried that it would be very rough or painful on the skin, but I was completely wrong. You'll get a gentle but effective buffing and it's great to use once or twice a week to keep your feet nice and soft.

After exfoliating, I like to use a nice and reach cream that softens even more any dry or rough spots, and Avon does a really lovely and affordable foot care range. A product that I've used for a long time is the Avon Heel Softening Cream which is a wonderful buttery and thick formula that  will help to soften the most stubborn of dry patches. It has a fresh and minty scent and the texture feels surprisingly luxurious to massage into the heels. I actually use this on my elbows as well as a treatment every now and then, and it make them very soft and supple.

Having given the heels some TLC, it's time to apply a generous layer of a foot lotion over the rest of the feet. There are a lot of foot lotions available, but a lot of them seem to contain lavender. Lavender in itself is a lovely scent, but it can be quite strong which is why the Burt's Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion is perfect for me. It's a gorgeous aromatic lotion dominated by the scent of peppermint oil and menthol, making it very invigorating and refreshing with almost that icy cool feeling you get from menthol. The peppermint helps to relax tired feet, but it also contains coconut oils to nourish, soften and hydrate any dry patches and beeswax to seal in moisture for a deeply moisturising sensation that lasts. 

To finish off my mini pedicure I'll spray on some of the Avon Watermelon Cooling Spray, which is a product that does exactly what it says on the bottle. It's nothing fancy and nothing complicated - it's a wonderful soothing and cooling spray that you can use at any point; either in the morning, during the day, in the evening, after a pedi - whenever you feel like it. As you may know with Avon they change their product range fairly regularly, so if you can't get hold of the Watermelon scent, there will be others, equally nice to use, but in a different scent. This is particularly lovely to use when you're in a hot climate, or if you've been out trekking, or wearing gorgeous but uncomfortable heels to relax and refresh your feet. After that, it's snuggle time with a warm and cozy pair of socks preferably worn overnight, to help the moisture cream really sink into the skin. In the morning you'll wake up with nice and soft skin, feeling refreshed as if you'd had a professional pedi - well close enough...

55 comments:

  1. Great post :) I also have Avon Cooling Spray but in Papaya version and I enjoy it.

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    1. Hi Andreea, thanks a million - they're such a cheap and cheerful option for freshening up :o). xx

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  2. This its great especially now we forget about our feet in the cold weather. Good to maintain our self.
    http://tifi11.blogspot.com

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  3. I really want to try that Express Pedi but I have super ticklish feet! Love your amazing socks ;)

    Claire | AgentSmyth

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    1. LOL - thanks a million, cute aren't they, but eery time I wear them, it freaks out the cat! Xx

      http://makeupbycandlelight.blogspot.co.uk/

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  4. Awwww those socks are so cute! Definitely need to keep up a pedicure routine at this time of year xxx

    The perks of being a hipster

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    1. Thank you so much, I find that it helps for general well being as well! Xx

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  5. Id love to try that Burt Bees foot lotion, sounds lovely! I'm very neglectful with my feet apart from nail polish so need to start giving them some TLC!

    www.makeupmonster.ie

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    1. The cooling sensation from the menthol is lovely and refreshing, well worth getting! Xx

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  6. I always forget about my feet in winter! But this has inspired me to go give them so TLC, L xxx

    maquillagemagic.blogspot.co.uk

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  7. I just got my tottsies the other day. Must have for this season. Keep those toes warm :-)

    Rachael x
    All The Little Things x | Rachael McClenaghan

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    1. Definitely and it's a great excuse for wearing REALLY silly socks :o) Xx

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  8. Those are the cutest socks I have ever seen :D. I take care of my feet even this time of the year or I would regret it next summer. The Express Pedi looks scary but if you say it doesn't hurt. I'll check it out. Also I love all Burt's bees products.

    xx Mira

    www.glamdevils.com

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    1. Yes I did think it looked a bit like some form of torture tool, but I was pleasantly surprised and swear by it now :o). xx

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  9. I love your socks ! Your post is so interesting, I only use a hemp balm from The Body Shop but I think I'll try one of those product :)xx
    http://remainreverie.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you so much, they're great fun - but drive the cat nuts! Xx

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  10. Ohhh lovely socks!!! I really love it!!! It's so cute.
    I really need take care my feet ;9
    Thank you for sharing ;)
    Kisses
    The diary of Indian Savage

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  11. Loving those socks, have one with frog prince drawing. really cute.

    http://thinkworkandgo.blogspot.com/

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    Replies
    1. There's nothing like snuggle up with some fun socks :o). Xx

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  12. Great post! I also use Avon spray but in mint flavour, it saved me last summer!!

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    1. They are all really lovely and great on warm summer days! Xx

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  13. This was a helpful post! I really should take better care of my legs and feet but never seem to have time or interest haha.

    http://lostlovedtiia.blogspot.com

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    1. Hiya Tiia - I know what you mean, it's not exactly at the top of the list of priorities, but once it's done - it feels great :o). Xx

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  14. Those socks are so cute haha. I wanted to give myself a full pedicure over summer but never got round to it. Now that it's cold again, it's even easier not to do it! I definitely need to treat my feet better though. Might make some time over the weekend!

    IAmLinderella.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. Ah, you should - make yourself a lovely cup of coffee or something and just pamper yourself :o). Xx

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  15. I like to take care of my feet too through all the year, they are very sensitive and tend to hurt easily with shoes. Your socks are the cutest every, I want them!:) Kisses! xo

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    1. Hiya Lilli, thank you so much that's really nice of you :o). Hope you'll visit again soon. Xx

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  16. I justify winter pedicures by saying people will see them at Yoga! And yes, I love a professional mani/pedi, but considering how fast polish can chip, I often do them myself in between :) I also manage to get my boyfriend to rub my feet with Mary Kay Mint Lotion, which is super soothing after a long day (this now requires bribery on my part, but it's his own doing, he introduced me to foot massages!...he now uses them openly as a negotiating tool).

    jess | Quaintrelle

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    1. Ooh, you need to teach me how to get the other half to do that! Sounds amazing! :o) Xx

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  17. I have tried the Burt's Bees foot lotion. I am not sure if it is the same, but the bottle looks similar. I did not like it as it's a bit thin. I prefer something thicker for my feet. I would give the Scholl Express Pedi a go.

    Min x

    http://www.minsbeautyequipment.com/

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    1. I hope you like it as much as I do :o). Xx

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  18. The footie socks are so cute and I have to give that peppermint lotion a try because I really like Burt's Bees products <3

    xoxo
    -B ♡ MsBerryStylish 

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    1. Thanks a million - I don't think you'll be disappointed, it's a lovely and refreshing lotion :o). Xx

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  19. The socks are super adorable!

    Ahhh...Avon! Once upon a time, I was an Avon lady, lol. It was so much fun until I realized that I enjoyed buying the products more than selling them. :-P But anyhow, I agree, their foot sprays are some of the best I've tried, and that's one of the reasons why I'm still attracted to the brand -- it sells a lot of household goods/staples (which I consider foot sprays to be) at very reasonable prices.

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    1. Oh really?! That's great - then you'll know all about the best products! I really do like the foot sprays - they're cheap and cheerful and do the job :o). Xx

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  20. Oi Flor seu blog é perfeito amei os post's tbm já estou seguindo te convido a conhecer o meu e se possível seguir :D Beijos Lú
    www.simpleseperfeitaluanathaiana.blogspot.com.br

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    1. Thank you so much, that's so nice of you! Following you now :o). Hope to see you back here again soon! Xx

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  21. Great post x

    kristasclothes.blogspot.co.uk

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  22. i could use some of these products! Really need treatment for my feet they are cracking from this weather
    Delightful Ideas
    $45 Giveaway

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    1. Oh no, it's horrible when that happens - in that case the heel softening cream would be perfect for you. Xx

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    1. Thanks a million, the cat hates them :o). xx

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  24. I love the Burt's Bees foot care line, they have some of the best things! I love the Peppermint lotion, smells amazing. Have you tried their coconut foot cream? Ahhh, it's great!

    xo's, Lily | beautywithlily.blogspot.com

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    1. Now, but what a great recommendation - I love coconut so will definitely try that when I've finished this one :o). Xx

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  25. I completely agree with you on footcare and how easy it is to ignore your feet. Some years ago, Avon Foot works' products were my fav but after leaving India, could not find them anymore so switched to Scholl's. They are good too. Here in Singapore it is very convenient to get professional Mani and Pedi... so love to indulge :) Btw, the socks are the cutest thing I have seen of late... xx
    Neha
    http://momthediva.blogspot.sg

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    1. Thanks a million, that's so nice of you :o). Xx

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  26. Great post. When I was in pregnant I had a problem to take care of the feet I should. After that I do every Wednesday spa of my feet :)

    www.antymarka.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you so much. Sounds like a great, relaxing weekly routine . Hope you'll visit again soon :o). Xx

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  27. I definitely need something like this for my feet, as the cold weather and heels combo is killing my feet. I love your socks too, they rock! x
    Heroine In Heels

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    1. Hello Laura, thanks a million for visiting. It's just so relaxing to give your feet some TLC every now and then - thank you - I love to snuggle up in them. Hope to see you here again soon! Xx

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