Put Your Best Foot Forward

Give yourself a pedicure in the comforts of your home, using ingredients that are readily available in the kitchen.

1. Remove any nail polish. Fill a tub with warm water, adding in a squirt of shampoo, a spoonful of salt, and a few drops of both lemon juice and olive oil. Now soak your feet in it for 5-10 minutes.

2. Rid your feet of dead skin and boost circulation, i.e., you need exfoliation. Here a few homemade scrubs you can try:

• Mix olive oil, salt, and lemon juice in a 2:2:1 ratio for a quick scrub.
• Mix egg and baking soda in a 1:2 ratio for a smoothening and brightening scrub.
• Massage the scrub on your feet concentrating on the soles and toes, and then wash it off.

3. Now that you are done with the scrub, it is time to apply a mask. You can use any of the following:

• Mix olive oil and honey in a 1:3 ratio for a super softening effect.
• Mix oatmeal, olive oil, honey, and lemon juice in 2:2:2:1 ratio for soft and bright feet.
• Apply the mask and leave for 10 minutes; then wash with cold water.

4. Now trim and file your nails. Cut your nails straight across and then file in your desired shape. Remember to file in one direction.

5. Massage slightly warm olive oil (you can use a lotion instead) on your nails to soften the cuticles and then push them back with an orange stick.

6. Moisturize your feet with your favourite lotion or olive oil.

7. Wipe your nails with nail polish remover, and there you go!

Doing this once every two weeks would be good enough.