Recently in Feet Category

One of my favorite things to do in NYC is to spa with my girlfriends.  We love to treat ourselves at the Cowshed spa at SoHo House (private manicure rooms where you're reclined on a large and cushy chair!). It's serious urban heaven and you need to go if you live in NYC or are in the city to visit!  They also have an amazing line of products I've recently become addicted to (my son loves the baby line, too!).  Especially the Sandalwood Intensive Hand & Foot Treatment-- it saves me over fashion week (you don't want to know what stomping around the city in dangerously high heels for hours each day do to my feet) as it transforms my dry hands and hard heels and makes them soft and supple (instantly!). It also smells yummy with sandalwood essential oil, jojoba oil and vitamin E (to deeply hydrate the skin.) At Cowshed spas (they have many locations worldwide but I've only been to the NYC one) and SoHo House website here.

Swimming, beaching, hiking, biking-- great fun summer activities that wreak havoc on your manicures and pedicures! If you can't get to the nail salon weekly don't fret, there are many ways to keep your fingers and toes fresh and pretty. You don't have to invest in expensive scrubs or lotions either. I rely on a mixture of olive oil/sugar/lemon juice and a tube of Aquaphor-- it is a miracle balm for both hands and feet and will keep your cuticles hydrated until you can get to the nail salon.

Directions: Mix 1 tablespoons of olive oil with 1 tablespoon of sugar (enough for hands and feet) and a few drops of lemon juice in a bowl (if you squeeze fresh lemon, use the remaining lemon rind on your elbows, knees and heel to exfoliate the rough skin patches there).  Step into tub and scrub feet and legs first.  Apply the balance of scrub to hands, scrubbing gently around cuticles.  Rinse well with water.  Your hands and feet should be silky smooth and oh so soft!

Optional: Rinse nails off with a little soap and water to remove oily residue.  Apply clear coat of polish and voila, insta mani/pedi! 

* Beauty Tip:  Apply Aquaphor daily to hands and feet-- even while traveling and especially before diving into pool to protect the cuticles from drying out and the polish from yellowing.

Aquaphor $5.99 here

I'll admit it, when I first heard of Josie Maran's line of products I did not plan to try or buy anything (I know, such the beauty snob huh?!?).  But then I got a sample of the Argan Oil and have decided re-form my opinion on models turned beauty entrepreneurs.  This legendary, lightweight oil, grown organically in Morocco, is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids but does not feel sticky as a lot of E oils do.  I used it this morning as a moisturizer (absorbs amazingly fast) and then used it all over my body from head to toe (including my cuticles) and split ends. For a mom who does not have a lot of time in the morning, this is almost a miracle product.  My skin has had a subtle glow all day but I don't feel greasy. 

Best part is it's 100% organic!  Housed in a recyclable glass bottle with an easy to use applicator, I even used it on my son's rash and the redness went away almost immediatley.  The only drawback is the scent, it stinks.  But god is it good.  Just make sure you spritz on some perfume afterwards.  $48 at Josiemaran.com

Save time and money with the 1 minute Mani/Pedi scrub from Barielle!  The 12oz jar of Dead Sea Salts is a fast-acting exfoliating treatment, it only takes one minute to exfoliate and polish away dry, cracked skin with this luxurious blend of Dead Sea Salts and rich oils. The perfect prep to manicures and pedicures, the exclusive formulation includes the healing and polishing powers of Dead Sea Salts and the hydrating benefits of Soybean, Avocado, Jojoba, Rice Bran and Grape Seed Oils, as well as the ultra-moisturizing effects of Mango Seed Butter. Drench hands and feet in 60 Second Mani-Pedi, concentrating on cuticles and areas prone to dry skin, such as heels, the bottom of feet and backs of hands--even elbows can benefit from this scrub. 60 Second Mani-Pedi's fresh, mandarin scent also offers a relaxing, aromatherapy a-peel!

I love having getting manicures and pedicures but hate that it takes so long to get "groomed". The 60 second mani/pedi is going to be my saviour on days I can't make it to the spa! $25 at Barielle.com

UPDATE: Shoe Goddess responds to Heidi's post! 

As much as I sympathize with Heidi's pain, I wonder if there was any preliminary sign to her foot situation and if she always wore well made shoes? I kind of see the article as a terrible blow to all the women (aged 50+) who gracefully wear high heels without the need of a trainer to teach them how to keep their balance in their high heels. This article also seems complete nonsense to me as a 45-year-old French woman, who has been wearing heels since I was 16 years old. I understand both Heidi and her mother's issues with high heels, but I also wonder if there were any steps that could've been taken before reaching the extreme. Although narrow shoes and high heels can contribute to bunions (hallux valgus) there is also a hereditary factor and choosing the right pair of shoes is really important. (jump to read more!)

Just in time for the cool weather when we all start to cram our feet into stuffy boots and shoes, comes Verikira Naturals Fresh Feet Foot Creme ($26). It's a lot greasier than L'Occitane Shea Butter Foot Cream ($25), which I've previously used and it's blended with essential oils of Patchouli, Tea Tree, Thyme, Basil, Geranium, and Cinnamon so it's great for those averse to mint which is what almost every foot product seems to be formulated with! It also helps with fungal issues because its formulation, which is 82% organic, includes vinegar! If you're looking for an even quicker fix, Peppermint Deodorant Foot Stick ($7.99) is technically for men, but ladies can enjoy this as well and the stick is conveniently compact so you can toss it in your bag for on-the-go touch-ups. It contains peppermint oil to help with foot circulation--keeping your feet dry and odorless throughout the day and a percentage of proceeds from the woman's line are donated to a breast cancer foundation:)

I have a personal issue with dry, calloused feet (gross, I know). But the calluses come from my hiking hobby and at this point prevent me from acquiring any new blisters, so when my pedicurist asks me if she can remove them I say "leave 'em on!" This doesn't however, mean that I like my feet to fall into a state of disrepair.  So I have a heavy handed supply of exfoliating scrubs at the ready in my shower. It's hard to get the perfect exfoliator, really, and I think I have come damn close with Tootsie Tune Up ($20 for an 8oz jar) from 5^th Ave Beauty.  I love the course, thick consistency -perfect for the heels and balls of my feet! It makes the skin on my feet feel soft and pampered while allowing me to stay protected from  painful blisters. Follow with Foot and Leg moisturizer to give your feet a minty fresh feel =)

Also, I have been using their Pillow & Linen Spray ($8 for 2oz bottle) a couple times a week and it is so refreshing and relaxing to fall asleep to a light clean scent! Plus, their spray is Alcohol free which means it won't stain your pillow case!!

SpaRitual has just launched some new moisturizing lotions and bath salts! Besides smelling and feeling great (looove Eucalyptus..more on that later in the post!), the lotions are 83% USDA Certified Organic, paraben-free, and infused only with consciously sourced Organic Essential Oils (Australian Eucalyptus, Egyptian Geranium, and Somalian Frankincense), and Instinctual Organic Bath Salts infused with Madagascan Ginger Oil. This line is great because it mixes amazing quality with an eco and spirit-conscious philosophy. SpaRitual claims (and something about the way their creams smell makes me agree...), that their lotions calm the mind, relax the body and recharge the spirit. Read more for a mini-rundown on some of their stand-out products!

How cute and perfect are these? How many times have you walked around after a pedicure with twisted up paper towels in between your toes? Totally not glamorous, although girls see you and understand your pain. These toe separator sandals is the solution to your post pedi blues. You put these on right before the color goes on and walk right out with perfect toes. They come in a variety of colors, even metallic and this camouflage shown here. Now all I have to do is remember to bring them with me. At Pedi Couture for $24.95.

It’s almost embarrassing to say, but I have an aversion to mint to the point where I still use bubble gum toothpaste! That said, when wearing heels is part of your day-to-day life and summer is fast approaching, it’s definitely time to crank up the heat on your foot-care. Mint seems to be especially effective for foot creams (maybe because of the potent smell!?). I’ve tested out a few and one that seems to work well is Peppermint Foot Therapy The line is dedicated solely to feet products, so I figure they must mean business! (More after the jump!)