A pedicure can be the ultimate in pampering, but maintaining a fresh pedicure can be a challenge to your time and your budget. A good pedicure leaves your feet silky smooth and soft, and you don't need a weekly pedicure to maintain those feel-good effects. In fact, you can keep your feet soft after the pedicure and make the effects last a little longer.
Step 1
Use a gentle exfoliating scrub five days a week when you wash your feet. Choose one made with salt or sugar to slough away dead skin cells and keep your feet smooth. Look for one that's oil-based rather than soap-based to get a little extra moisturizing.
Step 2
Rub rough spots on your feet twice a week in the shower, using a loofah or a foot file. If your feet stay soft, a loofah is a good option, but if you're prone to hard spots and rough patches, consider a foot file.
Step 3
Rub cuticle oil on your toenails once or twice a week to keep nails from getting ragged.
Step 4
Use a moisturizing foot balm after every shower to keep your feet smooth and hydrated. Look for one with peppermint, which invigorates and heals your skin, and concentrate on the spots that are prone to dryness--for most people, that means the heels and the cuticles.
Tips and Warnings
- If you want to keep your pedicure's polish looking fresh, "Allure" magazine recommends touching up your toes with polish-extending topcoat a couple of times a week or as needed.
- Be careful after applying balm to your feet because it can make hard surfaces slippery.
Things You'll Need
- Loofah or file
- Exfoliating scrub
- Cuticle oil
- Foot balm
