It’s sandal season! If you’ve been neglecting your feet, it’s time to get them in shape with these insider pedicure tips:

Rehydrate
In order to get feet ready for the warmer months, it is important to add moisture back into the heels and skin that have become dehydrated from the winter months. Try these simple remedies:

  • Milk pedicures will save the day. Mix ½ cup of hot water with 1 cup of milk and add a spoonful of sugar. This will moisturize and prevent calluses. Soak feet for at least 10 minutes.
  • Working a foot scrub into your heels is a great way to remove dead skin. Avoid using pumice stones, since they trap bacteria; try using a diamond file instead.
  • After feet are fully exfoliated, rinse, moisturize with a non-greasy lotion and begin painting.
  • Shea Butter, light oil or Vaseline can be used to moisturize the heels and help prevent cracking.
  • If you have blisters, leave them for the professionals. You’ll end up doing more harm than good if you try to pop them.

Make it last
Get the most out of your pedicure with these tips:

  • A clear top coat is your best friend. Be sure to apply a top coat on the third day of your pedicure.
  • Never use protein-enriched and strengthener products together. Using both will cause your polish to crack. Try to only apply a nail protein to bare nails
  • Apply a cuticle oil to the base of your toenails, focusing around the cuticle area to hydrate and bring moisture into the skin, helping the polish last longer.

Keep Up
You can never care for your feet too often, but it isn’t necessary to do weekly pedicures, either. Once every two weeks is sufficient during the warmer months.

By Skyy Hadley

Skyy Hadley is a beauty expert, celebrity manicurist and owner of As “U” Wish Nail Spa in Hoboken, N.J.