For your next pamper session, follow these easy tips for giving yourself a manicure and priming your feet with a pedicure, plus a few at-home scrubs and treatments. They're perfect for pampering your hands and feet at home, and get you feeling youthful and gorgeous.

Part 1

1

Manicure magic

Our hands can be one of our biggest beauty hang ups , and manicures can be expensive to get at a salon - so why not pamper yourself with this deluxe home version? It's easy, relaxing, and will leave your hands and nails looking glamourous (yet soft).

  • Remove nail polish with a non-acetone nail polish remover.

  • File nails into a slightly rounded or square shape.

  • Soak your nails in a bowl of warm water, or apply an over-the-counter cuticle softener before pushing cuticles back with a stainless steel cuticle pusher. If you are clipping cuticles, first apply a bit of cuticle cream, then trim conservatively (only what sticks out).

  • Cleanse your hands with soap and water, using a nailbrush. Dry well and massage in hand cream.

  • Clean fingernails, using a wooden orange stick (you can get them in the nail care section of your pharmacy), topped with a piece of cotton, dipped in remover.

  • Apply base coat of nail polish, two layers of polish and then topcoat to your nails.

  • There you go! One gorgeous and easy manicure achieved - all at your home salon.

2

Pedicure power

Pampering your feet is the ultimate luxury, yet few people make time for it. Create a DIY pedicure that will bring the spa experience home and get you feeling your best .

  • Fill a tub or foot bath with warm water and add a handful of your favourite bath salts. Then add a tablespoon of olive oil and soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes.

  • Rub an exfoliating body scrub into the bottoms of your feet. Then use a foot file to pumice away calluses. Rinse with cool water.

  • Clip your toenails and file them into a square shape. Gently push back (don't cut) your cuticles.

  • Dry your feet off and apply moisturiser. Slick on a base coat, two coats of polish and top coat to your toe nails.

Part 2: Step up to Common Hand and Foot Skin Problems

If you feel your hands and feet might be a little worse for wear and suffering from some unsightly symptoms, try these easy cures for the most common hand and foot skin problems. Your hands and feet will be back in tip-top shape in no time - so you can give them the manicure or pedicure they deserve.
1

Eczema

Caused by: Dry irritated skin and painful cracks on fingertips are often due to over-washing hands and nails.

Cure: A creamy moisturiser will raise your skin's barrier moisture level; wash hands as little as possible. Avoid using lactic or glycolic acid cleansers or moisturisers on your hands and nails - they can sting.


Try: Wearing white cotton gloves beneath rubber gloves on your hands when washing up or doing housework such as cleaning the bathroom.

2

Corns

Caused by: The thickened skin on your feet is a reaction to underlying pressure from a bone spur under the skin.


Cure: Periodically shave down the corn or callus at home with a pumice stone or emery board. Avoid wearing narrow shoes and high heels on your feet, which put more pressure on toes.


Try: Putting a medicated doughnut pad around the corn to take pressure off it.

3

Athlete's Foot

Caused by: Moist, warm areas on the body (anywhere you sweat), which allow fungus to thrive.


Cure: See a dermatologist, who will prescribe an anti-fungal cream. Also, let your skin breathe as much as possible, use powder to keep feet dry and avoid wearing leather footwear. 


Try: Putting half of a cotton ball between your smallest toes to keep them apart.

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