A Complete Foot Guide: Pedicure, Home Recipes, Feet Health & Shoes

Learn how to do your own spa pedicure. This article will walk you through an easy ten-step pedicure process that you can do in the comfort of your own home. A cost-benefit analysis of doing a home pedicure versus a salon pedicure is shown for your benefit. There are many perks of doing a pedicure yourself versus letting a professional do it.

Each foot beauty recipe shown contains easy how-to instructions. The homemade foot recipes will also show you the costs of making each one. Considering you can make about 5 to 10 recipes at a lower cost than one store-bought one, the savings of home recipes is worth it. They also make great gifts.

Educate yourself on how to recognize foot health issues. Mastering the creation of these recipes can help with foot healthcare. This article will cover the causes, symptoms, and treatment of most major foot health problems. Also, credible medical website links have been provided for further reading.

Learn how to choose the right shoes. Upon studying foot care health issues, often one of the easiest and least expensive treatments for a health problem is wearing the right shoes. A popular list of nationwide shoe stores is given with a description of each and a link to locate the store nearest you.

1. 10 Step At-Home Pedicure

2. Cost Comparison of Pedicures

3. Foot Massage Technique Video

75% of the salons in the United States do not follow state protocol when it comes to safety and sanitary procedures. - Dr. Robert Spalding, Podiatrist

1. Clean Your Feet

2. Cut Your Toenails

3. Smooth Your Feet

4. Push Back Your Cuticles

5. Remove Your Old Nail Polish

6. Apply Toe Separators

7. Apply a Base Coat

8. Paint Your Toenails

9. Moisturize, and Apply Sun-block

10. Apply a Top Coat

Step 1: Clean Your Feet - After completing a warm, long bath, your toenails are soft and easy to cut. Also, when your feet are clean, smooth, and silky, you will be motivated to do your pedicure. Make it fun and relaxing!

Step 2: Cut Your Toenails - Trim your toenails straight across to avoid ingrown toe nails. File off ragged edges with a firm nail file. You can also use the nail file to buff the tops of your nails if they are ragged. It is important to smooth them over so that you can apply your toenail polish in a smooth and gentle way.

Step 3: Smooth Your Feet - Use a pumice stone to remove dead and rough skin from your heels or from the balls of your feet.

Step 4: Push Back Your Cuticles - Use a cuticle stick to push back the cuticles on your toe nails. This will ensure the smoothness of your toenails.

Step 5: Remove Your Old Nail Polish - With a firm cotton ball or two, use acetone or nail polish remover to get rid of any old nail polish that remains on your toenails.

Step 6: Apply Toe Separators - Once you paint your toenails, toe separators will ensure that you do not smudge one toenail's polish onto another one. Therefore, apply these foam separators before painting your nails.

Step 7: Apply a Base Coat - A base coat smooths your toenails to ensure the nail polish goes on without bubbles or bumps. Before painting your toenails with color, allow the base coat to completely dry.

Step 8: Paint Your Toenails - Pick a fun color of nail polish, and paint away. Apply one coat. Allow to dry, and then, apply a second coat. I personally like bright pink or red - colors that really stand out! I also enjoy purple; I have many purple bottles that "dry faster" than normal ones. Sometimes I am impatient or in a hurry, so I like the "jet dry" ones.

Step 9: Moisturize and Apply Sun-Block - After your polish has completely dried, keep your clean and beautiful toes perfect by applying lotion. This will keep your pumiced feet soft. Also, apply sun-block if your feet will be in the sun.

Step 10: Apply a Top Coat - A clear, finishing coat of nail polish can often harden your nails and ensure that the colored polish stays on your toenails longer..

While a nail salon can often do a better job and can be more fun, those of you who are on a budget, do pedicures on a regular basis, or cannot leave your home often enough to make going to a beauty salon for a pedicure a practical idea, should consider doing a homemade pedicure.

Not only is it more affordable, but the supplies used for an at-home pedicure can be used time and time again, making it even easier on your budget. Here is a brief comparison of the prices between a beauty salon and an at-home pedicure.

You have 72,000 nerve ending in your feet, and each one corresponds to a different area of your body. This is why a foot massage can have a full body relaxation effect. - Certified Reflexologist, Jennifer Moulden

Like most people with foot issues, an excellent foot massage is just what the doctor ordered. After a beautiful pedicure, a soothing massage will make you feel like a queen. This YouTube video by Gregory Gorey is a bit lengthy, but it is worth the time and effort to watch it.

He illustrates the techniques of experts. The foot massage is called the PsycheTruth Massage. Further information can be found on his website at BodyWorkMasters.com.

Did you know there are pressure points all over your feet which can relax various parts of your body? This means you can experience a full body's worth of relaxation with just a foot massage.

1. Overnight Homemade Oil Treatment

2. Aroma Homemade Foot Scrub

3. Budget Foot Exfoliant

4. Spa Overnight Massage Care

5. Relaxing Spa Foot Soak

6. Refreshing Breezy Foot Spray

7. Smooth and Easy Foot Powder

8. Proud Feet Smooth Moisturizer

9. Gritty Homemade Foot Scrub

• Cocoa Oil - $4.00

• Footies or Socks

Ingredients:

• Grapeseed Oil - $4.00
• Spearmint Oil - $6.00

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine 8 drops of Grape Seed Oil with 4 drops of Spear Mint Oil and 4 drops of Cocoa Oil.

2. Combine mixture.

3. Having clean feet, apply the mixture generously to your feet and cuticles.

4. Slip on your favorite footies or socks, and wear them with the oil on your feet overnight.

Ingredients:

• Body Oil - $3.50

• Brown Sugar - $3.00

• Ginger Essential Oil - $3.00

• Lemon Oil - $6.00

Directions:

1. Warm about half a cup of body oil in the microwave for around 30 seconds.

2. In a bowl, stir together 1 cup of brown sugar, 4 drops of Ginger Essential oil, and 4 drops of Lemon Oil.

3. Having just come out of a warm bath or having just soaked your feet in a foot spa basin in order to soften them up, apply the mixture of sugar and oils to your feet with a loofah or pumice stone, massaging it gently in, removing dead skin from your feet, leaving them super soft.

4. Rinse very well to remove all of the mixture from your feet.

5. Dry your feet slightly, and apply a thick lotion as they are a bit damp. This is the perfect environment for you to put on your favorite socks or booties. Give your feet a few hours to enjoy the after effects of the treatment before you take your socks off.

Ingredients:

• Sugar - $1.50

• Honey - $2.00

• Mayo - $2.00

• Lemon Juice - $2.00

Directions:

1. Mix together 2 tablespoons of Sugar with 2 tablespoons of Honey and 2 tablespoons of Mayo. Add two drops of Lemon Juice.

2. Massage the mixture to your feet.

3. Cover your feet with plastic wrap for 15 minutes.

4. Soak your wrapped feet in warm water in a bathtub or foot basin for about 15 minutes.

5. Exfoliate your feet by rubbing them vigorously with a soft washcloth.

6. Rinse completely, and pat dry.

Ingredients:

• Lavender Oil - $6.00

• Vegetable Oil - $2.00

• Rosemary Oil - $5.00

• Peppermint Oil - $5.00

• Pebbles - $6.00

Directions:

1. In a medium-sized foot spa basin, empty a small bag of pebbles. Fill with warm water. Add 3 drops of Lavender Oil.

2. Roll your feet across the pebbles for two minutes. Rest and soak your feet for 20 minutes in the basin.

3. Remove your feet, and pat your feet dry.

4. In a medium bowl, combine 1 teaspoon of Vegetable Oil, 5 drops of Rosemary Oil, 4 drops of Lavender Oil, and 3 drops of Peppermint Oil.

5. Massage this mixture firmly on your feet. Put on your favorite socks, and go to sleep!

The healing power of water brings relaxation and draws toxins out of your body through sweat glands in your feet.

Ingredients:

• Epsom Salt - $5.00

• Lemon Juice - $1.00

• Food Coloring - $5.00

• Peppermint Oil - $5.00

• Lavender Oil - $6.00

• Eucalyptus Oil - $3.50

Directions:

1. Combine 1 cup of Epsom Salt, 1/4 of a cup of Lemon Juice, 2 drops of food coloring, 2 drops of Peppermint Oil, 2 drops of Lavender Oil, and 2 drops of Eucalyptus Oil.

2. Soak your feet in the mixture for 30 to 45 minutes for a relaxing soak.

• Water - Free!

• Witch Hazel - $5.00

• Peppermint Oil - $5.00

Ingredients:

• Cornstarch - $2.00

• Baking Soda - $1.00

Directions:

1. Combine about 2 tablespoons of Cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of Baking Soda, 8 oz. of water, 4 oz. of Witch Hazel, and 5 oz. of Peppermint Oil

2. Pour mixture into a spray bottle. Use it as a nice refresher at a long day of walking the mall!

Use daily on dry feet, especially between toes, and sprinkle in your shoes and socks for continual comfort.

Ingredients:

• Cornstarch - $2.00

• Baking Soda - $1.00

• Lavender Oil - $6.00

Directions:

1. Combine in a bowl 1/2 a cup of Cornstarch, 1 tablespoon of Baking Soda, and 2 drops of Lavender Oil.

2. Place ingredient mixture into a baby powder type bottle in order to use as a daily foot powder.

Ingredients:

• Oatmeal - $1.00

• Rosemary - $4.00

• Milk - $2.00

Directions:

1. In a container, combine 2 cups of Oatmeal, 2 tablespoons of Dried Rosemary, and 3/4 cup of milk.

2. Apply the mixture generously to your feet.

3. Wrap your feet with a warm, damp towel for five minutes.

4. Using the towel, massage your feet in circles.

5. Rinse completely.

6. Dry your feet, and apply your favorite lotion.

It smooths and protects your feet, soothes foot pain and discomfort, and refreshes arches, toes, and heels.

Ingredients:

• Cornmeal - $3.00

• Eggs - $1.00

• Lemon Juice - $1.00

• Vegetable Oil - $2.00

Directions:

1. Combine 1/2 cup of Cornmeal, 2 egg yolks, 1/4 cup of lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of Vegetable Oil. Mix well.

2. Scrub this gritty mixture all over your feet, heels, and toes for a superb exfoliating product. Rinse off well.

• Foot/Ankle Swelling/Numbness
• Ingrown Toenails/Foot Sores
• Bleeding Corns/Calluses

1. Gout

2. Bunions

3. Plantar Warts

4. Athlete's Foot

5. Hammer Toes

6. Ingrown Toenails

7. Corns

8. Calluses

Cause: Joint Disease, Arthritis

Signs and Symptoms: Warmth, pain, foot swelling, redness, foot cramps, chills and a fever, nodules under the skin, or redness and tenderness of the joint

Treatment: Medication

Cause: Inheritance, Arthritis, Poor Fitting Shoes

Signs and Symptoms: Foot swelling, aching, redness, unusual tenderness, or a shiny area that is warm to the touch.

Treatment: Prescriptions, Over-the-counter pain medication, a heating pad, a warm foot bath, ice packs, specialized padding, splints, or shoe inserts

Cause: Virus

Signs and Symptoms: Pain when walking, sore feet, a callus on the sole, or dots on the center of the wart

Treatment: Over-the-counter medications, prescription medications, or minor surgery

Cause: Fungus or contact with another infected individual

Signs and Symptoms: Burning and itching on the toes and feet, foot pain, peeling and cracking skin, scaly skin, or a bacterial infection.

Treatment: Over-the-counter lotion, a cream or a spray, or a prescription

Cause: Muscle/Tendon imbalance

Signs and Symptoms: Foot pain, irritation, corns, calluses, inflammation, redness, burning, or open sores

Treatment: Hammertoe surgery, special padding, changes in shoes, shoe inserts, injection therapy, medications, splinting, or strapping

Cause: Heredity, trauma, improper trimming, injury, improperly sized footwear, or bad nail conditions

Signs and Symptoms: Pain, redness, foot swelling, sore feet, warmth in the toe, infection, drainage, or a foul odor

Treatment: Soaking, home treatments, or surgery

Cause: Wrong shoes or pressure

Signs and Symptoms: Pain or soreness

Treatment: Medicated pads, specialized padding for your shoes, or surgery

Cause: Pressure or repeated rubbing

Signs and Symptoms: Foot pain

Treatment: Medicated padding, reducing the friction, special padding, or surgery

1. Payless Shoe Stores

2. Footlocker

3. Famous Footwear

4. Converse Shoe Stores

5. Nike Shoes

Using these popular shoe stores or others you know of or find online, shop on the Internet to find excellent deals on the stores' websites, on Craigslist.com, on eBay.com, or on Amazon.com. Once you know your shoe size and the exact shoe you wish to purchase, price it at the store and online to ensure you are receiving the best deal. Keep in mind that you should always try shoes on at shoe stores before purchasing them, because while shoes may say they are your size, they may indeed be fit for someone not your size.

You now know how to keep your toe nails beautiful with a simple, homemade, inexpensive 10-step pedicure procedure. Also, you can keep your feet beautiful by apply home recipes on a regular basis. Use the recipes that work best for your feet. Learn how to look for feet problems, and learn what home remedies can help your feet issues. If you find that you have a medical condition in your feet, use the provided medical links to learn more about it. Finally, test out which shoe store is best for you financially, medically, and geographically. Take care of your feet, and keep them beautiful daily, and you won't regret it!

Pictures: Many of the pictures were retrieved for free from the Morgue File. The rest were free from 321ClipArt.

Recipes: The homemade foot recipes were in part adapted from Family Circle. The amounts obtained for the ingredients in the recipes were found on www.walgreens.com and on www.amazon.com. They are estimates created to give you an idea of the costs of the recipes.

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