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Winter is here and we’ve taken our scarves, heavy coats, woollen socks and boots out of the dark confines of our cupboards. If we’re single, some of us may have stopped shaving our legs and use the excuse ‘that no one will see them, anyway!’ Your feet, however, are another story. They might be out of sight but they should not be out of mind. After all, who carries you to the fridge for that late night, heart-warming chocolate brownie?

It all starts here

Your feet are the foundation of your body. They support you all day and sometimes all night. Whether you have beautiful arches or are flat-footed, your feet are yours for better or for worse. There is not much you can do about genetics. Blame your parents.

You can however begin to care for your over-looked friends by wearing the right shoes. That means good heel and arch support. No, you won’t be stuck with ugly Green Cross-like clogs. When it comes to your heels, literally look for a spring in your step.

Flat shoes are better than high heels but the ballet pumps which are currently fashionable are no good if they don’t offer arch support.

What’s the next step?

Pedicure! I know, it’s not always an option to pamper yourself and splurge on a day or even half an hour at your local spa. Howver, charity begins at home, right. So, here are the basics for a great DIY pedicure.

• Grab hold of some Epson salt and your favourite scented oil to soak your feet in a large basin of warm water, for about 10 minutes. Tea tree oil is also good to fight athlete’s foot.
• After you’ve dried your feet well, use a pumice stone to buff them and remove calluses.
• Next, exfoliate with a mixture of olive oil and kosher salt or raw sugar, to remove dead skin. Take this time to trim your toenails and file them in square shapes. Square is better than round to prevent ingrown nails.
• Soften the cuticles with some cuticle oil and push them back gently with a cuticle stick. This is to ensure that they don’t interfere with the nail polish you are now ready to apply. Make sure to use a base coat, to prevent nail discolouration, and a top coat, so that your polish will last longer.

Not just for the ladies

Men should also benefit from a pedicure, with or without the nail polish. And if you want more, a simple foot massage isn’t the only feel-good activity you can indulge in. I’ve just discovered foot yoga…

Tags: yoga