Get your feet festival ready!

Good Afternoon all, back again with a post I've been meaning to do forever. With winter finally behind us (can I hear a hallelujah), It's time to get our minds on the festival season. One thing that always makes an appearance on those spring festival days is the flip flop. If the thought of donning them is enough to send you running for the hills, this post is for you. So for all those feet that have been neglected over winter, your makeover is here!

The main issues that plaque unkempt feet are dry, cracked heels, rough skin, fungal nail infections, discoloured nails and even athletes foot. These are all common foot issues that need addressing before we want to bare them to the public. But fear not, you don't have to spend a huge amount of money on pedicures or the like to feel like you can redeem your toes. Fear not and read on...

One of the many problems that can arise over winter is dry, cracked skin. The only remedy I even think of using now is my Scholl Velvet Smooth Pedi Electric Hard Skin remover which is my absolute, cannot live without, go-to product. I've already written an extensive review on it here, but for those of you who didn't see it, it has an electric buffer that takes away dry skin easily and painlessly. It's a far quicker and easier method than manually using a buffer and you notice the results immediately.

Following the removal of all that dry skin, we need to ensure that the dryness doesn't re-appear. My advice is to apply Johnsons Baby Oil all over the feet and then put on cotton socks before bed. If you do this every night (or every other night), you will notice that not only will your feet look nicer, but they'll feel a great deal smoother too.

And finally, something I know that none of us like to admit, is the condition of our nails. Nail polish makes it easy for us to ignore potential fungal nail infections. Wearing of plastic shoes has made the feet a lovely home for fungal nail infections and many of us will have an infection we aren't even aware about. But, If like me you don't even want to risk getting one before summer, you can use these at home remedies to keep them looking clean and healthy.

Method 1: Soak your nails in one part apple cider vinegar and one part water. Do this daily for around two weeks and you will notice the fungal nail infection disappear. This works because apple cider vinegar is known to kill bacteria and fungi due to it's slightly acidic nature.

Method 2: Mix one part white vinegar and two parts of water. It helps if the water is luke warm. Repeat this process for 10-15 minutes twice daily until the infection is gone. White vinegar is perfect as it fights the fungus whilst also maintaining pH balance.

Method 3: Rub tea tree oil onto a cotton wool pad and apply to the nails. Leave this on for around 15-20 minutes and then wash off. Follow the oil with a small amount of baking soda on an old toothbrush and gently scrub the nails. This has the dual purpose of clearing the nail of infection and exfoliation.

There are many products on the shelves that claim to rid you of fungal nail infections but my research shows that many are either very expensive or simply do not work. These at home remedies are far cheaper and work just as well.

Finally, the fun part of prepping your feet. Once you have rid your feet of dry skin and any lingering nail infections, you can now paint your nails to really make them pretty. My advice is light summery colours such as Daisy Trail or Hippy Chic by Rita Ora (for Rimmel). Or if you want something longer lasting (and don't we all) try a shellac nail treatment. They last around 3-4 weeks and usually cost around £15-£20 depending on where you go. I've recently purchased my own shellac kit so I have been doing my own.

So there you have it, my ultimate 'Feet Prep' Guide. Once you feel good about your feet, no pair of flip flops will ever scare you again. Plus, I always love a good pamper session of yours truly. Until next time my lovelies! 

Laura.