Post by The Big PINK One♥ on Apr 1, 2008 13:07:56 GMT -5
Clip Correctly
Like Avril Lavigne before she got married, your toenails are better with a little edge. Cutting corners sets you up for ingrowns and infections, says Hillary Brenner, D.P.M., an NYC podiatrist. Instead, trim straight across, using a larger version of your standard nail cutter with a straight blade, like the Tweezerman Limited Clipper ($10, available at drugstores). Smooth rough bits with a nail file.
Bring the Friction
Don't force the world to look at your scaly, cracked soles. Save your dignity with an exfoliating rubdown, care of Olay Thermal Pedicure Treatment ($10 for 4.9 oz, drugstore.com), then use a foot file like the Diamancel #11 ($50, blissworld.com) to buff the heels and balls of your feet.
Seal the Cracks
In the summer, exposing your feet to air can lead to cracks in your skin. That's how microbes get in and cause infection, says Carolyn Siegal, D.P.M., a Boston podiatrist. To smooth skin and prevent fissures, douse your feet in a cream containing water-binding hydrators like glycerin and urea. We like Eucerin Plus Intensive Repair Foot Creme ($5 for 3 oz, drugstore.com).
Push Yourself
To reveal the nail bed and make it easier to apply polish, gently nudge back your cuticles. First rub them with cuticle oil or a cotton swap dipped in olive or baby oil, then use an orange stick (found at any drugstore) to push the skin back from the nail--but don't go at it like a Lotto scratch-off ticket. Light pressure is all you need. Next, use the stick to carefully clean under the nails.
Stroke with Genius
Your handiwork will last longer if nails are clean, so wipe them with nail polish remover before slicking on a base coat. Then start painting on the polish: Brush down the middle of the nail first, applying a little pressure on the brush so it fans out; you should be able to cover the entire toe in three strokes. Cover with a clear topcoat. The tea tree oil in DuWop Toe Polish ($12, sephora.com) fights the threat of fungal infection.
{Source: Women's Health}
