Isn’t it happy-making to glance down at freshly pedicured toes? That glossy finish, those neat cuticles, not a dry bit of skin in sight, plus the way your sandals look instantly more expensive.
And while a salon pedicure is - in most cases - a glorious and perfectly pampering thing, it’s also the kind of luxury that quickly adds up, and can’t always be justified, both in terms of time and cost.
Moreover, experts emphasise that when it comes to having healthy feet that are nice to look at, regular maintenance is key. We work our feet hard, and as such, they tend not to wait around in between appointments.
The good news is that with a few choice tools, and a little insider knowledge you can achieve great results without leaving the house. I spoke to podiatrist-turned-business woman and founder of her namesake clinics (my personal destination of choice for podiatry), Margaret Dabbs OBE, to discover her best-kept secrets for flawless feet.
Please note, when deciding whether to conduct an at-home pedicure , or to take your feet to a podiatrist, bear in mind that general maintenance and care = an at-home job. Anything weird, red, painful = professional territory.
Here’s what to do at home:
First things first…
Always begin by removing any nail polish or gel already on your nails. A clean canvas is key!
Consider foot-specific products
Foot maintenance is a niche area and accordingly the products need to work hard to make a difference. Dabbs uses the example of foot lotion: the skin on your feet is twelve times thicker than on the rest of the body, so requires something a little more intense.
Margaret Dabbs Foot Oil, (£23, margaretdabbs.co.uk) ; Margaret Dabbs Professional Foot File, (£30, margaretdabbs.co.uk) ; Navy Professional Doris Cuticle Pusher, (£42, navyprofesional.com) ; Chanel Le Vernis in Skieuse, (£30,chanel.com) ; Margaret Dabbs Miracle Foot Cream, (£22, margaretdabbs.co.uk)
Never file wet feet
It’s always best to begin with dry feet. This allows you to easily assess whether skin needs to be removed and from where.
Bid adieu to dry skin…
“All of the foot creams in the world won’t work as they need to if you leave hard skin in place,” explains Dabbs. “My Professional Foot File Professional Foot File, (£30, margaretdabbs.co.uk), is used in all the medical pedicures performed at my clinics, and is so good that it will not only remove all of the hard, dead, dry skin, but leave skin even and smooth. You can also use it to safely take off corns and any hard bit from your toes, including the ridge of that builds up under the little toe.”
Want salon-groomed nails?
Invest in a crystal nail file and file the nails straight across. Dabbs is keen to emphasise that the length you choose is key: having them either too short, or too long can cause problems. Essentially, you want them to protrude off your toes slightly, but not enough that they could catch on anything.
Jessica Phenomen Cuticle Oil, (£16.50, jessicacosmetics.co.uk) ; Elim MediHeel AHA Foot Exfoliant, (£30.00, elimspaproducts.co.uk) ; Margaret Dabbs Crystal Nail File, (£20, margaretdabbs.co.uk) ; Dior Crème Abricot Strengthening Nail Care, (£29.00, Dior.com) ; Hèrmes Nail polish in Rouge Casaque (£46, hermes.com)
Now it's time to soak and scrub!
“Next wet your feet and use a foot scrub, massaging it between the toes and all over the feet to ensure soft, fresh new skin,” advises Dabbs. After this, you can soak your feet if you enjoy the process. Dry the feet carefully, including between the toes, before applying a foot cream like the Miracle Foot Cream, (£22, margaretdabbs.co.uk), plus cuticle oil or serum. If you’re painting your nails or buffing them, you might want to do this before adding moisturiser, but moisturiser is non-negotiable!
Always go easy on your cuticles
If you need to push your cuticles gently back, that’s fine. Ensure they are well-hydrated and ease them gently away from your nail. It is otherwise best to avoid cutting, removing or tampering with them. Equally, no professional should go at your cuticles over-enthusiastically, fully ridding your nail of them. Our cuticles are there to protect the nail from bacteria.
Last but not least, remember maintenance is key
Incorporating a foot lotion into your daily routine, (and your foot file and scrub one weekly) will prevent the hard skin building up again and ensure feet that you can flash at any time.
