7 Ways To Fight Fugly Feet This Summer
Pedi or not… It's summer! From living in your fave pair of sandals to going barefoot at the beach, your feet are constantly on display when the temperature rises. But before you snap that shoe selfie, make sure your tootsies are flip-flop ready (because, let's be serious, no one wants to see a gnarly callus, chipped polish or an ingrown toenail.). We chatted with Donna Perillo, founder of New York City's Sweet Lily Spa, about common problems that plague your feet in summer. Here's how to keep them looking fresh all summer long.
If you have rough, cracked heels…
Say yes way to shea butter and wash your feet with a bar like Soap & Paper Factory's Gardenia Bar Soap ($10, amazon.com). "Not only does shea butter help remove build-up in cracked heels, but it also helps soften hard skin, making it easier to exfoliate," says Perillo. After apply a balm (try: Freeman Beauty Lemon + Sage Foot Balm, $3.79, walgreens.com) to heels. For super silky skin, massage it all over nightly then slip on a pair of aloe and vitamin E infused socks to really hydrate.
If you have dry, flaky skin…
Posting up in the pool all day can majorly dry you out - chlorine dehydrates skin like whoa. So, if you're dealing with flakiness, reach for an exfoliating foot scrub like The Body Shop Peppermint Cooling Pumice Foot Scrub ($14, thebodyshop-usa.com). "Apply a teaspoon and rub in circular motions, focusing on the tops of feet and in between toes," says Perillo. Another perk of this peppermint-infused scrub? It also helps relieve aches and pains from wearing your favorite pair of wedges a little too much.
If you have calluses…
Those rough raised lumps that form on your big toe, along the sides and bottoms of your feet and on the backs of heels are caused when your shoes rub up against skin. Repeated friction kills skin cells on your feet and it creates a protective surface. The best way to kick calluses is with a foot file (like Tweezerman's Step-Two-It Foot File, $12, sephora.com). Use it in the shower on any hard patches of skin. It'll smooth heels and toes, so there aren't any rough spots peeking through your sandal straps.
If you have an ingrown toenail…
If your big toe suddenly becomes red and painful, you could be dealing with an ingrown nail. It happens when the corner of your nail grows into the surrounding skin, which totally puts a damper on showing off your latest pedicure. "The best way to avoid an ingrown is to file your toenails round at the corners," say Perillo. If you do get one, soak your foot in warm water a few times a day and wear comfy shoes that let your toes breathe. For ingrowns that just won't go away or if they become even more painful and appear infected, book an appointment with a podiatrist who can help.
If you have stinky feet…
The most embarrassing thing EVER is when you take off your shoes and realize that a smelly stench is coming from your feet. The wacky way to fight foot odor? The same way you deal with BO: Deodorant. Get a roll-on formula and apply it to the soles of your feet 15 minutes before you put on sandals. If you can't even with the thought of putting deodorant down there, washing with soap and water daily works as well.
If you have chipping, fading polish...
Even though nail polish on your toes seems to last a zillion times longer than your mani, you can still run into some issues, especially if you're spending tons of time at the beach or pool, where sand, chlorine and water can cause polish to chip caster. It's important to know the proper way to paint (and summer-proof) your next at-home polish job to make your pedi last as long as possible.
Start by giving your toes a tune-up by pushing back the cuticle with an orange stick dipped in non-acetone polish remover. "It removes any excess residue," says Perillo. "It's an important step since your nails need to be clean and dry for the polish to adhere properly." Once you paint on your favorite hue, apply a topcoat. After it's dry, paint on another layer of the topcoat. Doubling up extends the life of polish and helps prevent chipping.
Also, make sure to pick one with UV-protection like Zoya's Armor Topcoat ($6.94, amazon.com). "The number one cause of fading polish is from the sun," says Perillo. "Also keep in mind that pale pink and creamy shades tend to fade faster than darker hues."
If you have yellow toes...
Wearing polish all the time can cause your nails to take on a yellow-ish hue. While giving your tootsies a break from the polish will help, it can be hard when you're wearing sandals all the time. Always paint on a base coat to avoid the polish giving your nails a yellow-ish hue (but if this doesn't seem to nix any discoloration, switch to a 5-free polish that doesn't have any bad chemicals in it since it's less likely to stain).
