Ditching tights for open-toe sandals is all well and good, but are you ready to expose your feet to the world after months of hiding them in your favourite winter boots?
Unless you manage to squeeze in monthly pedicures at the spa, your feet are probably in need of a bit of pampering before they're fit for public viewing.
The easiest, quickest and cheapest solution to this? Do your own pedi at home.
Want to know how its done? Expert podiatrist Margaret Dabbs shares her five top tips on how to get shame-free feet this summer:
1. Remove hard skin
It's important to foot file on dry feet once a week (before bathing.) Always file hard areas such as big toes and heels in soft strokes towards the underneath of your foot. If you file upwards, you will be left with a ridge. Choose your tools wisely too - avoid the use of any implement which resembles a kitchen gadget as these remove the skin unevenly and can cause splits, weakness and cracks in the skin and can lead to infection. The new Margaret Dabbs Exfoliating Foot Mousse is great for replenishing the skin with oil whilst ground tea tree and pumice work to remove dead skin cells.
2. Buff toenails
Nails can be discoloured for a number of reasons, from fake tan which to old varnish which has left dehydration and staining. They can be markedly improved by buffing the nail to remove the discolouration and reduce thickness without causing any damage. Nails should be filed straight across to give that groomed finish.
3. Moisturise
Feet should be moisturised every day and don't be tempted to use a balm on thickened areas of hard skin. Whilst this may temporarily improve the look of the foot, it actually sits on the skin which weakens the tissues and can lead to cracks and fissures. It is much better to use a product that is non pore clogging and replenishes the lower layers of the skin, hydrating from the inside up.
4. Try Emu oil
This natural by‐product found under the feathers of the Emu has been used for hundreds of years in Australia for its medicinal properties. It's renowned for its anti‐bacterial and anti‐fungal qualities as well as having a very low irritability factor (as low as water), making it suitable for all skin types. It's easily absorbed into the skin and whilst it's an excellent and effective moisturiser, it doesn't leave a greasy film. This is really important as the last thing you want when moisturising feet is for them to cause slippage.
5. Dress your feet up!
Once your feet are feeling exfoliated and moisturised, add a couple of coats of your favourite nail polish colour to complete your pedicure.
Need new nail shades for Spring/Summer? Shop a few of our favourites and see more beauty tips below: