Ah, summer is here. Time for flip–flops, sandals… but after a winter spent in shoes and suffocating boots, you need to be skin smart to make your feet look their best, and to protect them.
You may notice blisters and callouses are more frequent during the hot summer weather. Blisters and callouses can come from the friction of rubbing skin, especially between the toes if you’re wearing flip–flops with “thongs”. Keep blisters clean and dry. NEVER burst a blister yourself; it can lead to infection. Be careful in self–care of callouses, too; have them checked by a podiatrist before injuring your feet, or worse.
Flip–flops may not hit the mark everyday. Don’t be tempted to wear flip–flops or flimsy sandals all through the summer. Wear open–toed sandals or go barefoot whenever you can in the heat to help stop your feet from getting sweaty and smelly. Get a pair of swim shoes for walking on rocky sharp items on the beach; this will avoid infection from cutting on shells and keep dangerous microbes from entering cuts when swimming. For those who choose to wear socks during the hot weather, it is recommended that you change them often, everyday. Be sure to select socks with fabric containing at least 70% cotton or wool. It will also keep your feet dry and free of odor–causing bacteria.
During the summer, the skin around the heels can become very dry and cracked. This occurrence is very common, often caused by open–backed sandals and flip–flops rubbing around the edge of the heel. Soaking your feet, whether at a professional spa or at home, can be a really relaxing and enjoyable experience. Use warm water with Epsom salts, and/or consider adding scented oils like gardenia, patchouli or peppermint (and get additional aromatherapy benefits). Do not soak in hot water, as that is dehydrating, drying and saps the moisture out of the feet. Pat feet dry and then use a foot file, emery board or pumice stone to gently rub away the hard skin. Finish by applying a rich moisturizing cream to soften the skin.
After the feet are skin smart, time to finish the look with a pretty pedicure. Now is the time to use proper nail clippers and cut straight across — but not too short; you don’t want to cut the skin (the quick) and cause possible infection. Filing back and forth can rip and weaken the nail. Use a file in one direction straight across to define toenail shape after cutting. This will lessen the chance of ingrown toenails.
I contacted Pascale Coeur-Locke, nail technician at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort‘s St. Somewhere Spa close to my hometown in Florida. She gave me the beautiful Caribbean blue nails I sported last year. Pascale has been an aesthetician for over 17 years as well as an educator/ trainer for high end spas and salons, specializing in natural nail care and helping women age gracefully. She has had a diverse set of celebrity clients such as Pamela Anderson, Jay-Z and Quincy Jones.
For pedicure treatments, Pascale uses OPI professional spa products on her customers:
- OPI Manicure/Pedicure Papaya Pineapple Scrub is an AHA alpha hydroxy acid scrub using natural sugar crystals plus safflower, canola and avocado oils, Vitamins E and A, and the natural anti-oxidants of the pineapple and papaya to exfoliate and smooth the skin
- OPI Manicure/Pedicure Tropical Citrus Soak purifies and contains coconut, lime and avocado extracts.
- OPI Avojuice Mango Hand and Body Lotion seals in moisture with aloe extract and avocado oil
For polish, customers’ favorite shades are OPI Infinite Shine 2‘s “To the Finish Lime”, “Endurance Race to the Finish” (Red) and “Wild Blue Yonder” Nail Lacquer and “Rose Against Time” Gel Lacquer.
I love visiting Margaritaville Resort’s St. Somewhere Spa when I go back home. This is their second year in the Miami area and they’re still offering the best services. You know you’re in the right place for warm weather footwear when you see the giant flip–flop sculpture in the lobby!
When the weather warms, and it’s time to go bare–footing. Put your best feet forward!
St. Somewhere Spa at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort
1111 North Ocean Drive
Hollywood, FL 33019
(954) 874-4429
http://www.margaritavillehollywoodbeachresort.com/spa/
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