Why Didn't Anyone Tell Me? A Guide to Cute Feet

Sun's out, toes out! When the weather gets warmer, we get cuter options for footwear with sandals and flip-flops leading the way. But if your heels are callused and your toes have seen better days, you may find that you are less excited about the prospect of open-toed footwear. Never fear, your girl is here with a guide to keeping your toes as cute as possible at home!

1. Don't go barefoot

First of all...if you wear shoes in your home...stop doing that, its just gross. But if you go barefoot at home, wear socks or slippers! Barefoot, even at home, can cause calluses and damage to your feet.

2. Exfoliate!

Whaaa...even your feet?? Yes! I personally love the Babyfoot Peel for a bi-annual, at-home pedicure. This magical yet gross process starts with your pre-soaked feet in plastic booties and ends a few days later with sheets (that's right...I said sheets) of dead skin peeling off your feet. It gives you the same, enthralled feeling of disgust you get when you look at a pore strip with a forest of gross gunk that you just pulled out of your nose.

My little one insists on helping peel off the sheets. After a few years of use I have less dramatic results but still worth it!

To make sure this works for you, soak your feet first! The longer, the better but 20 minutes is the minimum. Also, it will eat through nail polish so apply your color after. Do not use lotion and if your feet aren't peeling in a couple of days, soak your feet again and you should find that will expedite the peeling!

Using a pumice stone or a foot file in the shower can also help but I have found these only work if I have already soaked my feet for a while.

3. Heel Balm Lotion

This is specifically designed balm that is meant to address the heel fissures that form in callused feet. I am currently using Kerasol but I will try Flexitol next. The best way to use this is to apply it on slightly damp feet (like after a shower) and then seal it in with cotton socks. For more dramatic results, use regularly but I find that I can maintain soft feet with occasional use.

4. Moisturizing Socks

Sleeping with socks may feel weird if you are not used to it, but it is technically supposed to help your brain get ready to sleep...and if you get silicone-lined ones, it can be used as an overnight moisturizing treatment. Normally I use it on long-haul flights but with the pandemic, I have added this to my nighttime routine too. I find these socks to be very warm so I have found gel heel socks to be a possible alternative for anyone else who finds socks to be too warm.

5. Take Care of your Toenails

An easy way to make sure your feet look good is to keep the toenail length shorter than the toe. It veers into unkempt category as it gets longer. Pick colors that pop against your complexion, my darker skinned sisters look good with yellow and orange as unexpected choices but a dark red or black is a moody and elegant choice, especially in the fall or winter.

I typically do not bother with primer/top coats when it comes to my toenails since they seem to last FOR-EVER when compared to my manicures. I recently did my own gel polish on my toenails because I only had yellow polish in gel form and I am certain that I will have this color till I am at least 80 years old.