Most salons have pedicure options that include soothing leg masks and even brief massages. If you're feeling like Jaden Smith, you can also paint your nails (unless you're a beach club employee, hardly anyone is going to notice).
We warn you: you'll almost certainly be tickled by a pedicure at some point and you'll be afraid to kick the person who's taking care of your feet at the moment. Don't worry: even the most ticklish people in the world survive a pedicure.
The benefits of a pedicure
The best part about making an appointment with a pedicurist is the care your nails receive. Think about how difficult it is to cut your nails safely, without risking them being too short. The pedicure will also remove all excess dead skin and dirt, which could be responsible for the formation of fungus. Over the next month your nails will grow well and look good. You will want to show your feet even in winter.
The –other– best part of a pedicure is when they clean all the dead, dry skin off your feet. Calluses are ground, and after exfoliating, a soothing lotion responsible for restoring moisture and keeping skin soft is applied. No more razor-sharp heels or unsightly yellow stains on the soles of your feet.
After the specialist has buffed away all the dead skin and dirt from your feet, the end result is healthier feet and therefore less chance of unwanted odors and a build-up of bacteria and fungus. Pair the treatment with some powder and moisture-wicking socks so you're never afraid to take your shoes off in front of your friends ever again.
Okay, there's one more benefit you're going to get from this men's pedicure: it improves circulation in your feet and stimulates your joints in the same way that a regular massage can rejuvenate your entire body. Thanks to the agility and smoothness with which you will leave the aesthetic center, you will want to strap on a pair of trainers and start running. Remember to use insoles to minimize pressure and use the polish + lotion combination to get rid of calluses from the moment they start to form.
Everything you need to do your own pedicure at home
You need a toenail clipper that cuts sharp and straight. Unlike fingernails, the curved cut is detrimental to the toes, as it can promote undercoating. Also make sure that it is ergonomic, that is, that it adapts to your hand and your fingers, to exert the necessary pressure and thus obtain an optimal result.
Be careful with this step, as you don't want to end up filing away healthy skin and marring the surface of her foot. Glide this electric scrub over any rough spots and watch the dead skin fall off your feet like dust. It's a miraculous gadget that should have a place in the toiletry bag of every man on the planet.
After soaking your feet in warm water, use a gritty exfoliating lotion. You will feel a comforting freshness and enormous softness. Along with a good moisturizing lotion, this cosmetic combination will promote and improve the feel of your feet. Still, don't do this daily: two or three times a month will suffice.
After gently rubbing your feet together, pat them dry and cover them with a refreshing and nourishing lotion. You'll feel an instant tingle, magnified if you let all the product soak in and then wrap your feet in clean socks. Better yet: do this before bed to wake up the next day feeling refreshed (and smelling great). Make this step a daily habit.
To keep your feet soft and fresh, get in the habit of sprinkling moisture-wicking powder on your socks and shoes. This will keep them from soaking in their own dirt all day, and in turn, will fight bacteria, fungus, and in some cases, blisters as well.
If yours is a case of athlete's foot or you suffer from a fungal infection, keep an antifungal handy for the occasional bout of yellowing, bad odor and other nasties (though these should stay off your feet if you follow through with the rules). these steps consistently).
*Subject originally published in the US version of GQ.
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