So you sifted through your closet on a sunny day, found a matching pair of sandals, whipped them on, looked down and thought: “Uurgh…, who let the ogres out…?” Say goodbye to your Fiona-feet girls, it’s time to pamper those steppers, not excluding the guys of course!

Unfortunately it’s not always possible (time-wise or financially) to go for a pedicure to make your feet look well-groomed. But because every girl deserves a pampering pedicure once in a while, why not do it at home, yourself. Send hubby to the mall with the kids and a shopping list of impossible things to find, and then gather the following items to start spoiling those feet:

• Big bowl of steaming hot water
• Towel
• Callus removal file / pumice stone
• Bath salts or fizzy bath balls
• Body/foot scrub (or a simple mixture of olive oil and sugar will do)
• Nail kit – (cuticle tool, nail clippers, nail file)
• Nail polish remover
• Cuticle oil or essential oil (or alternatively a very moisturizing cream)
• Toe separator (or cotton balls will work just as well)
• Nail polish, base coat and top coat
• Moisturiser with a fresh / fruity smell…

The pedicure:

1. Give your toenails a whoosh of cutex remover to remove any old traces of cutex you might still have from last summer…
2. Prepare your bowl of hot, steamy (but not boiling) water, and add a dash of bath salts for some aromatherapy.
3. Sit on a comfy chair and place your feet in the bowl of water. Soak for 5 – 10 minutes.
4. Use the callus removal file or pumice stone to buff away hardened areas on the soles of your feet.
5. Scrub each foot with a dollop of body/foot scrub, working your way up to mid-calve. Rinse
6. Use your cuticle tool to gently push back your cuticles.
7. Dry your feet with a towel, clip your toenails if necessary, and file away any sharp edges.
8. Use your toe separator or cotton balls, and apply your base coat, cutex and top coat.
9. Once your cutex has dried completely, rub your feet with a fresh smelling moisturizing lotion up to your calve. Add a drop of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oils to your plain lotions for a fresh feel and smell.
10. Now, about those old sandals… good looking feet like yours deserve a new pair of heels, right girls?

For those who prefer a professional pedicure:

Visit Zorgvliet Spa at the Riviera on Vaal Hotel & Country Club and let them pamper your feet, if you’re not up to doing it yourself…

• Mini pedicure: A quick pedi is sometimes all that is needed to get your footsies looking good during summer. This pedicure includes a foot soak, scrub, cuticle care, nail cutting and filing, foot balm and moisturiser, and the nail polish application of your choice.
• Deluxe pedicure: Opt for a pedicure with a bit more pampering if you want to treat your tired feet. This pedicure includes a foot soak, scrub, cuticle care, nail cutting and filing, filing of the soles of your feet, moisturiser application, a light foot massage, a foot mask and nail polish application of your choice.
• Advanced deluxe pedicure: Includes everything listed in the Deluxe Pedicure, but is a more intense treatment.
• Paraffin pedicure: This pedicure follows the same procedure as the Deluxe Pedicure, but the foot mask is replaced with a paraffin dip. This option is great for dry, cracked heels.
• French pedicure: Again this pedicure follows the same procedure as the Deluxe Pedicure, the only difference is the French style nail polish which is applied.
• Male pedicure: This is a basic foot grooming for the guys, which is basically the male version of the Deluxe Pedicure (excluding the nail polish application of course!)

And why not add a back, neck and shoulder massage for ultimate relaxation while you’re there… just a thought…