Step into Spring!

I hope by now you have all finished those much needed detox programmes and your waistline is beginning to feel more manageable.

Spring is now well on its way, it is beautiful to see the daffodils swaying in the breeze and the colourful array of crocus. The time has now come to put some thought into the fact that we have been hiding behind a mass of woolly jumpers, socks and boots over the winter months and it is nearly time to start the gradual exposure of bare skin! Help!

The feet are very often the first part of our bodies to take the plunge, we don the shoes and socks and we expose our toes. So how can we improve the look?

The pedicure is a relatively simple procedure to begin with. The first place to start is to ensure that all the old nail varnish is removed and the nails are clipped and filed to give a nice shape. Gently massage some cuticle removal cream into the cuticles and soak your aching feet in a nice bowl of warm bubbly water for a few minutes. A good time to do this is when you have time to sit and indulge with your favourite magazine and a nice refreshing cup of camomile tea.

Once you feel relaxed and your feet are glowing and soft, dry them off with a fluffy towel and start to work on your cuticles. This is a really important part of the pedicure. Using an orange stick, gently push the skin on the nails back towards the base of the nail. When this has been done, carefully use a pair of cuticle clippers to snip away any loose or hanging pieces of skin that are looking unsightly.

Your toes by now should be looking better. Spend a little time with a rasper or a pumice stone to rub away any hardened areas of skin that might have built up over the winter months, this should be easy to do when the skin has been softened in your foot soak.

Massage your feet and incorporate your lower legs with a nice aromatherapy cream to soften the skin and improve the circulation. This is all part of your pampering programme, so spend some time enjoying the moment, allowing your feet to feel refreshed and light.

Before you paint your toenails, it is important to wipe the nails over with a nail varnish remover. This will remove the greasiness of the cream as the varnish will not adhere if this greasiness is left.

Choose your colour, something bright and cheerful, or something soft and feminine is always nice. Remember to apply a base coat to protect the nails from absorbing the colour, then two coats of colour followed by a final top coat to harden and give a nice glossy finish.

Your feet are now ready to step into spring with a joyful bounce, so why not follow the same procedure on the hands, which have suffered the harsh elements of the cold winter months, for a pleasant feminine finish?

© Nicci Evans 2008

For more information on beautiful hands and feet or any other beauty issue, please contact:

Nicci Evans MAR BABTAC

Tel: 01202 482077 E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   www.niccievans.co.uk 

Nicci Evans qualified as a beauty therapist in 1981 at the London Institute of Beauty Culture, practising in a variety of salons prior to setting up and running her own business.  Since that time Nicci has studied widely, enabling her to introduce new therapies and offer a fully holistic service to her customers.  A qualified practitioner of  Reflexology, Reiki, Aromatherapy, Hopi Ear Candles and Life Coaching, Nicci is also qualified in Advanced Nutrition and holds a Higher International Diploma in Nutrition.  Nicci is a  member of the British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology and the Association of Reflexologists.