Get Your Feet Summer Ready

Sandals, flip flops, barefoot on the beach, summer is the perfect time to let your feet breathe and give your toes some air. But, after being cooped up behind socks and shoes for so long, there's a good chance your feet will need a summertime makeover before you go slipping them into a pair of open toed sandals.

Step 1: Get your feet healthy

Yes, it's gross. No, we don't like to talk about it. But keeping your feet pent up all winter long can provide a perfect breeding ground for foot fungus, athlete's foot and other ailments. Now is the time to diagnose and wipe out any unsightly foot issues before they really become a problem. Cracked and peeling skin around the toes, hard or yellowed toenails and excessive foot odor are three signs that something is wrong. Many foot ailments can be cured with over the counter remedies, but some require a prescription. If you suspect you may suffer from a foot fungus or other issue, bring it up to your doctor and he'll set you on the right path to treat it. Remember, healthy feet are pretty feet!

Step 2: Remove unsightly hair

This step applies to both men and women. Guys, a little hair on your feet can look normal, but if you're bordering on having feet like a Hobbit, you might want to consider removing excess hair. Women, you probably take care of the issue when you remove the hair on your legs. If you're a shaver, it might be worth it to look into using a home wax system like Sally Hansen's Spa Wax Hair Removal Kit just for your feet. With waxing, hair stays gone longer and sometimes grows back in lighter, and therefore you don't have to worry about it as much. The down side to waxing is you will have one to two days of redness just after waxing, so try to time it a couple of days before you plan to go completely barefoot.

Step 3: Schedule a full pedicure

By a full pedicure, I mean one that not only focuses on the toenails and nail beds, but the whole foot. You will need to rough off the old, dead winter skin with a pumice stone and have a good rub down with peppermint oil or moisturizer as well as get your nails shaped and painted. Allow yourself at least a half an hour (much of which will be spent soaking) to give your feet the attention they deserve. Having a pedicure done at a salon or spa can be a great way to kick back and relax while allowing yourself a bit of pampering. But, if a good pedicure at a salon is out of your price range, consider giving yourself a pedicure at home. You'll want to continue the pedicures throughout the summer months, quick pedicures to shape your nails once every one to two weeks or whenever you feel they need painting, and full pedicures at least once a month. Rub your feet down with a good moisturizing lotion daily.

Step 4: Choose comfortable and fashionable footwear

Now that you've got your feet looking picture perfect, you'll want to pick footwear that will show off your beautiful feet. Open toed sandals and flip flops will give your toes a chance to shine, and they come in a variety of styles and colors. Low heel, high heel, strappy, canvas, leather, there's a sandal or flip flop out there for every occasion. One caveat, however, make sure whatever footwear you choose this summer is comfortable and fits your feet well. Your toes should rest easily in an open toed shoe; squished toes tend to look like little sausages poking out. Even worse, how a sandal or flip flop is cut can cause your feet to blister, undoing all the hard work you've put into beautifying your feet. If you feel even the slightest discomfort in your shoes, either modify them with moleskin to prevent blisters or go with a different pair of shoes altogether.

Don't Forget: Use sunscreen on your feet daily

Another way to completely undo your summer foot makeover is with sunburns and sandal lines tanned into the tops of your feet. Your feet are vulnerable to the sun's harmful UV rays, especially when you're sitting or laying out in the sun. Make sure you use a high SPF sunscreen on your feet daily to prevent burning, because red sunburned feet make sandals and flip flops uncomfortable and especially once the burned skin starts peeling, unattractive.

Remember this summer to take care of your feet, and once you've followed these steps your feet will be looking their best and ready to hit the beach.