Keep Those Feet Looking Fabulous

Warm weather is here. And for us women, it brings along with it the extra pressure to look our best from head to toe. Although they may not be at eye level, your toes are not the last thing people will see. In fact, those little piggies might be the focus of another's attention. It is definitely time to pull out the flip flops, cute sandals and open-toed heels.

But with gas prices steadily increasing, some of us have been forced to cut back on our consumption of cosmetic commodities. Even if you can't afford a French or American pedicure or something as simple as a cool polish job, there is still hope for your feet. With a little time and special attention you can keep your feet sandal ready without shelling out a lot of cash.

Bye, Bye Dry Skin

Consider the harsh conditions your feet are subjected to. They are usually smothered by thick cotton socks or stuffed into tight high heels almost daily. And that's not the worst of it, they have to support your body weight. It's no wonder your heels are dry and cracking.

Try some of Dr. Scholl's foot soaks and scrubs to slough away the dead skin. To maintain the softness for weeks at a time, moisturize your feet every night-a special lotion of something as simple as Vaseline will do the trick. After applying a generous amount of your favorite, slip on some socks to help lock in the moisture.

Keep Your Shoes On

Another summer temptation-kicking off the shoes. But that might not be such a good idea. Walking around barefoot exposes your feet to dirt and potentially harmful bacteria and germs. The smallest lesion on the feet can become infected and cause discoloration. Definitely not attractive.

The Key to Great Toenails

The key to having great looking toenails is (believe it or not) toenail health. No one wants to wear sandals and show off yellowed toenails. One way to keep them looking clean and healthy is by using lightly colored nail polishes. Darker hues contain heavy dyes that can stain the toenails and cause them to be yellowed even after the polish is removed. If you must wear dark polish, apply a base coat or two before applying the top coat. Remove polish regularly (at least every other week) and wash the nails with soap and water before reapplying the polish. Long toenails are also a hazard because they can bump the inside of shoes and become bruised and discolored or even infected. Keep your toenails trimmed close to the toe. Toenails that are consistently discolored could reveal a fungal infection. Consult with your physician to find treatment options.