Have a Pretty Foot

It may not be quite warm enough for sandals, or even open toed shoes - but it soon will be (we hope!) Start getting your feet ready now, so that you've got pretty feet from Day One.

You don't need to have painted toe nails to have pretty feet - but dry cracked skin around your heels or uneven nails should not be put on show!

You can make your feet look much better by following a few simple steps.

You will need:

• A bowl, in which you can soak your feet. You could sit on the edge of the bath, but I prefer to carry a comfortable chair into the kitchen, and soak my feet in a bowl of nice warm water.
  
• A clean, dry towel
  
• Foot file, or pumice stone, or exfoliating cream
  
• Body lotion, or a foot moisturister
  
• Cuticle oil, or for economy, baby oil
  
• Orange wood stick
  
• Nail clippers
  
• Nail file
  
• You may need nail polish remover and cotton pads.
  
• If you want to apply nail polish, ideally start with a base coat, then colour polish, and top
  coat.
  
• If you are applying nail polish, it is helpful to have something to separate your nails. A twisted tissue will suffice, but you may prefer toe separators.

Make sure you've got everything to hand before you start - include a magazine or book to read while your feet are soaking.

This is what you do:

1. If you have got old nail polish on your toes, remove it before you start.
   
2. Now, put some warm water in the bowl. You might like to add something to soothe your skin, but it's not essential. Soaking your feet softens the tough skin on the soles.
   
3. After about 10 minutes, either file off the hard skin, or use an exfoliating cream. Then, dry your feet, making sure they are thoroughly dry between your toes, and then apply regular body lotion or a foot moisturiser.
   
4. Apply the cuticle oil, or baby oil, and leave to soak in for about 2 minutes, then use the orange wood stick to gently push back your cuticles.
   
5. Use the nail clippers to trim the nails. Clip them short, but do not cut the sides, or you risk ingrowing toenails. Then file them smooth.
   
6. If you are going to apply polish, wipe the nails with a cotton pad soaked with nail polish remover. If there is oil or moisturiser left on your nails the polish will not adhere well.
   
7. Before starting to paint your nails, separate your toes.
   
8. Apply base coat, 2 layers of polish, and then top coat. Allow plenty of time for them to dry! (You may wish to have a book or magazine to read between coats.)