In tough economic times, we tend to scale back on our visits to the nail salon. Less manis and pedis means a few more coins in our pocket, but it's tough on our feet during these cold and dry winter months.
One of my favourite indulgences is a foot massage. Whether you've got a willing partner, or you're into self-service, a foot massage before bedtime is an instant relaxation technique and you'll wake up with softer (and better smelling feet).
For a few dollars, you can find some products that will soften your heals and make your toes tingle.
My all-time favourite (because it was my first and I'm sentimental like that) is the Body Shop's Peppermint Foot Lotion. One whiff takes me back to the Christmas vacation of first year university when I worked in The Body Shop as seasonal help. This three-week stint taught me everything I needed to know about the Body Shop's philosophy (great) and products (wonderful), as well as the fact that 90% of shoppers coming into the store on Christmas Eve were husbands looking for something ANYTHING for their wives.
Newer on my lists is Burt's Bees Peppermint Foot Lotion. All natural, and available in most health food stores, Burt's Bees products have long been a favourite for baby's skin. This foot lotion proves that Burt's a friend to mom, too. The fragrant peppermint oil promises to invigorate your skin and after giving my daughter a mini-foot massage I wanted to nibble on her toes!
Finally if you're looking for something with a little more umph, you can search for a Bath and Body Works store (we got our first in Canada last Fall….ahhhh heaven!) and look up Toe the Line Smooth Foot Scrub with Walnut Shell Powder. My mother-in-law brings me home a little tube every year from Florida and I ration it out for 12 months. It's a deoderizing exfoliator and it's just what the podiatrist ordered for our dry, dry winter feet.
So next time you've had a long day chasing kids, husbands, dogs and deadlines, put those dogs up and treat them to a little massage!
oh jen, my feet are awful! and it’s almost impossible to get to the salon for a pedicure lately. these are great tips. you’re so right about the body shop lotion reminding me of undergrad. i used to use that and their coconut shampoo when i was in residence at mcgill!
I’ve seen those husbands in the Body Shop… It’s pretty funny. They come in the store at 4:30 Christmas Eve with their kids in tow, look a little scared, lock in on ANYTHING in a gift box, grab it, and run!