Beauty: Heel to Toe

Strappy Sandal Summer time is near!

Lush Volcano Foot Mask: A power-packed list of ingredients including cinnamon leaf-oil, clay, potatoes, tomatoes and papaya make an all-natural treat for your tired feet. After just ten minutes your feet will feel softer, smell sweeter and seem cooler, all without the spa-sized price tag. For feet which emit toxic gases! This thick effective mask has clays to draw out deep-down-dirt, fresh papaya and lemon for cleansing, deodorizing tomatoes, astringent herbal decoctions and anti-fungal essential oils. $20.95, www.lushusa.com

Ms Manicure- The Smooth Groovy : 2-in-1 Foot Brush & Pumice bristles deliver the best clean in town, while the pumice sloughs away dry skin and calluses to uncover softer skin. Plus, an easy-to-hold handle gives you a sure grip. $2.99, walgreens.com

Burt’s Bees Coconut Foot Creme: natural foot cream combines coconut oil, lanolin and vegetable glycerin to revive and rejuvenate even the driest, most neglected feet. There’s also a hint of natural rosemary and peppermint oils to refresh tired soles. $9, burtsbees.com

Olay Body Thermal Pedicure : Self-heating, exfoliating scrub for soft, smooth, and soothed feet 16.99, amazon.com (This product is currently being discontinued but you can still buy it online at Amazon! This is my all time favorite foot scrub!)

An inadequate diet is the most common cause of brittle chipped nails. Adding more protein and calcium to your diet will help to strengthen undernourished nails and Nail beds.

Biotin/Vitamin H

Biotin (a.k.a. vitamin H) can improve weakened nails. Foods to Try: Bananas, beans, cauliflower, eggs, lentils, peanuts and salmon.

Protein

Protein intake is important for many reasons, notably when it comes to nails. Nails are made of structural proteins known as keratin, so adequate dietary protein is important.Lean meats are the easiest way to pack protein into your diet. Foods to Try: Chicken, eggs, lean red meats, lowfat dairy, nuts, seafood, soybeans and whole grains

Zinc

Zinc is another nutrient active in helping the immune system function properly, and DiBona also notes that it plays an important role in the formation of your connective tissues. Zinc is a component of hundreds of enzymes in the body, some of which regulate the body’s ability to make new proteins that will become building blocks of healthy nails. Foods to Try: Cashews, green beans, lean beef, lobster, oysters and soybeans.

Tippy Toe Tips

• Cut toenails straight across. Never cut into the corner this could cause an ingrown toenail. Gently file away sharp corners or rough edges with an emery board.
• Alternate your shoes each day. Since the feet have sweat glands, your shoes will absorb moisture from your feet, so it is important to allow your shoes to dry out completely.
• Where 100% Cotton Sox’s,They’re best for absorbing dampness, thus preventing fungal infections.
• Make your nails as strong as a horse’s hooves, and take 300 micrograms of the B vitamin biotin four to six times a day. Long ago, veterinarians discovered that biotin strengthened horses’ hooves, which are made from keratin, the same substance in human nails. Swiss researchers found that people who took 2.5 milligrams of biotin a day for 5.5 months had firmer, harder nails. In a U.S. study, 63 percent of people taking biotin for brittle nails experienced an improvement.
• Add a glass of milk and a hard-boiled egg to your daily diet. Rich in zinc, they’ll do wonders for your nails, especially if your nails are spotted with white, a sign of low zinc intake.
• Massage your nails to keep them extra strong and shiny. Nails buffing increases blood supply to the nail, which stimulates the matrix of the nail to grow, says Galvez.
• Polish your nails, even if it’s just with a clear coat. It protects your nails. If you prefer color, use a base coat, two thin coats of color, and a top coat. Color should last at least seven days but should be removed after 10 days.
• Avoid polish removers with acetone or formaldehyde. They’re terribly drying to nails. Use acetate-based removers instead.

haut,” means “nails” in German