manicure du jour + the shade i'm wearing on my toes

i love the combo of pastels and brights, so pairing nail polishes in this way is a no-brainer. the current combo i've been loving is Orly Lollipop with NARS Paradiso. 

Lollipop is a perfect pastel purple creme that was originally released in 2010, and is a great pick when i'm you're torn between wearing pink or purple. the formula dries relatively quick and is fabulously opaque, so 2 coats is all you need. 

Paradiso is on my toes for the time being. this bright strawberry-red creme is one of the 19 new {and not-so-new} polish shades that NARS recently reformulated and released as part of their permanent collection. just when i thought a nail polish couldn't get better...

tell me: what are you wearing on your tips and toes?

i bought the Orly polish; NARS polish sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me:)

celeb manicurist Skyy Hadley's simple pedicure tips for sandal-ready feet

bonjour, beauties…

 hope your week has been fabulous! i recently received a simple recipe and tips from Skyy Hadley {beauty expert, celebrity manicurist and owner of As “U” Wish Nail Spa in new jersey} for getting your feet pretty and sandal-ready as the weather warms up and knew you'd love the info, too.

these tips are simple and oh-so pampering, so i hope you'll take the time to give yourself a treat!

take a look...

Skyy Hadley

pedicure station at As U Wish salon

rehydrate and prevent your heels from cracking… 

to prep feet for the warmer months ahead, Skyy offers this milk bath recipe for adding moisture back into the heels and skin:

ingredients:
 1/2 cup hot water
1 cup of milk
a spoonful of sugar

mix together in a large bowl; soak feet for at least 10 minutes.

Skyy adds this tip: "working a foot scrub into your heels is a great way to remove dead skin. avoid using pumice stones since they trap bacteria and try using a diamond file instead." 

once feet are fully exfoliated, continue with your milk soak pedicure by rinsing and following with a non-greasy lotion {moisturizing products like shea butter, light oil, or vaseline can be used to moisturize the heels and help prevent cracking}. choose a fab color and paint your toes. if you have blisters, leave them for the professionals {you'll end up doing more harm than good if you try to pop them}.

ensure long-lasting color and shine…

Skyy says: "a clear top coat is your best friend. be sure to apply a top coat on the third day of your pedicure {or manicure}; never use a protein enriched and strengthener product together. using both will cause your polish to crack. try to only apply a nail protein to bare nails. apply a cuticle oil to the base of your toenails {or even when they are already polished}, focusing around the cuticle area to hydrate and bring moisture into the skin, helping the polish last longer."

how often to get a pedicure…

"you can never care for your feet too often," says Skyy, "but it isn’t necessary for weekly pedicures either. once every 2 weeks is sufficient during the warmer months."


many thanks to Skyy Hadley and her great tips ~ our feet will be ready for our favorite sandals in no time!

for more info about Skyy and As U Wish Salon, visit the salon website, asuwishnailssalon.com

pampering your feet between pedicures...

sure, we're heading into the fall season, but that's no excuse to let the appearance of your feet go. it's easy for me since the weather is still quite warm where i live; shoes that leave feet exposed are still being worn in heavy rotation. to keep my feet {heels especially} in tip-top shape between pedicures, i've been using some products that can be used year-round, and i think you'll love them, too...

The Best Pedi Prep Ever! is made by Julep, and you guessed it, is a prep for smoothing away pesky calluses and rough spots thanks to the exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids and soothing chamomile it contains. after rolling on and letting Prep sit on my feet for a couple of minutes, i run the foot file over rough areas, rinse, and my skin is left perfectly smooth, ready for those sandals.

at night, i've been pampering my feet using NightCare's Heel Treatment Kit. included in the kit are a pair of Moisturizing Gel Heel Socks, lined with what the brand calls Viso-Gel, and a tube of vitamin-enriched Intensive Healing Foot Cream. it's such a treat to apply this before bed. any dryness is eliminated overnight. the gel socks work well alone and the lotion can be used solo, too, but as a team they are truly at their best.

i've also been using Dermelect Cosmeceuticals Runway Ready Foot Treatment. this yummy-feeling formula is infused ingredients that sooth, soften and energize feet. argan oil {anti-oxidant rich with vitamins A & E}, moisturizing shea butter, hydrating hyaluronic acid and exfoliating AHAs and BHAs work together beautifully, and i've noticed a positive difference in my feet. i really enjoy the cooling sensation, perfect to pep up my feet before a run {and of course, give them a boost in moisture while i hit the road}.

how do you keep your feet looking fab between pedis?? let me know in the comments!

for more information, visit julep.com, nightcareproducts.com and dermelect.com

NightCare and Dermelect products sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)