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Grooming your feet - a nice diversion from hobby shopping

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

We were sharing tips over in a recent post on how to divert from too much "hobby" shopping (shopping for things when we don't really need/want something in particular) and I thought I'd share a recent Find. Grooming for me is one way I keep myself from over shopping out of boredom. I can spend easily an hour or more a day on some form of grooming - playing with a hairstyle, filing my nails, moisturizing, playing with makeup, etc. I try to remind myself regularly that grooming is a huge part of overall style - much more so than that new top in a favorite color ;-).

I wear sandals for a big part of the year here in Texas and my heels tend to get dry from the exposure. I don't like getting pedicures so I do my own. I recently found this Diamancel foot buffer and couldn't believe I had waited so long to try one! You use it on dry feet (before the shower, not after) and for me, it didn't hurt a bit to nearly completely smooth my rough heels in just one quick session. I was so impressed I told DH I was going to order one for him too.

I also upgraded my toenail and fingernail clippers with a nice new sharp pair.

Have any of you tried something similar for grooming recently? Would you be willing to share?

Diamancel DIAMANCEL Foot Buffer (#11 Medium)

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chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I have one of those spinning buffers...I can't think of the name right now. It has a battery, and a cylindrical file that spins around. You use it on dry skin and it works great. It also has attachments for filing nails but I have never used those.

El Cee

Veteran

Foot buffers are fabulous tools. Just gave my husband a foot buffing set in his Christmas stocking, along with some special heel repair cream. This season I am personally into all-over body moisturizing and have been using coconut oil -- rubbing on a dab or two after getting out of the shower. I also use it on my feet. Yes... it does make me smell like a tropical drink, but I find that is kind of nice this time of year. Makes me feel like I am on a Caribbean vacation.

JAileen

Veteran

I put Aquaphor on my heels just before bed. It helps with the roughness.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

chewyspaghetti - I can see how the spinning ones could be good too. I just always hate replacing batteries so I go for the low tech.

El Cee- - yes, coconut oil is great! I was using it on my hair and body a lot and then switched to jojoba oil just because the scent of the coconut oil was a little strong. But I think coconut oil is very healthy and I may try mixing it with another essential oil as well just to play around a bit with the scent. Vanilla coconut maybe....

JAileen - I don't think I've ever heard of Aquaphor - I will look it up!

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

If you get cold pressed coconut oil it doesn't smell.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I should get one of those Dimancels. I got a pedicure while I was on vacation since we ended up going to a tropical location for part of the time. I usually give my toes a break from polish during the winter, since they're almost always covered up in socks, but it is a nice treat to have them pampered and do a fun polish color in the winter.

My skin is not happy lately -- a combination of stress and poor eating, I'm sure. I'm thinking of going for a facial and massage as a little treat. I do that maybe once every year or two.

Meredith

Veteran

I have a cheap version of your buffer that I don't love. Might need to try the Dimancel. Usually I turn to cooking more complex recipes when I'm looking to fill time, but recently I've been concocting beauty products. I had surprising success with a natural deodorant. Next up is lip balm.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

chewyspaghetti - thanks, I'll look for it, but I thought I did buy organic cold pressed - it just smells sort of "soapy"

Janet - I also recently started using a new vit. c serum on my face,neck and chest and I'm loving the results so far. My skin feels very soft once it dries too, which is nice. I've also given up wine and started weight training and clean eating again. Lots of fruit (esp. citrus) and little bread or pasta. Seems to all be helping the skin.

Meredith - speaking of concocting products yourself, I've started making my own dishwasher soap and I love it! You use equal parts Arm & Hammer Washing Soda and Borax, then half as much Citric Acid and Salt. It works REALLY well and leaves no perfume odor on my dishes.

TruSkin Naturals The BEST ORGANIC Vitamin C Serum - [BIG 2-OZ Bottle] - Hyaluronic Acid, 20% C + E Professional Topical Facial Skin Care to Repair Sun Damage, Fade Age Spots, Dark Circles, Wrinkles & Fine Lines -2 oz

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Joy

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Grooming this time of year as a diversion is an excellent idea. It also is time to get the body ready for warmer weather and more revealing clothing. I use a salt/oil scrub all over, but especially on feet to exfoliate and soften. Dry air also means tending to cuticles. I also like to buff my fingernails and could do toenails as well. It seems to stimulate circulation and, over time, strengthen the nails.

Meredith

Veteran

Thanks for the recommendation! I also try to avoid fragrance, so I look forward to trying your recipe!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Meredith - want to share your recipes for deodorant and lip balm?

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Great thread, Tex. I LOVE well groomed feet. I need a suggestion for a great foot file, if you have one. (But not one that looks like a grater, IYKWIM).

Meredith

Veteran

Sure! The lip balm is in process, but I'll let you know when I have a good result. The deodorant is:

3 tsp coconut oil
2 tsp shea butter
2 tsp arrowroot powder
2 tsp baking soda

Melt the oil/butter, stir in the dry ingredients. Thats it! I use a small spatula to remove from jar, rub it in, and wait 5-10 minutes before putting on my top. Deodorant seems to be such a personal thing, but this keeps me reasonably dry and definitely odor-free throughout the day and light exercise. I haven't put it to the test during a hard workout yet.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Great idea, and especially when you live in Texas where the exposure can be drying. I was just about to book a manicure myself. I don't get one often though I do pedicures in summer, but I was feeling it might be nice to treat my dry hands.

carter

Veteran

Great post! I see you've discovered TruSkin Vit C Serum as well. I love it too. I also use the Hyaluronic Acid at night. I've also found some sheet masks that meet my "no toxic chemicals" requirement. I'm using Andalou masks and really love them. If you know of other natural/organic sheet masks, I'd love to hear about them.

On the nail front, I finally had my acrylics taken off just before Thanksgiving. In my quest to eliminate chemicals, I knew that would be one of the last things to go. Fortunately, around that time, JJSloane posted about a Zoya sale. Zoya offers 5-free and 10-free (meaning free of toxic chemicals) polishes and a great non-toxic remover. I'm loving their products, and my nails have recovered from 20 years of acrylics much faster than I expected. The current special is get four free polishes if you pay a $15 S&H fee. Basically $3.75/bottle.
http://www.zoya.com/content/ca.....B_ZOYAFREE

TruSkin Naturals The BEST Hyaluronic Acid Serum for Skin & Face with Vitamin C, E, Organic Jojoba Oil, Natural Aloe and MSM - Deeply Hydrates & Plumps Skin to Fill-in Fine Lines & Wrinkles - (1oz)

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TruSkin Naturals TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum for Face, Organic Anti-Aging Topical Facial Serum with Hyaluronic Acid, 1 fl oz

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Andalou Naturals Andalou Naturals Instant Brighten & Tighten Hydro Serum Facial Mask, 0.6 Fluid Ounce

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El Cee

Veteran

Meredith -- I use a very similar recipe for homemade deodorant. The only additional ingredient I use is a drop or two of tea tree oil, which has antimicrobial properties. Homemade deodorant is so much healthier than the aluminum-laden products you find in the stores.

danskogirl

Angie: In addition to the Diamancel foot buffer recommended by texstyle, which I love for buffing rough skin, I also love the Diamancel foot file for calluses: http://www.sephora.com/diamond.....er_id=2557

I have had both for years -- maybe more than a decade -- and they still work like new.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Angie, the one I mentioned is here in my Finds. Seems very gentle to me, but I think they have a light version as well (mine is Medium).

Meredith - thank you for sharing, I'm going to try it!

Carter - maybe it was you who mentioned the TruSkin brand and that made me try it. So many good ideas here, sometimes I forget where I got them. Thanks for the idea of the mask.

Diamancel DIAMANCEL Foot Buffer (#11 Medium)

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Anonymous

Here is my secret. While I use something similar on my heels there are other part of my feet that this is too harsh to use or impossible to get at. So, I use Stridex pads (yes the acne pads) to rub on the bottom of my feet and my elbows, wait a bit, then rub lotion on my feet and put on socks.

Anonymous

I'm in a big self-care mode right now. I got inspired to do this over the holidays when I had lots of time to read different blogs and websites and magazines, and decided part of my overall "better skin" regimen would involve multistep skin care (a al K skin systems ) ...among many other things. I'm using sheet masks at least 3-4 times a week right now.

Directly to your point, texstyle, I am obsessed with feet and hands ,even during the winter, and use a dimancel file along with that battery-powered cylinder thing mentioned above - I can't remember what it's called. I can't remember anything , for that matter. Seeing dead and dry skin makes me crazy, and I file and buff and moisturize all the time. And you're right, it can be a really pleasant diversion - spending quiet time alone in the bathroom or bedroom using different skin care products and techniques and using the time to meditate or relax too.

And thanks for the reminder: I should book a pedicure for next week.

Anonymous

Lots of good ideas on this thread for a bit of self care. I must put aside a little time to do my feet too.

lpr200

Veteran

I love this thread! I make a body buffer I use daily in the shower after soap I and shaving and it really softens my skin: coconut oil, brown sugar, a little bit of salt, honey. Sometimes I add perfumes, oils, sometimes I don't. I keep all the ingredients under my bathroom sink and make as I need to. It can make your tub slippery and I suggest keeping it in a plastic tub (I dropped a glass jar once when I was in a rush). I do it as a last step and in the summer don't need to moisturize.

Isabel

Veteran

Great thread, thank you. LOL to the "grater" comment from Angie.

My mom and I just like straight up pumice stones or the glove exfoliates that one finds everywhere. For me, as long as I keep up with moisturizing my feet, I am ok. BUT, I also wear closed shoes 90% of the time. I love to smother my feet with aquaphor and put socks on.

I started using vitamin C about 4 or 5 years ago. I use Philosophy powder because it supposedly stays stable longer. I add to my tinted sunblock every day for my face. And to regular sunblock for my neck, chest and back of hands. I like it quite a bit and I think it has improved my skin.

I am a moisturizing fiend. LOL. About 20 years ago, I read an interview with Cindy Crawford and she talked about "layering" moisturizers. So I do that. In the winter, I start off with Be Merry treatment, let that sink in and then follow up with a little Oil of Olay or Argan Oil ( depending on how dry my skin feels ) , let that sink in, then I "seal" it with Clarins Baume Beaute. Sometimes, I only layer my cheeks and forehead which tend to be the driest. I do the same with my neck and chest. I skip the middle layer for the back of my hands.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OQQLNG4?psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Clarins.....ty&am

Style Fan

Veteran

I am booking a pedicure and manicure soon. Then in a few weeks I will be getting my hair cut and my eyebrows done. Yeah! My hair stylist is 3 hours away so it is 3 months between cuts. I am long overdue.

BrieN

Veteran

For self care I like to use the O'Keeffe's Healthy Feet Foot Cream from time to time especially during the winter. I'm lazy so I just stick my heel in the jar without using my hands. Every once in a while I'll use one of those foot files that look like a micro-plane and then follow up with the O'Keeffe's and a nice little spa moment with moisturizer and cuticle oil for my toes.

Right now I am a little obsessive about the Rosebud Salve from Sephora. It is the absolute last thing I do before I sleep. The container is on my bedside table -- I'm usually putting it on my lips and on the cuticles on my hands in the dark as DH is quick to turn off the lights.

Isabel

Veteran

I was just thinking that I NEVER do facials...yet so many women ( famous ones and "French" ones ) say that you should do it at least 4 times a year ; during the season changes.

Anyone do it or find it necessary/helpful ? I wouldn't know how to begin looking for a facialist.

Anonymous

OH! I just noticed this thread. What a GREAT idea.

I have this weirdness about cuticles. I spend more time grooming my cuticles than any other body part. I use all sorts of cuticle oils on them.

I am less picky about my feet. I do use one of those battery operated roller things. It works so great.

I have only recently started using Vitamin C and Retinol A. I have to admit that my skin looks worse than when I started (if anything I am noticing more brown spots). A part of me wonders if the hands off approach is best for my skin.

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

Sterling - I wonder if the Retinol is the problem? My skin doesn't seem to be as sensitive these days so I admit to being able to use some pretty strong stuff but I'm not sure Vit. C or Hyaluronic acid is really "strong" in that way.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Thanks for the suggestions, Tex and Danskogirl. I'll be writing a post on layering moisturizers because it's really helped my skin.

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