MUMBAI: We have been culturally obsessed with looking beautiful and our B-Town stars absolutely love salon trips and look forward to them. Monsoon has just started and while the rains will cool down the humidity and provide a relief from the exhaustive weather, it will also bring its share of dirty flooded roads and skin infections.
And what comes as a beauty care must, both for men and women is a pedicure regime. Bollywood actors have emphasized at various occasions. Macho man John Abraham’s drool-worthy physique may have you sweating in the cool weather but the actor not only focuses on a healthy body but also the minute hygiene rituals. John believes in getting a pedicure and a manicure done. He emphasizes how most men regard it as effeminate and are embarrassed but irrespective of whether one is a man or woman, it is generally important to have a high hygiene factor.
Kick beauty Jacqueline Fernandez who has endorsed foot care and hygiene brand loves getting a pedicure on the go. Sharad Kulkarni, in-house ayurvedic doctor at Kama Ayurveda, and Shikhee Agrawal, head trainer at The Body Shop India, have listed the regime:
* Go for consistent pedicures as it helps get rid of dead and hard heel skin. Use a foot file, or a pumice stone to gently rub away the hard skin and apply quick moisturiser to soften the skin.
* Nourish the cuticles. Rub off dead skin growth from the corner of the nails and paint them up using an almond or coconut oil for proper nourishment and moisturised feet.
* Keep nail lacquers at bay. Let your nails breathe from time to time. This can help fade discoloration,
with just the white one.
* Add an essential oil of your choice to your foot soak, to make the process a bit more relaxing.
* If you need to further exfoliate, use scrubs with kernels of apricot, almond, walnut or pine nut, as these make excellent natural polishers without being too harsh on the skin.
* Use a rose oil as it is hydrating, antimicrobial, and good for muscle pulls and cramps. It is also relaxing, and helps dissipate anxiety. Lavender is another great option, if you are looking to go to bed straight after the regime.
* Push back cuticles with the right tool and cut and clean your nails at this stage.
* Finally, wipe your hands and feet with a soft towel, and use a richly hydrating cream. Any good one designed for hand and foot care, would have natural butters like almond, cocoa, shea, mango, and kokum (mangosteen).
What do you think of John Abraham and Jacqueline Fernandez?
* Put socks on your feet, so that the warmth and moisture of the cream remain locked in. A useful tip if you are going to bed straight after, so all the creamy hydration soaks into your skin through the night.
* Apply sunscreen to your feet. Do not just halt to ankle, go on to put sunscreen on your feet as well. These not only protect your feet but also protect protein made nails that are more defenceless to sun damage.
