Tips for Happy Feet All Summer Long

During the warmer months, our feet can become very dry and calloused. We often run around in sandals or in our yards barefoot, and as a result our feet need more tender loving care. Here are some tips to keep your feet happy this summer:

1) Wash your feet every night before you go to bed. This removes all of the dirt that the feet are exposed to through sandals and flip flops.

2) Periodically use a gentle exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin cells from your feet.

3) Use a rich lotion or cream on your feet day and night. Massage it into the skin until it is fully absorbed.

4) Use a high SPF sunscreen on your feet whenever you leave the house and reapply it just as you would reapply a sunscreen for your face. Your feet get constant exposure to the sun when you are outside, and they need protection.

5) Try not to go barefoot outside- use flip-flops or sandals instead. There is nothing that will callous your feet faster than walking around on concrete. If you are a gym-goer- then keep flip-flops in your locker to avoid picking up all sorts of germs and athletes foot.

6) Get a foot massage! Not only will it make your feet feel great and increase circulation, but it will also make all of you feel great because of all of the acupressure points that will be stimulated during your massage.

7) Get a pedicure! Go for a bright happy color that makes you smile when you look at your feet!

Winter Foot Care Tips

During the colder months, our feet can become very dry. They tend to be stowed away in boots, socks, and generally warm shoes that conceal chipped polish, dry feet, and the unsightly neglect that our poor tootsies suffer during this time of year. As the warmer months rapidly approach, and while you look at your feet in horror wondering how you will ever be able to wear those cute sandals- fret not. Here are some tips to get your feet summer-ready!

1) Soak your clean feet in warm water infused with a moisturizing bath gel. Rinse with warm running water.

2) Use a gentle exfoliating scrub to remove dead skin cells. I always pick a gentle scrub that I would use on my face.

3) Towel dry your clean feet so that they remain warm and damp, and immediately 

follow up by applying a nice rich lotion to your feet. If you do this at night, then add a bit extra lotion or cream. Massage it into the skin until it is fully absorbed. I usually put on a pair of warm socks and then go to bed.

4) The following morning be sure to moisturize your feet with a lighter lotion or cream, and massage it into your feet until it is fully absorbed.

5) That dry and flaky skin may actually be athletes foot, and when in doubt let your doctor or pharmacist make that determination. Exfoliating a fungus will just make it spread- so make sure that you know what you are dealing with and treat it accordingly.

6) Try not to go barefoot outside- use flip-flops or sandals instead. There is nothing that will callous your feet faster than walking around on concrete. If you are a gym-goer- then keep flip-flops in your locker to avoid picking up all sorts of germs and athletes foot.

7) Get a foot massage! Not only will it make your feet feel great and increase circulation, but it will also make all of you feel great because of all of the acupressure points that will be stimulated during your massage.

8) Get a pedicure! Go for a bright happy color that makes you smile when you look at your feet!

Pedestrian Project Cracked Heel Repair with Mango Butter and Plant Oils

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Pedestrian Project Cracked Heel Repair, with Mango Butter and Plant Oils, is wonderful for anyone who has dry, cracked heels. This healing gem is very emollient and moisturizing and it has a very rich and buttery texture. Simply massage it into dry skin twice a day– it is also great on dry elbows, hands and cuticles– and marvel as it melts into the skin and gets right to work. Cracks and dry patches quickly give way to soft and moisturized skin. Filled with plant oils, waxes and shea butter, this nourishing skin hero has a wonderful light herbal aroma that is pleasant, but it is neither imposing, nor long-lasting.

According to Pedestrian Project,

The antidote for dry, cracked heels, our plant-powered, nutrient-rich butter repairs even the most severely compromised heels. It melts into the skin to fill cracks, smooth away roughness, restore moisture and create an invisible layer of protection. 

MADE WITH: African Shea Butter, Mango Butter, Black Currant Oil.

MADE WITHOUT: Parabens, Phthalates, PEG, Dyes, GMO, Silicones, Petrolatum and Synthetic Fragrances. 100% Vegan. Cruelty-Free.

Directions: Apply generously to heels, ankles and other rough, dry spots twice a day.

Ingredients: Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Squalane, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Tocopherol, Juniperus Mexicana Oil, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Butter, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Oil, Natural Fragrance.

Overall Assessment: This is a game changer for rough, cracked and dry skin. This will get rough feet sandal-ready just in time for summertime! A+

$14.00 for 1 oz. from Pedestrian Project and their Amazon Store (Affiliate Links). Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own. 

Copyright © 2023 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.coom All Rights Reserved.

Six Easy At-Home Steps to Pamper Your Hands and Feet This Winter

If your hands and feet are dry and chapped this winter, and in need some TLC, then here are my super-easy, and ultra-relaxing at-home tips to restore their moisture. You really don't have to go out and buy any fancy and expensive products, instead use what you love and already have on hand.

Six Easy Steps:

Step 1: Wash your hands and feet with warm soapy water in a basin.

Step 2: While your hands and feet are soaking in the basin, gently exfoliate dead skin cells with your favorite body scrub. Tip: Exfoliate gently because the water softens up your skin, and therefore you don't need to use any force.

Step 3: Thoroughly rinse hands and feet and empty the basin.

Step 4: Rinse out the basin and refill it with warm water and add a small amount of bath or body oil to moisturize your freshly exfoliated skin. Let your hands and feet soak for about 10-15 minutes, then rinse.

Step 5: Massage additional body oil into your slightly damp hands and feet, and let it sink in thoroughly.

Step 6: Massage a rich cream or body butter into your hands and feet, and then put on fluffy cotton socks, and cotton gloves (if you want to further pamper your hands).

Overall Assessment: Follow these 6 easy steps to pamper and moisturize your dry hands and feet this winter, and you will see quite a difference. I try to do this at least once a week, and in addition to deeply moisturizing the skin, it is also very relaxing and pampering.

All views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright © 2020 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Guest Bathroom Holiday Picks for the Hair, Face and Body

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Now that the holiday season is upon us, many will not only be hosting the holidays at their homes, but also hosting lots of overnight guests. If you find yourself having both expected, and the occasional unexpected, overnight guests it is always a good idea to have a nicely stocked bathroom or guest bathroom to make your guests feel at home. Furthermore, many of your guests will likely be traveling by plane and may be packing light with respect to personal toiletries– therefore, the more prepared that you are for them, the more comfortable and pampered that they will be.

In addition to extra toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss, I like to have a variety of haircare, body care and skincare products from which my guests can choose. Since stocking your bathroom for your company can be expensive, I find that it is a good idea to purchase things that we will also actually use once everyone returns home.

Haircare products from shampoos and conditioners to a variety of styling products are always good to have on hand. ABBA is a haircare brand that I love, and have been using for years, and they have lovely gentle formulas that neither strip the hair, nor leave it frizzy and dry. I almost always have on or two of their shampoos and conditioners in my shower at any given time, and their Color Protection range is one of my favorites. (Note: I have the old packaging, but it has been updated)

About ABBA,

For over 25 years ABBA® Pure Performance Hair Care has been a leader in product formulation. We were the first brand to make 100% Vegan hair care products and our Gluten-Free ProQuinoa Complex™ delivers performance, protein and purity like no other professional salon brand on the market.

(ABBA Hair Care can be found at Ulta, Walmart and ABBA)

The Grandpa Soap Company is a new-to-me brand that was an immediate hit in my house. They have several different shampoos and conditioners, and the two that I have used are the Buttermilk and Witch Hazel collections. The former is nourishing, and perfect for dry and damaged hair, while the latter is clarifying and perfect to remove excessive styling product buildup during the holidays.

According to The Grandpa Soap Company,

A new tradition in haircare begins today with thoughtfully crafted shampoo and conditioner duos for all hair types. Cruelty-free formulas, natural ingredients, and recyclable components are at the heart of our soap making tradition.

(Available from The Grandpa Soap Company and Jet.com)

The Grandpa Soap Company's soaps, which are formulated for the face and body come in Oatmeal, Epsom Salt, Witch Hazel, Charcoal, Buttermilk, Cornmeal and Rose Clay formulas. They are natural, and they effectively cleanse the skin and neither dry it out, nor leave it tight and uncomfortable.

According to The Grandpa Soap Company,

Hardworking, simple and pure ingredients are the heart of our natural soap making tradition from our time honored heritage problem solvers to our dual-ingredient face and body soaps. You can find a whole line of soaps that have been thoughtfully crafted with the same attention to detail and respect for ingredients as Jess Hoffman in 1878.

Macadamia Professional Haircare makes wonderful haircare that effectively cares for and treats hair in need of moisture. I have several of their styling products that are perfect for my dry curly hair. Their Nourishing Moisture Masque is such a treat because it deeply moisturizes even the driest hair and leaves it soft, smooth, frizz-free and manageable. All of their products that I have tried enhance my curls, and leave my hair soft, smooth and hydrated.

According to Macadamia Professional,

At Macadamia Professional, we strive to create innovative hair products that address the diverse needs for women of all global hair textures. Macadamia Professional offers salon-quality hair care, treatment and styling products that address the unique moisture level and styling needs of every woman.

Three Care and Treatment Collections infuse the optimal moisture level into each hair texture, along with the benefits of our Pro Oil Complex, a unique blend of Macadamia and Argan Oils. A range of Macadamia Oil infused stylers offer varying levels of style control for hair of all global textures with the healing benefits of our Pro Oil Complex. This hair oil can be used for all textures, from baby fine to ultra-curly and coiled. It has a unique moisture level and style control need.

(Available from Macadamia Professional, Ulta, Amazon and Walmart)

Nubian Heritage products are healthy, affordable and such a great pleasure to use. I love their bath and body products and use them all of the time. My current favorite scent is their Honey & Black Seed collection because it has a rich, warm creamy aroma that is perfect for the colder weather and the holidays. Their body wash and soap both lather nicely, but never strip the skin or leave it dry and uncomfortable. Their lotions are rich and creamy, and yet fast-absorbing and very moisturizing.

(Available from The Vitamin Shoppe, Nubian Heritage, Walmart, iHerb, Swanson Vitamins and Target)

Reviva Labs Collagen Fiber Eye Pads with Myoxinol Kit is something that you and your guests are likely to really appreciate during the holidays since they do a wonderful job smoothing lines, reducing puffiness and lightening dark circles. Given all of the excesses during the holidays, these eye pads are the perfect, and ultra-refreshing, antidote to holiday indulgences.

According to Reviva Labs,

Relaxes under eye tissue to smooth wrinkles and bags—but, unlike Botox, also hydrates and helps lighten dark circles – with immediate results. Includes four sets of two eye pads & 2 oz. bottle of mineral-rich skin energizing gel.

(Available from Reviva Labs,  Beauty Encounter, Jet.com, iHerb and Walmart)

7th Heaven Masks are fun and affordable, cruelty-free and effective. They draw out impurities and leave skin soft and smooth. They apply as a gel but when they dry they transform into a rubbery mask that you peel off in sheets. They are so fun to use, and even more fun to do with friends. At a mere $1.99 per mask, you can get enough for you and your overnight guests.

(Available from 7th Heaven and Ulta)

Mustela is a wonderful skincare brand for babies and mothers, but you neither have to be a baby, nor the mother of a baby to love their nourishing products. That said, if you are going to have family and friends with babies staying overnight, then Mustela products will be most appreciated by them. Their bubble bath, cleansing milk, bath oil, moisturizers and wipes are very gentle on even the most sensitive skin, and they leave it soft, smooth hydrated and pampered. Many of their products have light pleasant aromas, but others are fragrance-free.

According to Mustela,

We've provided skincare expertise for babies and mothers since 1950. Today, we offer a complete range of specially formulated skincare to best address the changes in the delicate skin of newborns, babies, children, and women who are mothers-to-be or new mothers.

(Available from Mustela, Nordstrom, buybuybaby, Target, Walgreens, Amazon, Dermstore, Bed, Bath & Beyond, CVS and Walmart)

The holidays often include long hours on one's feet, and in heels, and therefore it is imperative to give your tootsies a little extra pampering. Dr. Suzanne Levine, who is a New York City podiatrist, created a wonderful line of products to pamper your feet.  Dr. Levine's wonderful Foot and Hand Cream and highly effective Glycolic 10% Pads work in tandem to exfoliate dead skin cells and then offer rich moisture– the end result is baby's bottom soft feet that are smooth and moisturized. However, if you are spending a lot of time in heels over the holidays, she also has her fantastic Stiletto RX, which is a purse-size pain-relief spray, and her Pillows for Your Feet– which are wonderful soft-gel inserts that transform uncomfortable shoes into wearable ones. Furthermore, the soft-gel inserts were also conceived to alleviate back, knee, hip pain and to help reduce muscle cramping.

(Available from Dr. Susan Levine and Amazon)

Above: Dr. Suzanne Levine's Foot Facial Glycolic 10% Foot Pads.

Below: Dr. Suzanne Levine's Pillows for Your Feet

Overall Assessment: These are a few of the products that I plan to stock in my guest bathroom for family and friends this holiday season, but I will unquestionably add more things to the guest bathroom for their enjoyment and pampering as the holiday season progresses. What do you keep on hand for your holiday guests?

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Copyright © 2018 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

Farmhouse Fresh Pedi Delight Instant Pedicure Sampler for Mother's Day

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If you are seeking pampering Mother's Day Gifts, might I suggest the wonderful Farmhouse Fresh Pedi Delight Instant Pedicure Sampler for mom this year. You could either give it to her as part of an at-home spa day kit, or you could actually indulge in pedicures together before bunch!

Directions:

To get started, begin by exfoliating feet with the delectably scented Honey Lavender Salt Scrub. It is made from very fine grain sea salts that effortlessly sweep away rough dead skin.

Thoroughly rinse away the Honey Lavender Scrub, and then rub a small amount of the luscious smelling Honey Heel Glaze into your feet. Made from honey and aloe leaf juice serum, this glaze deeply hydrates the skin.

Apply the Honey-Chai Steeped Milk Lotion to your feet– after you take a nice deep sniff of this intoxicating lotion that smells good enough to eat (though I do not recommend trying it). Farmhouse Fresh describes it as, "infused with sultry organic cardamom and coconut milk to leave feet ready to take on whatever comes your way!" 

Features:

• Honey-Lavender Scrub: Rice Bran Oil and Natural Sea Salt.
• Honey Heel Glaze: Honey: a natural humectant, Rice Bran Oil, Vitamins E, C, B5, B6, Live Papaya & Pineapple Cells, Aloe Vera.
• Honey-Chai Lotion: Sunflower, Safflower and Coconut Oils, Sodium Hyaluronate, Tremella Mushroom Extract, Panthenol.

According to Farmhouse Fresh,

Indulge in this honey-packed delight for silky smooth feet! Includes our best-selling Honey Heel Glaze (Oprah's O-List foot serum made with sweet Texas honey), lightweight Honey Lavender Sea Salt Scrub, and Honey-Chai Steeped Milk Lotion (a gorgeous, spiced-milk infusion of organic coconut milk and sultry cardamom). With this sweet sampler, your feet will feel soft for days!

Benefits:

• Natural Sea Salt in Honey-Lavender Scrub removes dead skin, providing better penetration of other products.
• Honey Heel Glaze contains honey, which is a natural humectant that hydrates skin while sealing in natural moisture.
• Honey-Chai Lotion has sunflower & safflower oils, which are high in linoleic acid, proven to quickly reverse skin deficiencies like dryness, scaliness, redness and more.

Honey-Lavender Scrub Ingredients: Sodium Chloride, Water/Eau, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Parfum*, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Sea Salt, Oryza Sativa (Rice Bran Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Polysorbate 20, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Citric Acid. *All Farmhouse Fresh fragrances are phthalate-free.

Honey Heel Glaze Ingredients: Water/Eau, Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Polyquaternium-37, Honey/Miel, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Oil, Panthenol, Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract, Ananas Sativus (Pineapple) Fruit Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Parfum*, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Potassium Sorbate, Lactic Acid, Caramel. *All Farmhouse Fresh fragrances are phthalate-free.

Honey-Chai Lotion Ingredients: Water/Eau, Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Elettaria Cardamomum Seed Powder, Glyceryl Stearate, Parfum*, Sodium Hyaluronate, Honey/Miel, Panthenol, Tremella Fuciformis Sporacarp Extract, Verbena Officinalis Extract, Ceratonia Silique (Carob) Fruit Extract, Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin. *All Farmhouse Fresh fragrances are phthalate-free.

Please be aware that ingredient lists may change or vary from time to time. Please refer to the ingredient list on the product package you receive for the most up to date list of ingredients.

Overall Assessment: This is the perfect, and affordable, treat for Mother's Day.

$19.00 from Farmhouse Fresh (Unaffiliated Links).
Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own.
Copyright © 2018 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.

PediSpa Gentle Exfoliating and Intensive Moisturizing Foot Masks for Sandal-Ready Feet | Review

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Now that June is here, and warm, protective shoes give way to sandals– it's time for smooth, baby soft feet to accompany that super-cute summer pedicure.  If you are looking to get your feet sandal-ready in a couple of easy steps, then say hello to PediSpa by Look Beauty Foot Masks. These Target exclusives are innovative foot masks that first focus on exfoliating and smoothing your feet using their Gentle Exfoliating Foot Mask, and then drenching those baby soft feet with a serious dose of hydration and moisture with their Intensive Moisturizing Foot Mask. You get salon quality results at home for about $20.00.

PediSpa Exfoliating Foot Mask ($9.99 for 1 pair from Target): is a gentle foot exfoliant in the form of two treatment-filled booties that are worn like socks for the duration of the treatment cycle. This foot mask eliminates calluses and visibly removes dead skin cells within two weeks of use.

Within a few days of use, skin begins to peel away revealing soft and supple skin. This is a more gentle formula than some exfoliating foot masks, but you can amplify the results by soaking your clean feet in warm water for a few minutes to soften up the skin before applying the foot mask to your feet. Furthermore, using the PediSpa Intensive Moisturizing Foot Mask less than a week after the PediSpa Exfoliating Foot Mask helps to accelerate the peel by delivering serious hydration to your feet.

PediSpa Gentle Exfoliating Foot Masks shown above. Key ingredients like chamomile and natural botanical fruit extracts help control callus build-up for visibly smooth feet within two weeks.

Contains Chamomile & Natural Botanical Fruit Extracts

PediSpa Intensive Moisturizing Foot Mask ($9.99 for two pairs from Target): is an ultra-hydrating foot mask that noticeably softens and moisturizes parched feet, and aids in the repair of cracked and calloused skin. Used in conjunction with the PediSpa Exfoliating Foot Mask, this mighty duo makes feet pedicure and sandal-ready in no-time.

According to PediSpa,

PediSpa Intensive Moisturizing foot mask noticeably smoothes, softens and repairs dry creaked, calloused feet and heels. With ingredients like shea butter, apple extract and peppermint, these wearable socks significantly improve the look and feel of even the driest feet. 

PediSpa Intensive Moisturizing Foot Masks shown above.

Overall Assessment: The perfect pair for soft, sandal-ready feet!

Press Sample. All views expressed are categorically my own (Affiliate Links).
Copyright © 2016 www.lolassecretbeautyblog.com All Rights Reserved.