Tag Archive for: mani pedi aurora

At Home Pedicure

pedicure

Since we are presently unable to make any personal appointments at our local salons due to COVID-19, it looks like we may have to take matters into our own hands. As many of us are likely shaving, tweezing and filing ourselves until we can rejoice in the reopening of our favourite place, it has also come time to break our feet out of hibernation as the weather becomes warmer. An at home pedicure is not too difficult,  provided you have the tools and the time. And right now,  we all have the time! Let’s gather what we need and head to the bathroom.

Tools to Have:

  • Towel
  • Basin (or tub)
  • Epsom salts
  • Polish remover and cotton pads
  • Foot paddle
  • Foot cream or lotion
  • Nail clipper, file and buffer
  • Cuticle pusher ( or orangewood stick)
  • Tissue
  • Polish ( your colour choice, base and top coat)
  • Alcohol

Prep:

To start our pedicure, we first need to remove the old polish. Acetone based polish remover is preferred as it will remove the polish quickly and completely.  Other polish removers are fine as well, just might take an extra few minutes to remove the polish. Pour some on your cotton pad or ball and get to work! Fill your basin or tub with warm water and add the Epsom salts to soften and deodorize the feet. If using a basin, a tablespoon is enough. If using your tub, 1/2 a cup of salts is plenty. Soak for about 5 minutes to allow calloused, rough skin to soften.

Heels:

After soaking, exfoliate your rough patches using your foot paddle. Buff the heels, balls of your feet, and and any other part of your foot that needs exfoliating. Once smooth, apply foot cream or lotion to the areas to keep them soft and hydrated.

Toes:

Using your nail clippers, cut your toenails straight across and soften the edges with your nail file. Cutting your toenails straight across (and not too short!) will avoid the development of an ingrown toenail. Take your cuticle pusher or orangewood stick and very gently push back your cuticles. Use your little white buffer and smooth out the top of the nail and then apply a dab of cuticle oil and rub into the cuticles.

Polish:

Deodorized, softened, creamed and filed, you’re ready for polish! Take a cotton pad with some polish remover and wipe your nails clear of any remaining  cuticle oil. Next, take 2 tissues and roll and weave each tissue between your toes on each foot. Apply a base coat to each nail, 2 coats of colour and finish with a top coat to seal it all in. Be sure to apply each coat of polish on the thinner side to ensure even appearance and quicker drying time. If you happen to “colour outside the lines”, take your orangewood stick, wrap a tiny piece of cotton around the tip and dip it into the remover.  Carefully remove any polish left in your skin and voila, pedicure completed!

Wash Your Tools

Lastly, wash your tools in soap and water and soak them for 10 minutes in alcohol, preferably 70%. You’ll want to keep them in good condition for next time.

All pedicured up with no place to go? Don’t fret, we will be seeing each other soon for the real pampered deal. These instructions can also be a great help tidying your feet in between professional pedicures as well. Now get out those flip flops!

Let’s Connect

We welcome your questions and feedback. You can connect with us via email or telephone. And as always, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest trends and special offers!

Til next time,

A Perfect Pinky Team

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The Meaning of Your Feet

Do the shape and size of your feet mean something? Does the length of your toes suggest a certain personality trait? Insight into our personality is always intriguing. Reading our horoscopes, getting our palms read or even having our handwriting analyzed to detect why we are the way we are piques your interest. Foot types are also on the “analyze me” bandwagon. Let’s check some common, and maybe not so common, foot shapes to see if we love to eat, hate to travel, Etc.

Roman Toe

Loving new exciting places, and being super outgoing are said to be connected to this toe type. The Roman toe shape is when the first three toes are the same height with the latter two shorter (in descending order). So, book your plane ticket and get out on your next cultural adventure!

Egyptian Toe

People who sport the Egyptian toe shape are said to descend from royalty and enjoy being pampered! This foot type is fairly common and is characterized by a long big toe followed by the rest in descending order, usually slenderer as well. Generally friendly people, they have an eye for fashion and are often trend-setters.

Peasant Toe

Thoughtful and patient, people with peasant toe are those to be friends with. Their patience helps to resolve conflicts and are honest by nature. These feet appear square-shaped, since all the toes are generally the same length.

Greek Toe

If you look at your feet and notice that your second toe is the longest, then you sport the Greek foot! People with this toe type are said to be smart, super sporty and very creative. And although they have tremendous leadership qualities, they tend to be stressed out and impulsive.

Moving Little Toe

Independently moving your little toe from the others says a lot about you since it’s such an unusual toe type. You are highly active and crave adventure, highly driven in life and always searching for new experiences. This is definitely the mark of an inquisitive dreamer!

Ultimately, your feet are highly individual and unique to you. Your feet aren’t even really identical! Whether you have Roman or peasant foot, are curious or shy, just remember that the main thing about our feet is to take good care of them by getting monthly pedicures and by getting them checked by your doctor if any changes occur in how they feel or look. They’re the only pair you got!

Let’s Connect

We welcome your questions and feedback. You can connect with us via email or telephone. And as always, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest trends and special offers!

Till next time,

Phyllis

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5 Common Summer Skin Problems and How to Prevent Them

Skin irritations are a bummer anytime, but especially in the warm summer months. When mysterious lumps, bumps, or weird rashes appear when you’re already hot and bothered, that’s definitely no fun! Most itching in summer is obvious, usually from a bug bite or some kind of a rash created from an allergic reaction. There are several ways to help heal and prevent these ailments from ruining your fun in the sun. Here’s a look at how to prevent and treat some of these summer skin irritations.

1. Sunburn

With what we know about the sun and its powerful rays, this shouldn’t even happen, but it does. Sunscreen of at least 30 should always be applied at least 20 to 30 minutes before heading outside and should be reapplied while in the outdoors. However, if you do find your skin turning pink, maybe painful to touch, there are some things you can do. Firstly, get out and stay out of the sun. Applying a cooling aloe-vera gel (alcohol-free) to the affected area or a moisturizer that’s been in the fridge, and rub it in to help soothe and heal. A cold compress can also help relieve the pain prior to applying gel or cream. Taking ibuprofen or naproxen will help the pain and swelling subside.

2. Acne

Breaking out is no fun, especially in summer. Sweat mixing with bacteria and oils can clog your skin, causing breakouts all over your body. Use non-comedogenic products on your face, neck, chest and back. This will help to limit acne. Be sure to blot your skin with a clean towel. Wiping sweat can irritate the skin and cause trouble. The best way to deal with your skin if you do break out is to carry on with your skincare regime. Cleanser, toner and a light moisturizer on your face everyday will help minimize breakouts. Don’t pick or scratch your break out, that will increase your risk of scarring. Be patient and it will clear up with your diligence and care.

3. Athletes Foot

This fungus is common in summer as it is contagious and can be picked up around swimming pools or any warm, wet, dark environment. To avoid the spread of it, or acquiring it all together, make sure to dry feet thoroughly, wear clean, dry socks and always have something on your feet that’s breathable. However, if you discover itching, or peeling between your toes or on the soles of your feet, there are remedies to help you. Antifungal creams and powders are available for application. Wash and dry feet thoroughly before applying. If your feet begin to crack or blister, it would be best to head to the doctor to get an antibiotic cream to help you heal.

4. Rashes

Rashes are a bummer to get in summer. Itchy, sweaty and terribly uncomfortable! There are several types of rashes you can acquire in the summer months, from heat rash to poison ivy. The best defense is to wear light, loose fitting cotton clothes and to keep your skin cool using fans, having cool showers and being in air conditioning whenever possible. Plant rashes, like poison ivy or oak, can be avoided if you can identify them and steer clear of them when in parks or wooded areas. If any rash seems to be hanging around for too long, seeing your doctor for proper treatment is always recommended.

5. Bug Bites

What seems like the itchiest of skin troubles! Bug bites suck, especially when it’s hot out. Mosquitoes, black flies, wasp bites or ticks, they all have their unique brand of stopping you in your tracks. To prevent them from attacking you, spray yourself with a good bug repellent and try to wear loose, cotton, long-sleeve shirts and pants whenever possible. If you are attacked by any of these culprits, anti-itch creams or lotions may be applied. In extreme cases of reaction, antibiotics might be the best medicine.

Remember that all of these ailments can be prevented with a few simple precautions. Let’s enjoy all the positives that summer brings and be careful out there!

Let’s Connect

We welcome your questions and feedback. You can connect with us via email or telephone. And as always, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest trends and special offers! 

Till next time, 

Phyllis 

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4 Fool-Proof Ways to Reduce Wrinkles and Fine Lines

a perfect pinky reduce wrinkles and fine lines

The aging process can sometimes seem unfair. We can develop new troubles with our skin that we didn’t have in our younger years. But sometimes we can prevent or eliminate some issues altogether. One such issue is fine lines and wrinkles. Although it’s been said that we need to just accept our aging skin as it is, since wrinkles are said to be inevitable – that’s simply not true. Yes our metabolism slows as we age, and in turn the formation of collagen and elastin that we need for a plump complexion, slowly lessens. Let’s take a look at these 4 fool-proof ways we can help revive our glow.

1. Limit Your Sugar Intake

Processed sugar can increase collagen breakdown. It creates dehydration and therefore sucks moisture out of the skin. And really, is just plain bad for you. Eating fruits and vegetables, rich in vitamin C especially, is vital to help build collagen in the skin and restore your glowing complexion.

2. Always Use Sunscreen

Sun protection cannot be stressed enough in the prevention of wrinkles and other skin ailments. It’s essential to wear an SPF of 30 or higher with broad-spectrum protection. SPF prevents wrinkles people! But you must use it everyday even when it’s cloudy.

3. Quit Smoking

Obviously smoking is bad for your health for a multitude of reasons, in addition to aging your skin prematurely. Smoking affects the blood vessels that deliver oxygen and nutrients to your skin and entire body. Depriving the skin of these vital nutrients, such as Vitamin C, creates a pale, uneven skin tone and wrinkles. There are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco that deplete your skin’s collagen and elastin, therefore creating wrinkly, sagging faces. So the sooner you quit, the better – or better yet, don’t start at all!

4. Consume Foods Rich in Antioxidants

Your skin is your largest organ and it suffers the most oxidative stress throughout your daily routine. Antioxidants help fight that stress and damage. The best way to boost your antioxidants is to consume foods rich in them. Kale, blueberries or kidney beans are examples of great foods that help with this. Get the wrinkle free skin you want from the inside out.

There are so many creams and procedures that can help prevent and eliminate aging skin. But realistically, if you just start practicing the recommendations in this short list, you will notice a significant difference. Some say the best overall help to your skin is to eat properly, exercise and stay hydrated. Think about it… while you’re putting on your sunscreen. 😉

We welcome your questions and feedback. You can connect with us via email or telephone. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest trends and special offers! 

Till next time, 

Phyllis 

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