Tag Archive for: mani pedi newmarket

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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6 Foods That Resemble the Body Parts They’re Good For  

woman drinking red wine a perfect pinky aurora spa

Check out these 6 foods that remarkably look like different parts of the human body – giving us clues regarding their health benefits.  

Interestingly, many of the healthy foods we eat physically resemble different parts of our bodies. And even though they are beneficial to our overall health, they do seem to directly benefit the body parts they mirror. Cut up carrots, for instance, look like our eyes! And brain boosting walnuts even look like our brains! Perhaps it’s just a coincidence but regardless, this is a fun way to look at the food we eat. Below is a short list of 6 superfoods we consume that target different body parts. 

Tomatoes 

Not only do tomatoes resemble the human heart, they are quite important for our vascular health. Tomatoes are chock-full of important nutrients, including vitamins A, B, C & E, potassium, folate and lycopene. They are low in calories and high in fiber. Incidentally, lycopene specifically has shown to lower LDL (bad cholesterol) which is super important to keep your blood from clotting – thus lowering your risk of stroke. So, add tomatoes to your salads and top your turkey burger with them and enjoy! 

Walnuts 

Walnuts (in smaller quantities to keep calories low) are a great addition to many dishes like summery salads or a warming bowl of oatmeal. Walnuts also look very similar to our brain – and for good reason. They are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which lowers cholesterol levels. They are also known to have positive effects on our mood since research has shown that they boost serotonin levels. If you enjoy an added crunch to your salads, try replacing croutons with walnuts. Your brain will thank you! 

Celery 

Celery juice is the latest craze, and for good reason. This vegetable has an astounding similarity to the shape of our bones. Celery is a wonderful addition to any diet as it is low in calories and provides an excellent source of fiber. It also contains vitamin K which is crucial for bone building and repairing. A few other vitamins and nutrients for bone health include vitamin C (essential for collagen), vitamins B2 and B5, magnesium, and boron. Scoop up a couple tablespoons of peanut butter with a stalk of celery and you have yourself a delicious and bone-strengthening afternoon snack! 

Ginger 

Eating ginger when you have a sore tummy can sometimes be a lifesaver. In many cultures, the root of the ginger plant is known as a remedy for an upset stomach. Not to mention the incredible flavour it adds to a dish is simply unmatched. The active ingredient in ginger is called gingerol. Not only does it provide your immune system with a ton of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but it’s also delicious with sushi! Furthermore, ginger can be an excellent addition to teas, soups, and curries.  

Avocados 

Avocados are an excellent and healthy source of fat. If you cut it in two, the shape of each half of the avocado is very similar to the silhouette of a woman’s uterus. This is quite interesting since healthy fats are an integral part of a woman’s fertility. Avocados help the cervix and uterus to function at their best. Not to mention that avocados are extremely versatile. They can be consumed in fruity smoothies, as a dip, spread on top of toast, tossed into salads, and the list goes on!  

Red Wine 

Researchers suggest that red wine can be healthy for our blood and our bodies (in moderation of course). It is high in Resveratrol, which is a compound found in certain plants as well as red wine that has many antioxidant properties. Although grapes and berries are a better source of Resveratrol, it is known to possibly boost our health and protect us against some types of cancer. So, a glass of red wine a day really can be beneficial to our overall health! 

There is no doubt that a well-balanced diet, paired with daily exercise, will always be our best choice for optimal health. We recommend eating a varied diet of whole grains, protein, healthy fats/oils, and a broad range of fruits and vegetables – to keep our organs and bodies working at their finest. 

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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What Beauty Sheet Mask Is Best For You?

What Beauty Sheet Mask Is Best For You?

Beauty sheet masks are the latest craze in facial regimes.  Instead of applying a paste type mask, sheet masks are mess-free and chalk full of ingredients that aid the skin in hydration, brightening, tightening and healing.  They can be used during a facial or on their own after finishing your cleansing regime.

Individually packaged, the one time use of this cloth-like mask, rich in beneficial serums, can help to eliminate toxins, reduce wrinkles and even heal wounds caused by acne.  The following are examples of sheet masks introduced into the world of skin care.  Have a read and see which one would suit your skin best.

Pearl Powder

Pearl powder is easily absorbed into the skin and is a natural source of calcium.  It also contains multiple nutrients to tighten and brighten the skin.  These nutrients contain wrinkle diminishing properties as well as help to reduce various pigmentation problems such as dark spots or acne scars.  This beauty sheet mask smoothes the texture of the skin, making you feel and appear more youthful.

Snail

The skin stress buster! Snail mucin enriched sheet masks contain skin softening emollients which regenerate hydration in dry, flaky skin.  Since snail mucin contains glycolic acid, it soothes the face as it hydrates.  Glycolic acid smoothes and evens out skin tone while promoting elastin and collagen reproduction.

Pomegranate

Pomegranate seed oil is not only beneficial to consume, but also invigorating for our skin.  Since the oil is loaded with multiple minerals and vitamins, such as vitamin B1 and B2, the fruit creates a firm and supple skin texture.  The pomegranate sheet mask, therefore, aids in slowing down the aging process and reducing the appearance of skin damage from years of sun exposure.

Calming Aloe

A calming sheet mask infused with aloe and/or green tea leaf extract can leave your skin calm and comforted in just 15 minutes.  Applied chilled, this mask is beneficial to inflamed skin caused by several types of irritants such as detergents, or harsh environmental conditions.  Aloe Vera also contains wound healing hormones effective in helping to eliminate skin conditions such as acne or eczema.  A mask with so many benefits!

Charcoal

A mask for oily skin, charcoal products are great for those who are prone to break outs.  Charcoal pulls excess oil from the skin, drawing with it bacteria and other toxins.  After receiving a thorough deep cleansing facial, a charcoal sheet mask will detoxify the skin and help promote a flawless complexion.  A great mask for teens!

After using any mask, apply a moisturizer that is suitable for your skin type and that contains an SPF. This will help to seal in all the benefits of the nutrients within each mask.  Your skin will feel rejuvenated and refreshed!

If you’d like to take your skin care to the next level, we offer a variety of facial services to have your skin looking and feeling its best.

We welcome your questions and feedback. You can connect with us via email or telephone.  Don`t forgot to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest trends and special offers!

Til next time,

Phyllis

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Paying Attention to Skin Changes

check for skin changes

Our skin is our largest organ. Taking care of it is essential to our general well-being.  Therefore we need to be actively aware of any skin changes that occur.  Some of these changes can indicate or give clues as to what may be happening within our body.  Skin discoloration, a new growth, or even a difference in texture may be a sign of an illness or injury within us.  The following are some skin changes or conditions that may signal something worth looking into with a doctor.

New Growths

Any new mark or raised bump on the surface of our skin should always be seen by a doctor.  We are already aware that any moles we have should be routinely checked, as they could be a sign of skin cancer.  But there are some growths that can signal an internal issue.  Acne can suggest a hormone level problem, especially in women.  In extreme cases, acne along the jawline could indicate having polycystic ovarian syndrome, a condition that can also lead to thinning of the hair and weight changes in women.

Rashes and Other Textures

A rash or raised texture on the skin can signal an allergy to food, medication or the environment you are in.  However, other symptoms that can accompany a rash such as a fever or joint pain, may indicate an internal infection or condition.

For example, a purple tinged rash on the lower legs can be a sign of hepatitis C, or, not as common, a velvety rash could be a warning sign of stomach or liver cancer. Very dry, itchy patches of skin can be a sign of hormonal problems, especially in regards to the thyroid.  Or even eczema, a condition causing itchy, red patches of skin can be a signal of something internal going on, possibly joint issues or sleep problems.

Skin Discoloration

An altering in skin colour can be a symptom of various conditions worth looking into.  A yellowing of the skin, and the whites of the eyes, may signal liver failure.  A darkening of the skin, primarily scars and joints (knees and elbows) could be an indication of hormonal diseases, such as Addison’s disease.

Nail Changes

The shape or colour of our nails can also indicate an internal organ issue.  Dry, brittle nails could indicate a thyroid issue.  Nails that appear concave my indicate heart disease or a liver disorder called hemachromatosis, where the body absorbs too much iron.  Discoloured nails could indicate a plethora of possible health ailments.  Blueish tinged nails could mean low oxygen levels in the blood, whereas white nails may indicate a liver disease like hepatitis.

In short, pay attention to your body and look for skin changes.  Don’t ignore or overlook something new on your skin.  It is always best to consult your doctor if you have any doubt about a rash or a mark that you are unfamiliar with.  It just may be an indication of something bigger going on with you.

We welcome your questions and feedback. You can connect with us via email or telephone.  Don`t forgot to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest trends and special offers!

Til next time,

Phyllis

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