Tag Archive for: manicures 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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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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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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Keep That Youthful Glow

collagen a perfect pinky youthful glow aurora spa

As we age, some things happen to us that are, unfortunately, unavoidable.  Fine lines, wrinkles, sagging skin and dullness are all associated with growing older. Collagen production naturally slows down as we age. Collagen is the naturally occurring support structure of the skin that keeps it smooth, plump and wrinkle-free. Therefore, when collagen fibers break down as we grow older it can’t be repaired in the same way as before. But there is a bright side! It is possible to rebuild collagen and regain some of our youthful glow. Let’s explore the options.

Food

There are an array of foods that boost our collagen production. Berries, including blueberries and raspberries are loaded with antioxidants that fight free radicals while boosting collagen. Fish, especially tuna and salmon, are rich in omega-3 which plumps up the cells and reduces inflammation while providing amino acids to firm the skin. And of course vegetables provide different things to help give collagen a boost. Green veggies have antioxidants, red veggies are full of lycopene and orange veggies are loaded with vitamin C, all of which aid in the restoration of collagen.

Reducing Sugar Intake and Refraining From Smoking

We all know that smoking is bad for you, but did you know it’s so dehydrating that it restricts blood flow and actually kills the collagen in your skin? And sugar has that very same effect. Processed sugar can permanently attach to collagen fibers, creating rigid, dull, dry and aged looking skin. Yet another reason to quit smoking and to limit sugar intake.

Topical Products and Massage

Choosing a product containing collagen can be tricky. The collagen amino acids need to be small enough to get to the deeper layers of your skin to deliver the plumping effect desired. There are a multitude of creams and masks on the market so it can seem confusing. The best way to solve the dilemma of what to choose is to talk to a skincare professional. They can guide you with suggestions on what type of facial to have, and what masks and creams would work best for you. And they can administer the proper facial massage within the chosen facial to stimulate collagen production and strengthen muscle memory.

Hydration

There’s no question; the more hydrated your skin is, the better environment it gives for collagen and elastin to produce. Keep your skin hydrated by eating hydrating foods like vegetables and fruits, apply hydrating skincare products and, of course, drink plenty of water.

The good news is that it is possible to rebuild collagen in the face and regain your youthful glow. With the right products, treatments and nutrients, your skin can indeed look younger for longer.

We welcome your questions and feedback. You can connect with us via email or telephone. And 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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