www.womanthismonth.com 41 October 2013 Tried and Tested As a Brazilian, I couldn’t hold my curiosity when I heard about the treatment titled ‘Brazilian manicure’. I was happy to discover that it wasn’t just for hands! Where I come from, taking care of nails in general is a big deal. Stepping out with chipped nail paint is just not acceptable in a Brazilian lifestyle. I was surprised to find out that the treatment at Gloss Salon follows the exact routine we find in most salons in my homeland. The best part is that the nail care expert uses an individual kit with all the necessary products for each client. The procedure starts with cleansing and then removing the dead skin, followed by a scrubbing gel. Then, your foot is wrapped in a plastic bag with moisturiser, after which the pedicure starts. The highlight is the massage after the entire procedure. What a treat! Honestly, I was not confident about the paraffin part as my research said that it would be quite hot. To my delight, it was the perfect temperature! The individual ‘sock’ for each foot is hygienic and comfy. The paraffin wax comes off easily and you’re ready to go! It is the best my feet have felt in a while. Unfortunately, I had to go back to my heels. What: Brazilian pedicure and Paraffin feet treatment Where: Gloss Salon at Marriott Executive Apartments, Juffair Aim: The Brazilian pedicure removes dead cells and moisturises the skin. The paraffin acts as an anti-ageing treatment and also smoothes the skin. Winning factor: The hygienic kits for both treatments and, of course, the wonderful massage! On the shelves: L’Occitane Foot Cream treats dry skin. Philosophy Be Somebody Green Tea Scrub exfoliates and moisturises. Vaseline Cocoa Butter works wonders for cracked heels. More than a pedicure Although taking care of your cuticles for the perfect finish of your favourite nail paint is a good start, it isn’t all that can be done for your feet. A common problem faced by most women is ill-fitting shoes, which can affect your health. If they are too tight, shoes can cause hammer toes amongst other problems. Loose footwear prevents your heel from staying in the proper place when you walk. So, finding the right fit is the key to healthy feet! Whether you like to hear it or not, the truth is we need to avoid wearing high heels too frequently, especially on days that you know you will be walking a lot. Smooth over the cracks I know I mentioned keeping your feet dry is vital to feet care. So stating the need to moisturise is equally significant might seem contradictory. Well, it isn’t. The warm and sunny climate of Bahrain makes us wear sandals and flip-flops. This results in cracked and scaly skin. The solution is to keep it moisturised. Rub on lotion containing cocoa butter every day after a shower to help your skin to get softer. For improved results, pull on a comfortable pair of socks to hold the lotion in. Skip the areas between the toes. Look for special treatments, such as paraffin wax, to heal dried and cracked heels. Time to exercise The muscles in your feet need exercise just like any other in your body. The best way to strengthen them is to take a walk. Making it a routine will make them firm and keep your ligaments flexible. Find different terrains for your stroll. If you’re used to pavements, mix it up and try walking along the beach or in parks.
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