Show your Toots Some Love! 4 Simple Steps for a DIY Foot Spa

I’m a major proponent of purchased pedicures. I love walking into a salon and having some other person work his or her magic on my little tootsies. All that scrubbing and buffing and painting — and don’t forget the massage finale — puts a lady in a fine mood. Honestly, I have absolutely zero problem spending $25 or $30 on myself (err…my feet) every once in a while.

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With that said, there are a few occasions where an at-home pampering session is just…necessary. Maybe you’re prepping for a hot date and you want to make sure all your piggies are in pristine condition. Maybe you’ve had a really long day and you just need a foot soak to take your mind off the rude lady from the subway or your boss’s incessant criticism. Perhaps you just want to primp, which is a natural-born right bestowed upon all women.

Whatever your reasoning, I’m here to inspire your own DIY foot spa sesh.

DIY Foot Spa in 4 Easy Steps

1. Soak those bad boys

Fill a large basin with medium-to-hot water. You could get a basin made for feet, but it’s not necessary. Try a litter box (clean, of course), or a deep foil baking dish, or even two large bowls. The choice is yours.

Next, you’ll soak your feet. You can go the traditional route, and mix one cup of Epsom salts and a squeeze of body lotion. If you have essential oils on hand, throw a few drops of your favorite scent in there too.

If you have a fungus-related condition, say athlete’s feet, you can up the ante with a Listerine soak. Simply mix one part Listerine with two parts water. Drop those feet right in there and wait 10 or 15 minutes.

2. Remove dead skin

The Epsom soak will loosen dead skin and other unpleasantries, making it easier for you to scrub it all away. Sometimes I use a loofah, other times a pumice stone. My personal favorite, though (and this is somewhat of an indulgence) is Le Edge. It’s a multipurpose exfoliation tool. It’s disgusting (in a very satisfying way) to see what this thing scrapes off.

3. Make your own sugar scrub

For more exfoliating power and an additional sensory experience, make yourself a DIY sugar scrub. I typically combine 1/4 cup sugar, 1/8 cup olive oil and a teaspoon of honey. Mix well and massage onto each foot and leg for about three minutes each. Afterward, rinse it all away.

4. Lock in moisture

After your feet have dried, apply thick lotion to each foot and then wear the fluffiest, coziest socks you own. The cuter they are, the better your feet will look in the end. Not really, but at least you’ll be wearing cute socks.