Pretty Toes Info » Foot Care

Nutrition for Healthy Nails

GuestPoster — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:57:51 +0000

Ensuring we are consuming the correct nutrition is the foundation for healthy nails. Although taking care of our nails by trimming and filing them correctly and avoiding bad habits like biting and picking them are important too; eating the right foods helps build healthy strong nails from the onset. Having healthy nails will also ensure that we have pretty toes and pretty feet. So which nutrients do we need to consume for our nails on a daily basis?

Protein
Proteins matter because protein is matter! Every solid thing in out body is made up of protein and nails are no exception. Nails are made up of laminated layers of a protein called keratin. Protein deficiency is rare in the developed world but it can occur. White lines across the nails are a sign of inadequate protein in the diet. To ensure we are consuming enough protein we need to eat foods like lean meats, fish, beans, pulses, whole grains and eggs at least twice a day.

Sulfer
Sulfer helps to produce stronger nails by increasing nail flexibility. This helps to prevent nail cracks from occuring. Fish, egg yolks, cabbage, broccoli, kale garlic and onions are great sources of sulfer.

Vitamin C
Collagen cannot be created without vitamin C. Although collagen is actually made up of amino acids, vitamin C is required as a chemical co-factor in its creation. Collagen is essential to healthy skin hair and nails. It is basically a glue that holds the proteins in skin hair and nails together. Without collagen the nails can become weakened and brittle. In severe cases of vitamin C deficiency a condition called scurvy can result in which the skin actually begins to fall apart and nails fall off. This can eventually lead to death! Now a very rare condition, scurvy was once a problem for sailors on long journeys without fresh fruits and vegetables. So ensuring that we have an adequate intake of vitamin C daily is very important for overall health and avoiding weak nails. Oranges, papayas, mangoes, tomatoes, kale, spinach and broccoli are all great sources of vitamin C.

Zinc
Low levels of zinc in the body leads to white spots in the nails. Zinc is an essential mineral which is needed for 100′s of important chemical reactions in the body and is found in almost every one of our cells. Blackberries, cashews and avocadoes are good sources of zinc, while oysters are an exceptionally high source of this mineral.

You can tell these are healthy nails.

Go for a Juice or a Smoothie
Daily homemade juice recipes or smoothies is a great way to get an abundance of sulfer, vitamin C, protein and zinc into your diet.

Healthy Toenails Juice
2 cups of blackberries
2 kiwis

Peel kiwis and wash blackberries thoroughly before juicing. This juice is especially high in vitamins C and zinc.

Healthy Nails Green Smoothie
1 scoop of vanilla whey protein powder
2 cups of kale
1 cup of spinach
1 cup of water

Blend everything together and serve. This is the ultimate healthy nails smoothie. It provides protein, zinc, sulfer and vitamin C benefits.

Home Pedicure, Beauty and Spa Ideas

GuestPoster — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:59:32 +0000

When you are looking to save some money on your regular spa dates, think about having your own “spa” at home. You may pamper and primp yourself for a lot less money than you will typically spend at an expensive day spa or beauty salon. You can even have a friend do the work so that it is more relaxing. Or, make a “girls’ night” out of it by having your friends pamper you in turn for you pampering them.

For your nails, set up a home pedicure or manicure station. Pick a favorite arm chair where you can be comfortable, and spread out your nail supplies. You will want nail polish remover, nail polish, nail files, nail clippers, lotion, and cuticle clippers.

With these supplies, you may start your nail treatment to attain pretty toes. If choosing to do a pedicure simply take off your ladies shoes, and soak your feet in a bowl full of warm, soapy water before working on your toenails.

Next, clip your nails, and then file them. It is good to make sure that each nail is about even, and that the tips are rounded. From there you can treat your cuticles by adding a bit of lotion and then pushing them down or clipping them. Once your cuticles are finished, rub lotion over your hands to soften them. You can then add your colored nail polish (unless you are doing a French pedicure). It is important to put at least two coats on when you are painting toenails, waiting a little while in between the coats. Finally, add some clear nail polish over the top. This will ensure you and all your girlfriends will have some pretty feet to show off when wearing some cute ladies sandals.

Look at this convenient home manicure kit!

You and your friends can also spend much of the time sharing and exchanging favorite beauty and makeup tips. Sometimes some of the best tips come from friends and acquaintances who know your current beauty habits and may have some good advice to help improve your look.

For your face, a facial mask may be a good idea. Find a good one at the drugstore and follow the directions on the container. These usually require you to spread the mask over your face and leave it on for about ten minutes. Afterward you can take a warm, damp cloth and use it to remove the mask. This will leave your skin soft and your pores clean. Getting a monthly facial is one of the most recommended beauty tips of spa professionals.

If you want to dye your hair, you will definitely want a friend or family member to help out. First follow the directions on the package, covering as much of your hair as possible. Afterward, have a partner touch up parts that you may have missed so that you have an even color.

General Information for Keeping Pretty Toes

admin — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:35:02 +0000

One of the most attractive things a girl can have is pretty toes and feet. A person’s feet are very indicative of a person’s overall health and cleanliness, and that is a big part of the reason everyone notices them. As a girl, you want your feet to always be soft and your toes to always be shiny! This is especially true in the summertime, when you are in sandals or open-toe shoes and heels.

There are many ways to take care of your feet so they are always ready to be shown off. You can get your girlfriends together and give eachother a great home pedicure. If you want the natural look of pretty bare toes, you can give always give yourselves a French pedicure (where the toenail is shiny, but retains its original colors). Both articles also include tips on how to soften and cleanse your feet to give you pretty toes and soles before adding the nail polish.

You also want to make sure you use the top nail care products when taking care of your toes. This doesn’t mean just using the best nail polish; you want to make sure to be using the top topcoats and basecoats too. This is not only good to make your toes pretty, but to protect them and make sure they have longevity. Basecoats protect your toes from the harsh chemicals found in nail polish, and the topcoat makes sure the nail polish keeps from dimming or chipping for a longer period of time. Remember to use good technique when you are painting toenails as well.

One last way to take keep pretty feet is to find someone to give you a fantastic foot massage. It might be a good idea to show someone who cares about you that post . At the same time, a foot massage is one of the nicest things you can do for another person. Be sure to read the entire article for great tips.

If you really want to give your feet a treat, it might be a good idea to get your girlfriends together, and do the full home pedicure treatment with all the best nail products and a message included at the end. Good luck and keep those toes wiggling!

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How to give a Home Foot Massage

admin — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 01:10:48 +0000

A foot massage is one of life’s great pleasures and leaves the recipient with happy, pretty feet. Not only does it feel fantastic, many people believe when done properly, it can relieve stress and promote general well being. An entire branch of alternative medicine (Reflexology) is dedicated to this principle. It is believed that by applying pressures to specific parts of the foot, it can have healing effects all over your body.

Regardless of whether you believe that or not, it can’t be denied that everyone loves a foot massage. Not to mention the fact that a foot massage can be very erotic.

Here are some tips that will quickly turn you into an awesome foot massager. I wouldn’t recommend using any electronic foot massagers either; the ultimate foot massage machine is your hands (and maybe a few lotions too!)

Before you start, you might want to have them soak their feet in warm water for at least ten minutes. This will leave their feet clean and soft. Just like when giving a pedicure, if you want to add sea salt, oils, vinegar, or lemon juice to the water, that is perfectly ok. =)

Believe it or not, giving a great foot massage is really easy. Here are some great methods for giving a friend or loved one a fantastic foot massage. Remember, all these foot massage techniques are done with the person lying on their back, with their feet pointing up.

*Remember to treat the foot as if it were a present!

1. Long Rubbing / Stroking

One of the most basic techniques is giving long rubs of medium pressure along each side of the foot. Grab the foot from the bottom and slowly stroke the foot all the way up to the toes. Just as one hand is reaching the top, the other hand should be starting at the bottom. The motion should be similar to that of pulling a rope.

2. Ankle Rotations

This one feels fantastic. Sustain the foot from the heel with one hand, and grab the ball of the foot with the other. Rotate the foot gently about five times in one direction, and then fives times in the other.

3. Thumb Walking

With this technique, you want to grab the foot like you would a handheld video game, where your thumbs are pressing the soles of the foot. Then simply apply medium pressure with your thumbs going up and down the foot, as if the thumbs were walking. You may also rub your thumbs into the foot in circular motions.

4. Kneading / Arch Press

Hold the foot up with one hand, and press your fist into the arch of the foot with the other. Slide your first from the heel towards the toes. Then return to starting position and repeat.

5. Toe rotations, squeezes and pulls

Another foot massage technique is toe rotations. This one is self-explanatory. Just remember that its not just pretty toes that are sensitive, guys have sensitive toes too…so be gentle!

Now you know how to give a foot massage. If you want to make a foot massage extra special, consider purchasing a hot stone massage kit! It feels amazing and will make the massage a very memorable experience.

Best Nail Care Products

admin — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 23:11:05 +0000

Basically, these are the top five sellers for all the boring nail care products that nobody wants to talk about (i.e. – topcoats, basecoats, and nail polish removers). So why am I talking about them? BECAUSE THEY ARE IMPORTANT! Ladies, if you want to your nails to shine and sparkle, you’re going to need more than just a great nail polish. You’re going to need quality nails products to supplement them.

Now, this isn’t an actual review of each individual nail product (after all, there isn’t too much to say about topcoats, basecoats, and nail polish removers). Here we are just going based on the wisdom of the crowds. These are the top five bestselling products for topcoats, basecoats, and nail polish removers (information from Amazon.com). Hopefully this information and these professional nail products will help you on your way towards pretty feet! =)

Remember: for tips and tricks on the most effective way to use these products, be sure to read the painting toenails and home pedicure articles. These topcoats are particularly effective for the French pedicure as well.

TOP TOPCOATS

1.    OPI Rapidry Topcoat
2.    Essie to Dry For Topcoat
3.    Trind Topcoat
4.    Zoya Armor Topcoat
5.    Orly Won’t Chip Topcoat

TOP BASECOATS

1.    Zoya Anchor Basecoat
2.    Trind Basecoat
3.    Essie Protein Basecoat
4.    OPI Designer Series Basecoat
5.    NARS Nail Basecoat

TOP NAIL POLISH REMOVERS

1.    Trind Nail Polish Remover
2.    OPI Expert Touch Polish Remover
3.    Zoya Remove + Nail Polish Remover
4.    Orly Slip It Off Nail Polish Remover
5.    Soy Polish Remover by Priti

Everyone has differing opinions on which ones are actually the best nail products, and while they are all different, it is a pretty safe bet to say they are all quality products. After all, if they weren’t, they wouldn’t be on the top seller lists! Best thing to do is try out each nail care product until you find the ones that work best for you. Combine your pretty toes with some spray tanning and you will have some great looking legs. Since this will be the case, you best put away your ladies shoes and put on some sexy ladies sandals instead!