Feet!
Look After Your Feet , They will be seen!

Feet
Perhaps it's because our feet are so far away from our faces that we don't always give them the care and attention they deserve. Or maybe it's just a matter of'out of sight, out of mind'! Whatever  the reason, feet are often neglected.
Our feet are made up of a complex framework of twenty-six bones, supported by ligaments, muscles and tendons. They are strong enough to support our full weight, yet flexible enough to take that weight painlessly and effortlessly as we walk, run and jump.
Most of us are lucky enough to be born witt perfect feet. Yet, by the time we are twenty, most of us will have developed some form of foot trouble, and in later life four out of every five people suffer from foot problems. Almos all of these problems could be avoided, because almost all are caused either by
• shoes which don't fit properly or
• feet which aren't cared for properly.

Day-to-day care
Feet should be washed every day, and dried carefully - especially between the toes, as damp skin here can attract infections like athlete's foot. Avoid long soaking - this robs the skin of the essential oils which keep it healthy.
Remove hard skin regularly - with either an abrasive cream, made for this purpose; a pumice stone; or an abrasive sponge. Never cut hard skin away, you could do damage.
Toenails should be cut regularly, but not too short - remember they are there to
protect your toes. Always cut toenails straight across - it's easier with clippers than with scissors. The best time for this task is after a bath, when toenails are softer and more flexible. ________
Beauty treats for your feet
These tips work wonders for tired, aching feet.
• Dip feet in cold water for one minute, then warm water for one minute. Repeat, then towel dry. Apply hand or body cream.
• Give feet a short soak in warm water with a tablespoon of bath salts or cider vinegar.
• Try a friction rub with your favourite cologne.
• Massage the soles of your feet - with or without cream - using thumbs and forefingers.
• Lie down for ten minutes with feet higher than your head.
• If your feet are hot, rub an ice cube over each foot.
• Warm some baby oil and massage into feet. (Rinse away excess thoroughly afterwards.)
• Use a foot refresher spray, or make your own with cold water and witchhazel in a plant-mister.
• Go barefoot about the house - it's very good for your feet.
Foot exercises
You may think that your feet get all the exercise they need, but these exercises are specially designed to strengthen the foot muscles, and help to keep them mobile and supple. Do them all barefoot of course!
• With hands on hips and feet parallel but slightly apart breathe in and rise up on your toes. Then slowly breathe out and lower your heels again. Repeat twenty times.
• Walk on the outsides of your feet for half a minute. Relax and repeat.
• Stand on a thick book or telephone directory and curl your toes over the edge, bending them downwards as far as possible. This exercise may hurt a little at first but do persevere with it.
• Pick a pencil off the floor using the toes of first one foot, then the other.
Sit in a straight-backed chair for the remaining exercises
• Lift one leg and extend it straight out. Then extend and stretch the foot in as straight a line as possible. Repeat with the other foot.
• Lift one foot from the floor and extend it fully. Trace a large circle with the toes, rotating the ankle joint fully. Repeat in the opposite direction. Then repeat the whole sequence with the other foot.
• With feet slightly apart and heels on the floor throughout, curl toes tightly inwards and under feet then open and stretch them outwards as far as you can.
Exercise sandals help your feet to walk as they should, so try wearing them in summer, or at home if you don't like going barefoot.


Give yourself a pedicure
The ultimate beauty treat for feet is a pedicure - and it's an aid for foot comfort, too. Once a month at least make time for this do-it-yourself version.
First, collect everything you'll need:
A bowl (or bath) of hot water Cotton wool
Bath foam or body shampoo Cuticle remover
A towel Hand or body lotion
A pumice stone or hard skin remover cream And, if you want to paint your toenails,
Nail clippers Nail polish
An emery board Nail polish remover
An orange stick Foam rubber toe separators
If you are wearing nail polish, begin by removing it.
O Next, add foam or shampoo to the warm
^- water and then put your feet in. Soak for two to three minutes - no more. Towel dry thoroughly.
O Deal with hard or dead skin next. Use a ^ cream or pumice stone to remove this,
depending on how stubborn it is. Don't be too drastic, results can be painful. Aim to get rid of a build-up gradually and take care that you don't accidentally remove any of the softer, living skin underneath.
Next, clip your toenails. You should cut them straight across, as cutting too far down at the sides can encourage ingrowing toenails. Smooth the nail edge with the fine side of an emery board to prevent snagging on tights.
Apply a little cuticle remover to the base of each nail (or according to pack directions) then, using an orange stick wrapped at the tip with a wisp of cotton wool, ease back cuticles and remove excess. At this time you should also carefully remove any debris from the folds of skin at the sides of each nail.
Apply hand or body lotion and massage in give rough areas a double dose.
~7 Finally, if you wish, paint your toenails a ' pretty colour - ideally to match your fingernails. Keep toes apart with foam

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