Beauty and fashion

Foot and shoe care

Simple steps to more beautiful feet all year round
How fit are your feet?
7 steps to fabulous feet
Foot defence: easy solutions for stressed out feet
Footwear care tips: if the shoe fits, clean it

Simple steps to more beautiful feet all year round

(NC)-In Canada, 38 per cent of women and 34 per cent of men say they spend between 5 and 10 hours a day on their feet, so it's hardly surprising that sometimes feet look a little worse for wear. And if you've spent the summer wearing open-toed sandals or high-heeled mules, you may find the skin on your feet even more dry and rough than usual.

There's no excuse to neglect your feet. After putting in the effort to get your feet into great shape for summer, why stop when the colder weather hits? In winter, it is just as important to look after the feet, particularly as the cold weather can have a drying effect on the skin. With a quick and simple routine, you can have pretty feet all year round, rather than just in time for summer sandal season. You'll notice an improvement in the appearance of your feet but also to your overall feeling of well-being.

Just like the skin on your face, the skin on your feet needs to be cared for with products specially formulated for that part of the body. Dr. Scholl's® Pedicure Essentials? line of products is designed to perfectly meet the needs of even the most neglected feet. Did you know, for example, that the skin on your feet is up to 50 times thicker than the skin on other parts of your body? So to keep your feet in tip-top condition, it's essential to use products that slough away dry skin, moisturise and pamper.

It's never been easier to keep your feet healthy and beautiful and it need only take a few minutes of your day.

Multi-task in the shower

In the shower, take a couple of minutes to massage an exfoliant into the feet to help remove dry skin, cleanse, moisturize and soften. After showering, apply a moisturizer, such as Dr. Scholl's® Cracked Skin Repair Cream.

An afternoon pick-me-up

If you've been rushing around all day, by mid-afternoon, feet and legs can feel hot and tired. For instant invigoration, try Dr. Scholl's® Cooling Peppermint Foot & Leg Lotion—it will leave them feeling fresh and ready to go again!

Soak away the stresses of the day

After a hard day at work, there's nothing better than a relaxing foot bath to wash away the stresses of the day. Sit back, relax and let your feet soak in warm water for around 15 minutes: as well as soothing away aches and pains, it will soften the skin on the feet and make it easier to trim the nails. Finally, massage in Dr. Scholl's® Ultra Overnight Foot Cream and you'll climb into bed feeling relaxed and pampered!

Dr. Scholl's® Pedicure Essentials® Collection is available in the foot care section of your local pharmacy, grocery or mass retailer. Visit www.drscholls.ca for more information.

Courtesy NewsCanada

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How fit are your feet?

(NC)-Canadians are overlooking an important part of their exercise routine.

A recent omnibus poll conducted for Toronto-based company, Barefoot Science, found that more than 50 per cent of us suffer from tired or sore feet and foot pain. No surprise when you consider that while a large majority of these same respondents reported engaging in regular physical fitness activities, only a small number participated in activities to strengthen toes, foot muscles or arches.

How important is it to exercise your feet? "Very important," according to experts such as Toronto-based chiropractor and author Bruce Comstock, BSc, DC. "Because of the restrictions to the natural movements of your feet, long-term shoe-wearing, even athletic shoes, can cause 'tired foot syndrome,' which leads to foot and lower-limb joint-related ailments."

The damage can begin in early childhood when children are outfitted in rigid, inflexible shoes, which are meant to support, but instead these shoes restrict natural movement, weakening the muscles in the foot and changing the shape and positioning of the toes.

Barefoot Science, makers of innovative insoles that strengthen feet by mimicking the experience of walking barefoot, offer this routine to keep your feet fit and help prevent injury:

Choose flexible shoes

Select soft, non-restrictive footwear that allows your toes to wiggle easily. Keep laces tied loosely.

Do curled-toe stretches

With shoes off, extend your leg outward. Stretch and point your foot downwards, curling your toes, and hold for 30 seconds. You should feel a mild stretch in the top of the foot through the front of the shin just below the knee. Repeat with the other foot. Note: the stretch should not create strain, discomfort, or pain.

Do raised-toe foot and calf stretches

With your shoes and socks off, stand at a 45-degree angle facing a wall. Place the forefoot (ball of the foot area) and toes of the foot closest to the wall against the wall. Keep your heel on the floor. Your foot should be raised at a 45-degree angle. Keeping the knee bent, gently push it towards the wall to create a mild stretch through the bottom of your foot and calf, and hold for 30 seconds. Repeat this stretch with the knee straight and hold for 30 seconds. Note: the stretch should not create strain, discomfort, or pain.

Go barefoot

Walk barefoot on grass or sand in the warmer months to stimulate your feet through direct ground contact.

Consider "barefoot-like" insoles

When going without shoes isn't an option, wear Barefoot Science insoles to imitate the advantages of being barefoot, strengthen your arches and restore proper foot function. Visit www.BarefootScience.com for more information.

Courtesy NewsCanada

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7 steps to fabulous feet

(NC)-No doubt about it—winter wreaks havoc on our skin, hair, nails, and especially our feet. Take care of your tootsies this season with a home pedicure from Q-tips cotton swabs.

Remove

Clean off old nail polish using a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover. For smaller toenails, a Q-tips cotton swab is the perfect tool.

Trim

Cut nails straight across using toenail clippers. File, if necessary, to smooth any rough edges.

Soak

Fill a bucket or large bowl with warm water and Epsom salts. Find a comfy chair and a good magazine and relax for at least 15 minutes. Rinse feet in clean, warm water and pat dry.

Smooth

Use a pumice stone to smooth away rough spots on toes, heels and the balls of feet. (Doing this after every shower helps keep your feet in shape.)

Neaten

Using an orangewood stick, gently push back cuticles. Never cut the cuticle; only trim hangnails.

Moisturize

Massage an extra-rich moisturizer like Vaseline Intensive Care into your toes, ankles, soles—even calves—to improve circulation, relieve fatigue, and energize. Aaahh!

Polish

Polishing toes is easier with a foam toe separator available at most dollar stores. Apply a clear base coat to help keep your nails from absorbing the pigments from the polish, two coats of colour and a clear topcoat. In a hurry? Try two coats of clear polish for an easy, elegant look. If you paint outside the lines, dip a Q-tips cotton swab in nail polish remover and wipe off the stray polish.

For great ideas on how to get your body ready for spring, visit www.homebasics.ca.

Courtesy NewsCanada

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Foot defence: easy solutions for stressed out feet

(NC)-Keeping feet healthy and looking good can be a challenge when there are so many elements of daily life that are hard on our feet. According to Christina Morin, consultant podiatrist for Dr. Scholl's®, "Aside from the general stresses our feet undergo on a daily basis, there are a number of activities which deserve extra care and attention."

So, in a typical day, what can we do to combat these foot enemies and ensure healthy feet?

Starting the day

The morning rush to get ready for work can be frantic, but by taking a few extra minutes, you can make a world of difference to your feet. Start the day by tackling rough skin on your feet with a pumice stone or an exfoliant such as Dr. Scholl's® Exfoliating Foot Scrub. Once out of the shower, always take care when drying the feet, as it is essential to dry completely between the toes. Leaving feet damp could lead to a fungal infection of the skin such as athlete's foot. Don't forget to moisturize feet daily as well, but be sure not to put moisturizer between the toes.

At work

When polled, 41 per cent of Canadian women stated that work is the single largest factor that keeps them on their feet throughout the day. Many working women suffer from pain in the balls of their feet, most often caused by wearing high heels. If you stand for long hours, work on a hard floor surface, or wear shoes with pointy toes, then you may be putting your feet under a great deal of pressure. The best solution is to wear well-fitting shoes and to change them every day to ensure they do not wear out too quickly. For extra comfort, try a cushioning, shock-absorbing insole in your shoes such as Dr. Scholl's® Massaging GelT Insoles. If feet ache at the end of a hard day at work, try soaking them for 10 minutes in a warm, soothing foot bath.

Leisure time

If you enjoy sports and are a regular gym-goer then you may be noticing the health benefits of an active lifestyle. But before you slip into the same shoes you wear for jogging to take a step-aerobics class, remember that every sport requires footwear that's appropriate to the activity, and to your feet. Properly fitting sports shoes can enhance performance and prevent injuries, such as blisters, calluses, or even a twisted ankle or knee.

Don't forget to take care in gym showers and changing rooms: wear flip-flops instead of walking around in bare feet to guard against fungal infections. Using a product such as Tinactin® on the feet is also a good way to prevent athlete's foot. It's important to allow sports shoes to dry out properly after a work out, as otherwise the dampness provides the ideal environment for bacteria to grow.

Feet bear the burden of our body's full weight wherever we go, so it's no surprise that foot conditions are among the most common health problems in Canada today. By taking care of your feet, not only will they look better, but you'll improve your overall quality of life.

Visit www.drscholls.ca for more information on footcare.

Courtesy NewsCanada

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Footwear care tips: if the shoe fits, clean it

(NC)-Sloppy weather takes its toll on our shoes and boots. Rain, snow, ice, and salt can leave unwelcome marks. Skechers, the fashion-forward footwear company, knows a thing or two about shoes, and offers the following tips for prolonging the life of your favourite footwear:

• Smooth leather: Remove all dust with a damp cloth. Use shoe cream for cleaning, then select a neutral shade of polish or a colour that most closely matches your shoe. Never polish wet shoes.
• Scuff-resistant leather: Remove minor scuffs simply by rubbing them with your hand, which has natural oil that will restore the original look of the leather. For deeper scrapes and scuffs, use a soft brush and neutral polish.
• Suede leather: If shoes are wet, first let them dry, then use a rubber sponge or soft brush to eliminate any clinging dirt. Regular brushing will keep the nap of the suede clean. Stubborn stains should be removed with commercial stain remover made for use on suede. Never put suede shoes in a washing machine or immerse them in water.
• Nubuck leather: See instructions for suede leather.
• Road salt stains: Clean them off immediately, before they set. For leather shoes, use a mixture of one cup of warm water with one tablespoon of white vinegar. Apply with a soft cloth, gently rubbing the soiled area. For more delicate suede shoes and boots, simply dab salt stains with a little clean water.
• Remember to allow all footwear to dry thoroughly before you put them on again. And avoid putting shoes in the clothes washer or dryer.

Taking good care of your footwear protects your investment and makes your favourite, comfortable shoes and boots last longer.

More footwear information is available at www.skechers.com.

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