PurseBlog Beauty: 9 Steps to Get Your Feet Sandal-Ready for Spring

As the weather has steadily warmed in New York City, I’ve heard a familiar refrain from my friends: Ugh, my feet are so gross from winter. Ugh, I need to get a pedicure. New York is especially difficult on feet because of all the walking involved in living here, and the task of undoing all the winter’s snow-booted damage can seem daunting. Today, I’m here to break it down into a few simple steps and products.

Skincare in all varieties is one of my favorite modes of self-care; it’s something you do by yourself and for yourself because it feels good and indulgent, and you can see the results long after you’re done. If you sit down to watch Scandal and drink a couple glasses of wine every Thursday night, the products below can be in your possession this time next week to take your pre-weekend relaxation ritual to a whole new level.

Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Cleaser
$45 via Net-a-Porter

The first step to banish scaly winter feet is, of course, a thorough cleaning. This cleanser is particularly adept at removing odors without drying the skin, which is exactly what you want for feet.

Ramie Scrub Brush
$12 via Anthropologie

Just cleansing isn’t enough, though–you need to scrub. And not, like, from a cute little sugar scrub that you also use on your face twice a week. You need serious exfoliation, and for that, you need stiff bristles.

Margaret Dabbs Intensive Foot Oil
$33 via Net-a-Porter

Once you’ve scrubbed all the dead winter skin off your feet, you need to replace it with moisture. Lotion is for wimps; go directly for oil. (I have a lot of opinions about lotion vs. oil.)

Yu-Be Heel and Elbow Moisturizing Sock
$13 via Anthropologie

I hate wearing or sleeping in socks when it’s warm outside, but they’re the best way to get moisturizer or oil to do its best job on your feet overnight. These socks, from a stalwart Japanese beauty brand, are a great compromise–they cover the part of your foot most likely to need deep moisture but also let your soles breathe.

Deborah Lippmann Cuticle Remover
$20 via Sephora

If a foot looks crusty but the person its attached to has otherwise acceptable hygiene, it’s probably a cuticle issue–they become unsightly very quickly when it gets dry outside. This product lifts and softens dry, overgrown cuticles so that they can be easily nipped and removed.

Sephora Collection Cut to the Point Cuticle Nipper
$24 via Sephora

A set of nippers makes it easy to evenly remove excess cuticle material, which gives your feet a more manicured look and helps polish adhere to your nail bed evenly.

L’Occitane Shea Nail and Cuticle Nourishing Oil
$20 via Sephora

You’ve probably heard the phrase “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” and it applies perfectly to skincare. Once you’ve got your skin, nails and cuticles in shape, keeping everything moisturized extends the fruits of your labor.

Essie in the Cab-ana Nail Color
$8.50 via Macy’s

Essie’s cream-finish polishes, both bright and pastel, are far and away my favorite spring and summer pedicure colors. There are a zillion shades, and they’re all widely available for less than ten bucks. The lack of glitter or iridescence leaves you with a clean look that pops.

Aquazzura Colette Suede Sandals
$797 via mytheresa.com

Naturally, we couldn’t forget sandal choice and its importance. Aquazzura’s sandals have been absolutely fire for seasons on end, and maybe this is the year you add a pair to your closet.