11
Jan

Self-care: At-Home Spa Day for the New Year!

| Category: Holidays

Are you struggling to get into the “Holiday Mood?” Sometimes the holidays can be quite overwhelming. There is soo much to do! It may seem that every hour is spoken for with work or a holiday task.

But stop! You need self-help!

Maybe you need some self-pampering!

Create a special holiday tradition for you and your loved one.

We’ve talked about how important it is to take care of yourself. You can do some easy at-home-spa treatments. Perhaps, you can enjoy them with a sister or daughter. Make it a special time, a holiday routine. Make this a holiday tradition.

Set a place. Gather nice towels. Maybe light a candle. (What’s your favorite scent? Peppermint?) Get some beverages together: Hot cocoa? Wine?

Pampering your skin: your hands and feet, is more than just cleanliness. It is investing in your own self-care. When our bodies are well taken care of, our emotional and mental well-being will improve also.

(Side Note: I am endorsing the Pomifera line of products. It can be daunting to find a good product line that does more than one thing. I don't like a bunch of bottles. And this is a pure Natural product! I like using Natural products and not chemicals.)

Assemble tools to use: Get your supplies together. Perhaps a tray or a pretty box? Keep them together so you can use them again throughout the year.

Gather: (Soap and water a small bowl for hands, a larger one if you are doing a pedicure for feet.) Fluffy towels, nail polish remover (without acetone if possible. Acetone removes nail polish easily, but it harmful to the nail bed.)

You might want to add a scrub brush for your busy nails. (I keep my tools in a small box and I’m always ready.)

Nail clippers, cuticle oil (Pomifera oil I’ll talk more of this later.); cuticle pusher; nail files; buffer; alcohol; cotton pads.

Base/top coat, nail polish;

Foot soak: perhaps some scented Epsom salts; foot exfoliator (can use a sugar scrub or Pomifera’s); foot stone for feet.

What product to use for nail care? Suggestion:

Gather good moisturizing products together. I recommend Pomifera, a natural line of products from the commonly called, Hedge Apple or Osage Orange Tree.

Does it look familiar? I bet you see it along country roads under the trees this time of year. It is not edible, but it’s seeds are where the benefits lay!

The extract of Maclura Pomifera (Osage Orange), the fruit, is rich in folklore dating back to early Native American culture. For centuries, it was used as a botanical source for treating medical ailments. The seeds were also used as a nutritional source of amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids and lipids. (You can roast the seeds, but the flesh is inedible.)

The light weight, Omega-6 rich, UV protective 100% Pure Pomifera Oil is isolated through cold pressing. It comes from the seeds of the Maclura Pomifera fruit. This Vegan product is the rarest, most coveted oil for hair and skin care in the world. It is nature’s unique mix of phytonutrients and bio-flavonoids that deliver the benefits of Pomifera Oil. All of Pomifera’s products deliver moisture, shine, and body because of this luxurious oil.

(What I like about the Pomifera oil is it does not become oily on my face and hands. My skin soaks it right up to leave it feeling moisturized. I even use it as a bedtime moisturizer. No oil marks on my pillow!)

It really is quite easy to do an At-Home Spa treatment. I choose at at-home spa treatment as I can do it more often or when I feel I need it. I keep my materials together, so it is an easy procedure. Sometimes just a pedicure, and sometimes both!

Spa time: Manicures and Pedicures:

An at-home manicure is really quite simple. And it feels so good after! I’m starting with a manicure as this happens more often than a pedicure. But truth: Pedicure should be first if you are doing both.

Wash and dry hands and nails.

Start with clean hands and nails. Wash your hands thoroughly. Remove any old nail polish with a acetone-free nail polish remover. Acetone can dry out your nails.
I recommend Pomifera Body Butter Cleansing Bar to cleanse your hands and nails.
Dry your hands thoroughly.

Pomifera Body Butter Cleansing Bar is a gentle and non-drying cleansing bar. It creates a rich and creamy lather. This lather leaves the skin clean and refreshed. Pomifera cleansing bar is infused with antioxidant-rich botanical oils to nourish and condition the skin. These oils also protect the skin’s natural moisture barrier. Pomifera cleansing bars are made in small batches. They are formulated with anti-aging Pomifera^™ oil. This oil is a potent source of antioxidants, omega-6, and other bioactives.

The next step is to Trim and Shape. You don’t want to trim and shape a soft nail. Soft nails will lend to peeling or cracking.
If you are removing a lot of nail to make the nails similar, cut the sides first. Then, snip the middle to shape them up.
If you are refining your shape, a simple filing will do. Glass files are the least likely to leave a jagged edge to your nail. Emery boards should be new and unused.

To shape the nails: file at a 45-degree angle. Move in the direction of your thumb in smooth, single strokes. Don’t go back and forth. Finish the nail with one stroke in the opposite direction from what you started with.

Going back and forth with an emery board actually weakens the nail edge and can lead to chipping or snags. (I recommend a clean/new emery board for manicures.) Always in one direction.

If you want square nails, carefully file the top. Shape the sides by gently filing upwards. For more rounded nails, follow the cure of your fingertips.

This is where I like to use an alcohol wipe to cleanse again, and detoxify. It removes filing shavings and cleanses at the same time.

Use a cuticle clipper to get rid of any hangnails.
Make certain your clipper is clean. You may want to rub with a cotton square dipped in alcohol.
( I really try to keep my manicure items clean as you don’t want to be rubbing bacteria or dirt into your nail bed.)

Soaking, cuticles and exfoliating:

Soak and exfoliate calluses and push back cuticles. Here again, you can use Pomifera Oil, this time for a cuticle oil.

After pushing back cuticles, Now is the time for a hand-soak. Let your hands feel the warmth of the water.

What is the best thing to soak your hands in? Suggestions:

Chamomile tea hand soak deeply hydrates:
- Two cups of brewed chamomile tea
- One tablespoon of honey
- A small bowl of warm water. Mix well.
Or try: Use milk + honey” for dry hands. Milk contains vitamin D, which is very good for your skin. It’s an anti-inflammatory and it also exfoliates. Honey is moisturizing as well as antibacterial.” DIY Milk and Honey Hand Soak: Mix 1 cup of warm milk with 2 tablespoons honey.
Rice water hand soak locks in moisture.
Rose water hand soak speeds healing.
Oatmeal and lavender soak soothes irritation.
Let them absorb the moisture. You are softening the skin to get ready for exfoliating. This makes it easier for your skin to shed dead cells and tissue.

After a bit of soaking, rub an exfoliator in and gently exfoliate your hands. You then will rinse off the exfoliator. You can use your facial exfoliator or a sugar scrub.

After exfoliating, massage your hands with a good moisturizer, paying attention to the cuticle area. (Remember your nail grows from the cuticle.)

I recommend: Pomifera Restore: Facial Exfoliant is formulated to gently exfoliate and improve skin texture. Walnut powder removes dead skin cells, preparing skin to better absorb nourishing ingredients, and reveals brighter, softer, more radiant skin. This face exfoliator is infused with antioxidant-rich Pomifera oil for added anti-aging benefits and works on your hands too!

Don’t forget to push back cuticles at this time, and to prepare the nail for painting.

If you plan to apply polish, remove any excess moisture from the nail with a small amount of rubbing alcohol. I like to do this before painting. I want to make certain that the nail area is bacteria free and dry.

At this time, I would place any nail utensil that you plan on using again, into some alcohol to sterilize. I let them soak until I’m all done. Then air dry and put away for next time. Throw out emery boards.

Buffing:

Lightly buff your nail surface to give them a natural shine. This can also help the nail polish adhere better.

Begin with the coarsest side of the buffer to remove rough patches. Next, use the medium side to smooth the nail surface. Finally, add shine with the softest side.

Move the buffer horizontally across the nail, to help smooth any roughness. Use the soft edge of the buffer. Polish any creases in your nail bed. Polish where the sides of the nail meet your skin.

Your hands should be clean and soft and you are ready to paint.

Nourishing time for your hands:

If you want natural nails, this is the time to shine with a nourishing serum. (Again, I recommend Pomifera Complete Moisturizer and Anti-Aging Serum.) Apply oil and massage into the nail. Your nails will absorb this nourishing oil. I also use this on my toe nails. Use the oil only if you are not Painting! Use the Oil only on hands if painting.

Pomifera anti-aging serum/oil is a potent source of antioxidants, omega-6, and bio-actives. It has been clinically tested to improve the appearance of age spots on your face. It also helps reduce deep and emerging wrinkles and fine lines of your face. This serum uses Pomifera oil and essential oils. These oils deliver impressive results. They come from simple ingredients that are kind to your skin and the planet. This lightweight serum can be used on its own to soften, smooth, and hydrate. You can also incorporate it into any of your existing routines to help you glow your best.

I have chosen Pomifera as my line of moisturizing for my hands. I drop oil onto my knuckles and in between the fingers. I really like how it feels. It works. Your hands are important. Use a good product line for not only your face, but your hands and body too. I rub the oil into my knees.

Nail Polish Time for your fingernails.

First a base coat. I prefer Orly base coat as it wears very well. (Orly started with being one of the few to be formaldehyde-free. Remember formaldehyde can soften the nail bed significantly over time. Not good.) Orly base coat can also be used as a top coat.

Once you are ready for your main colored nail polish, dip and wipe the sides of the brush. Do this on the inside of the bottle neck. This will prevent drips. This way you also have better control where the nail polish goes.

Paint nails in three strokes. Start at the cuticle. Brush up once in the middle. Once on the right side. Once on the left side. Any more and your polish will become bumpy or too thick.
Apply one coat.
Allow to dry.
Apply second coat. I try to paint the edges of my fingernails. It helps to prevent chipping.
Finally the top coat. Orly has a base/top coat. Dab extra top coat at the edge of the nail where chips can occur. The top coat will seal the nail polish and prevent chipping. It will also help the polish last longer.
Always, always use a base coat (so nail doesn’t absorb the polish) and a top coat (to seal the polish and last longer)

Enjoy! Your hands will love the pampering, and you will love the feeling!

For fingernails I would change my polish about every 10 days. Do it at a time when you can allow the nail to breathe without a sealing base/top coat. This is when I use the Pomifera oil and rub into the nail and cuticle and let it absorb. Your nails will shine!

Do you want a pedicure? It is suggested to start with a pedicure first and then do the manicure.

I chose to talk manicure first as most people apply nail polish more often on our fingernails than the toe-nails.

However, if I was doing both, I would start with the Pedicure first. Then the hands. You want your toe-nail polish nice and set before putting socks and/or shoes on. And who wants to mess up fingernail polish when polishing your toes?

I love a pedicure. I do one often. I do it often even in the winter. I try not to paint my toe nails in the winter. Who sees my toes? I cleanse and moisturize with showering. Let your nails recover from the nail polish/sealers. Let your nails breathe in the winter.

Pamper yourself. You are important.

Time to pamper our feet and toe nails.

As you did before with hands, start with clean feet.

Remove any old nail polish. Try not to aggressively scrub. Let the nail polish remover set a bit, and then gently wipe off.
Cut: File: and Buff.
This is important to do before soaking your feet. Just as with your fingernails, the nails will soften in warm water. They become difficult to shape when wet or damp. If you trim when damp, you can cause more damage and tears. The nail will not cut smoothly.
Clip with clean nail clippers. (wipe with alcohol) Clip to length desired. I choose to cut short. It is up to you on length.
Then file the edges so they are smooth. A coarse nail file works.
Buff the nail as you did with you manicure. This smooths out the nail bed.
Last in the pedicure is the foot soak.

Now is the time for a good foot soak!

Gather your “chill time” favorites as this should take a while.
Wash your feet good! Be certain to get in between your toes.
Using a foot soak is so nice! (Great Christmas gift!) Some foot spas even massage your feet! Add 1/2 a cup of Epsom salts and sit for about thirty-to-forty-five minutes.

Take the time to relax. Enjoy that cup of tea. Sip the wine? Read a book. Disconnect from your phone. Enjoy the soak.

Cuticles can be a problem even for your feet. Massage a cuticle oil (Pomifera works great!) into the nail. Leave it soak in a bit. Push back the cuticle, gently with a cuticle pusher. Scrape any dead skin off the top of the nail.

Your feet love exfoliation too! A sugar scrub or a special foot scrub can work. Use something a bit more coarse than you would for your face. Scrub your entire leg including your knee cap. (Remember you can use Pomifera Exfoliant for face and legs and feet!)

Health benefits from a pedicure?

A good foot soak and massage can improve blood circulation and lower your blood pressure. It encourages better sleep and reduces feelings of anxiety and depression. It boosts energy levels and improves immune performance. It can reduce edema in pregnancy and speed recovery in foot injuries.

At home foot massage! You can do this to yourself!

Massage your feet while they are warm. Reflexology is the belief that putting pressure on certain areas of your feet can heal ailments elsewhere in your body. I do know it feels great!

With holidays: The foot massage of choice is for Anxiety: Curl your toes. Look for the depression just below the ball of your foot. Place the pad of your thumb in this depression. Hold on to the top of you foot with the other hand. Massage the area in small circles. Alternate this with holding the area firmly and pressing down.

To address low back pain, focus on your arches of the feet. Concentrate on the pressure points in your arches. Use a few drops of oil or lotion for lubrication. Moving from the heel to the toes, alternate moving your thumbs in a series of short strokes. You can press in with your thumbs. Then, “cat walk” along the arch like a cat making its bed.

Doesn’t hurt to try! I know your feet will feel good after.

Time to Break out the foot stone:

With softened skin, now is the time to use a foot stone. Work the soles of the feet and cracked heels. Focus on any area where there is rough skin.

Be careful not to be too zealous. You don’t want to make your heels sore. Gently break down the callused and dead skin to leave a healthy texture behind. Be good to your feet.

You may want to keep that foot stone in your shower to use weekly. Even in the winter, your heels can dry out. Don’t wait until they are Very rough. Always moisturize after.

Moisturizing is the best! Slather generous amounts of soothing moisturizing cream onto your feet and legs. Some recommend wrapping your leg and feet with Saran Wrap. This locks in moisture. It ensures your feet stay soft longer after you finish your pedicure. (You can leave the wrap on for a couple hours, or even overnight.) Once time is up, unwrap your feet and legs and massage extra cream into the skin.

Toe Painting Time!

Do you have a favorite color? Do you paint for the season? Whatever you choose, as you did with your fingernails, apply a Base Coat first.

Then two coats of color.

Finish with a Top Coat. Just as you did for your fingernails. The base coat protects the nail from absorbing the paint. The top coat seals the color and helps prevent chipping.

Be certain to let the nail polish dry completely before putting on socks or shoes, or slipping into bed.

Holiday De-stressing:

With the stress of the holiday season, take time out for yourself. Include your daughter or sister if you want. Make it a special part of the holiday season. You will be surprised at how calm you can feel after a good manicure and pedicure.

Holidays can have special moments. And sometimes those moments can be taking time for yourself. Teach your daughter or your sister or best friend, to take care of themselves too. Happy memories!

I know you will be happy if you did this!

Happy Holidays! Hugs! Mary.

https://wellness.maryjessen.com

References:

https://www.medicinenet.com/10_surprising_health_benefits_of_foot_spa/article.htm

https://voesh.com/blogs/news/the-power-of-pampering-6-health-benefits-of-regular-manicures-pedicures

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/beauty/a32176386/at-home-manicure

https://www.wikihow.life/Give-Yourself-a-Pedicure-Using-Salon-Techniques

↑https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/beauty/nails/a28170147/how-to-do-a-pedicure-tips/

↑https://www.elle.com/beauty/makeup-skin-care/tips/a28092/how-to-get-great-feet-at-home/

https://www.paulaschoice.com/expert-advice/skincare-advice/body-care/how-to-give-yourself-a-manicure-at-home.html

https://www.wikihow.life/Give-Yourself-a-Pedicure-Using-Salon-Techniques#aiinfo