Posts with tag pedicure

In a report released last week, the YWCA said that women and girls are way too worried about being beautiful. For example, more than 80 percent of the women polled said they were unhappy with their appearance. And our obsession with looking good isn't only costing us our happiness–it's costing us money.

Among the make-you-think statistics the report included was this tidbit: if women put the average $50 that monthly manicures and pedicures cost into a retirement account once a year, they'd save almost $10,000 in a decade. Shocking number, yes. (Personally, I'd rather give up my three-day-a-week Starbucks habit, though. It would save me about the same amount). I'm curious: which $50-a-month beauty fix could you go without for ten years...if the reward was ten grand?

While we don't condone the wearing of flip-flops all the time, we definitely understand that there are times when nothing else will do. Going for a pedicure is certainly one of those times, as is hitting the beach, or heading to the gym to do some barefoot yoga. Those toes want to be free, and a stylish open-toe wedge just isn't going to cut it.

Women will do a lot of things to have fabulous feet, but a new pedicure is available in Washington, D.C., that might make you squirm -- the fish pedicure.

Perhaps it's because we had a babysitter who accidentally gave herself hairy feet by shaving them (we know that's impossible, but at eight years old it seemed plausible, plus you should have seen her feet, they were hobbit hairy!) but we get freaked out by hairy toes.

We've read magazine articles about pedicure places where they have toe waxing on the menu, but we've never seen it in real life, nor had the nerve to request at any of our local mani-pedi spots. Not that we need to. Ahem.

When you're planning a trip to the beach, what all do you need? Of course, you've got to pack a beach towel, a sexy bathing suit, a beach cover-up, a floppy hat, fabulous sunglasses, loads of sunscreen, a book or gossip mag, and ... a pedicure! You can't slide into your flip-flops without gorgeous toes, can you?

Here at StyleDash, we have some specific ideas about the colors that should be worn at the beach. We're fans of this year's popular dark shades, and we also like French pedicures as well as soft, pale colors. However, when you're digging your toes in the sand, there's only one way to go with your toenail polis -- bright!

Whether you prefer pink, red, coral, or something else, you can definitely find a bright version of your favorite. We've got some of our favorites, but we want to know -- what color do you wear when you hit the beach?

Admit it, when Paula Abdul had to wear a sling and have surgery -- and lost her thumbnail! -- because of her wacky nail salon fungus problem, you were scared.

We all were.

Here at StyleDash, we are firm believers in the freedom to wear whatever colors suit your personal style. And, we definitely don't think finger and toenails need to be painted the same shades. Often we opt for a darker hue on our toes than on our hands, and that is for a couple of reasons:

For one, fingernail polish chips more quickly than polish on our toes, so painting our fingernails with something dark or bright all the time just isn't practical. Additionally, dark colors on our fingernails a dark or bright color attracts a lot of attention, which is fine sometimes, but not as desirable other times.

Happy summer! Finally the sandal season we've been talking about is here. We were so excited until Stylist reminded us that sandals are equal opportunity footwear. Yes, we're talking about Mandals.

We have mixed emotions about Mandals. Well, not exactly mixed, more like pure horror and apprehension.

Men aren't what you'd call "active" when it comes to foot care. Ragged, discolored toe nails, broad, hairy feet, oddly fish-like toes that haven't seen the sun since forever...there is much to fear when it comes to men and strappy shoes.

What's the solution? Do we want men jockeying for the next spa chair at the nail salon? Or should they just cover up those glass cutters like nature and Doc Marten intended? Why do so many celebs seem interested in wearing mandals?

A little visual jazz on your fingers and toes can go a long way toward driving away the blues and beating the doldrums. It's cheaper than doing drugs, and also not illegal. And it can be such a creative outlet! From glitterly gold stickers to 3-D ceramic flowers you can even get a photo transfered on to your nails!

We recommend avoiding something like the screw in handcuff nail dangle pictured here (just $14.99!) if you have a court date. On the other hand, if you're feeling a little stuck in a rut this brightness at your fingertips is sure to cheer you up.

When it comes time to get all dolled up, don't be selfish -- pamper your pup, too! Giving your furry friend a pedicure might get you some funny looks at the dog park, but come on -- you know it's adorable.

We have color promiscuity. As soon as we have our nails done one color, we see a newer, prettier color and suffer an irresistible urge to trade up.

More than once, we've been halfway through a pedicure, and an OPI ad in Self Magazine made us scramble out of the chair to grab a different, new more exciting color.

We've known girls who had a natural talent for painting their nails. They could do left and right hands and feet with equal ease -- a French manicure was no challenge for them. And they never ended up with nail polish all over their digits.

We were not so lucky.

When you shop for nail polish, are you a brand snob? Do you hit the cosmetic counters to purchase a $20 bottle, or are you more likely to scour the aisles of the local drugstore for a fabulous bargain polish?

We have an array of polishes -- some cheap, some a bit pricier -- and we truly believe they each have their strengths. Some of the pricier polishes have better staying power -- they don't fade or chip. However, some of our drugstore cheapy polishes are quick-dry, so when we're in a rush, there's no better option.

Having a fresh a manicure or pedicure is a shiny, wonderous time. It is also a danger filled period, where the threat of smudges, smears and outright polish ruination loom heavy over your every movement.

Fortunately we can give you six tips to can help reduce the risk of a mani-pedi disaster.

1. Let them dry! Spend at least 20 minutes doing nothing, not digging in your wallet for tip money, not driving, and definitely not tucking a kid into a car seat! It's worth paying the babysitter for another half hour.

Okay so the best thing about an at home pedi is the fact that it is A) free and B) you don't have some stranger touching your embarrassing, unshaved legs. You might also be surprised how relaxing it is doing it yourself. Let's check it out.