It Is Not a Luxury - A Pedicure

Once every two weeks, I treat myself to something I once considered a total indulgence but am now convinced is a survival necessity. My pedicure. My toes seem to anticipate the pampering and know when it is time for another trip to the salon. It all started with a Christmas gift several years ago, now a habit.

My old toes had never been “done,” so I was a little nervous. Arriving at the salon, I was ushered back to a special chair. Not just any chair, mind you, but a spa chair designed to make your entire pedicure experience relaxing. I slipped my feet into a specially designed tub and enjoyed the warm, swirling water. I set my chair control to pulse and settled in for my pedicure.

After my toes had a chance to soak, the real work began. Each toe was carefully cleaned, clipped, and buffed. Calluses were removed, rough spots smoothed, and my feet began to look a little less “used."

The final challenge was selecting my “shade.” You cannot imagine how many shades of red and pink there are until you have to choose one! The very brave may choose another color or sparkles. Once a decision was made, my toenails were carefully painted; they were ready for the drying machine.

 Big Guy sometimes joins me. Seems like his toes get further and further away from his hands, and he needs a little help keeping his feet in good shape. For those who are new to this delightful necessity, or are thinking about giving it a try, here are a few tips.

Make an appointment. Don't take a chance on getting a walk-in appointment. Anticipation is part of the fun. Ask around and find a salon and pedicurist who come highly recommended.

Dress for the occasion. Wear open-toed shoes or sandals. Avoid long pants that cannot be rolled up comfortably.

Allow plenty of time. Plan on about an hour. You don't want to rush the experience. Take a good book, your latest magazine, or your iPhone. This is your time, so enjoy it.

Be patient when drying. Your nails need time to dry before you put your shoes back on. Carefully ease your toes into your sandals, being careful not to scrape that beautiful new polish. Remember, the polish may take another hour or more to dry completely.

Remember your pedicurist. A tip of 15–20 percent is customary, and a little extra is always appreciated for excellent service.

My first visit may have been a luxurious gift, but today I consider my pedicure an important part of my personal maintenance program, much like an oil change for my car.