You’ve spent eight hours a day on your feet in the office. You’ve shopped endless hours for the perfect holiday gifts. You’ve chased the kids and the dog and now, for the moment, your time is yours. Treat your tired feet and legs to a mint pedicure that will soothe and refresh.

Mint has amazing revitalizing effects. Traditional Chinese medicine has long used mint oil to treat joint pain, sprains and inflammation due to mint’s ability to cool the skin. Today, mint oil is being touted for its pain-relieving potential in chronic conditions such as nerve damage and arthritis. And, when combined with heat, mint penetrates deep to rejuvenate tired muscles and skin. A minty pedicure is the perfect cure for stressed feet that spend the winter in wool socks and boots.

During your pedicure be sure to breathe deep. Mint clears nasal passages and invigorates the senses. This makes for clearer thinking and more restful sleep, so tomorrow you’ll not only have a bounce in your newly pedicured feet, but a sharper mind too. So fill your drink, pop in a movie or grab a good book and settle in for a little pampering.

Here’s what you need:

·    A home foot spa or basin of very warm water

·    A soft towel

·    Mint fizz tablets (for feet)

·    Mint scrub

·    Mint lotion

·    Foot file and brush or loofah

·    Nail clippers and/or your pedicure kit

·    Your favorite nail polish

Now you’re ready! Fill your spa or basin with very warm water to the tops of your ankles. Add 2-3 mint fizz tablets and soak your feet for 15 glorious minutes to soften the soles. If you have more time, enjoy the tingling massage as long as your water stays warm. If you’re using a home spa, be sure to utilize all the massage and water jet settings to maximize your soak. Next, massage a generous amount of mint scrub onto wet feet, paying attention to rough soles and dry patches. Look for pumice scrubs with apricot seed powder, apricot, eucalyptus and peppermint oils, and rosemary and willow bark extracts. Rinse feet and pat dry. If necessary, use the foot file, brush or loofah to smooth any remaining rough areas. (Use caution if you’ve soaked longer than 15 minutes when using the pumice, foot file, brush or loofah.) Finish with mint lotion on feet and legs. Look for lotions with peppermint and eucalyptus oils and willow bark and rosemary leaf extracts. (For a quick afternoon boost, lightly apply minty lotion on bare skin or over sheer stockings.) Complete your pedicure with manicured and polished nails to leave your feet looking as good as they feel.

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