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Photo courtesy of Donja Pitsch / Trunk Archive

Ask Jean: Appealing Feet?

Ask Jean

We want to answer your most pressing questions—or, you know, just the things that you’re curious about. Please keep them coming to: [email protected] Below, a q for our beauty director, Jean Godfrey-June.

Dear Jean, I hate my feet. Especially at this time of year. I’m embarrassed to go to a salon. I feel judged, and I’m afraid of the cheese-grater razor tools they use. Can I get them into shape on my own?—Marie F.

Dear Marie, First of all, I know your feet as not as problematic as you think they are. In my experience, all (well, most) people think their feet are unusually repellent; they cannot all be correct. Second, I feel you on the judgement and the terrifying knives. Fortunately, in the case of a rough foot—as with many things—love triumphs over violence.

Scraping and over-scrubbing and burning (with acids) appeals to our Calvinist/no-pain-no-gain cultural heritage, not to mention our desire for a quick fix, but the result can be a pile of dead skin and some wounds that need healing; the latter invariably callus over, leaving you in the same place you started.

Instead, the slightly-slower but surer bet: A massage every day—and especially every night—with a rich, ultra-hydrating, clean cream packed with superpowered botanicals. Love your feet, don’t hate them. This one from Lavido smells faintly of herbs and flowers (the tendency with foot cream is a hyper-peppermint blast that for me, discourages rather than entices), sinks in like magic, and treats even the roughest skin with shea butter, jojoba oil, and avocado oil. Side benefit: Subtle concentrations of distilled myrtle and tea tree oil fight odors and keep your feet cleaner, longer.

Just foot cream, really?! Do it for a week and not only will your feet be smoother, happier, and even prettier, you yourself will be happier, too. It’s a habit more-than-worth establishing: Your feet definitely don’t get smoother by themselves, especially as you get older. And your need for a sensory moment of self-care certainly doesn’t diminish, either. The Lavido is the best combination of super-moisturizing and sink-in-ability out there, it feels and smells fantastic, and the tube could not be easier and nicer-looking. A little goes a long way, too.

*If you want to go full extra, first dissolve a packet of Pursoma foot bath in hot water in a large, beautiful bowl and soak for 20 minutes. That alone will completely change how your feet feel—and indeed your entire being—for the rest of the day. Then do a bit of sugar scrub from Beautycounter; rinse off in the Pursoma water. Dry vigorously with a towel, and finish with a Lavido massage. Along with a supremely relaxing moment of bliss, you’ll get some mild exfoliation in the bargain.