Mavex CalluspeelingⓇ Pedicure at Claire Beauty Basics

Someone once said 'your hands and feet never take a day off, so take care of them'. I say truer words have never been spoken and thus, I always try to have them both looking perfect. Today we are going to talk specifically about feet and a Mavex Calluspeel pedicure I had done at Claire Beauty Basics. 

This was my first time hearing of the treatment so of course, I was really eager to have it done! I treat my feet to regular pedicures, however, the Mavex CalluspeelingⓇ promises something else - callus and hard skin peeling in just 15 minutes. Too good to be true? Read on to see the results for yourselves!

Let me introduce you to the brand first. Mavex is a Swiss brand that manufactures products and treatments that are free from parabens, formaldehyde, mineral oil, and paraffin. They are formulated with a synergistic complex of plant extracts from alpine herbs and plants such as Gentian, Blueberry, Spruce Fir.

The Mavex CalluspeelingⓇ is an excellent treatment to complement a traditional pedicure in a professional setting, thus it cannot be done by yourself at home. It consists of 4 patches soaked in a peeling solution, that are applied to the soles of the feet (2 on each foot) and left to act for 15 minutes before dead skin is scraped off and filed away. You'd be really amazed at what comes out but what is more amazing is how soft my feet felt immediately after the treatment. The results are seen immediately after the first treatment and no blades, drills or harsh tools are used - just a scraper and a regular foot file!

My feet with the treatment patches, wrapped in cellophane to help the treatment go further into the skin and prevent the patches from falling.

Left, BEFORE - My feet had small superficial cracks and dry skin. The bottom right picture is the dry skin that fell off when the patches were removed.
Right, AFTER - My feet are free from dry skin and they look much nicer and softer. The top right picture is the scraper with all the dead skin and treatment remnants.

To further extend the effect of the Mavex CalluspeelingⓇ, the Mavex Foot Cream is an exceptional accompaniment and while it helps care for the feet, like I said, it also serves as an at-home care and maintenance of the CalluspeelingⓇ results in preventing the formation of calluses and cracks. I found this cream especially useful while travelling last week as we did a lot of walking and its refreshing effect was very welcome at the end of the day. I also use it at home before I go to bed to care for my feet after a long day. 

Your feet should not only look good in summer, so go ahead and contact Claire on her Facebook page and book your pampering session. All safety protocols are in place at Claire Beauty Basics and all treatments offered are of the highest standard with high-quality products.

Review | Mont Bleu Foot Scraper File

A couple of weeks ago, I introduced you to Mont Bleu glass nail files and they are pretty much everything I use to keep my nails flawlessly in shape. Today, I will showcase another product I was sent by the company, the Foot Scraper File.

I was sent the Cyan Blue coloured foot file and I was pleased to see it came with it's own plastic sleeve. Moreover, you would be happy to know that these Czech tempered glass files come with a lifetime guarantee on abrasive surface.

The difference between a traditional nail file and a foot file is immediately noticeable - the latter is much thicker and harsher to enable it to file away the hard skin we usually get on our feet, especially the heels.

I have been using this foot file consistently for the past few weeks and I can attest that I have seen a dramatic improvement in the way the skin on my heels looks and feels. It took a few uses to really get rid of the harder layers of skin but I guarantee it is worth the effort! I prefer to use it dry rather than wet as I can see exactly where I'm missing.

I like how the skin on my feet has improved over time and for just €16, I personally think they are money well spent.

Mont Bleu glass files can also be found on Amazon.

PR Sample

Review: Revlon Cuticle Moisture Oil 985

In this post I will be reviewing one amazing product...Revlon Cuticle Moisture Oil 985.

It is only recently that I started using a cuticle oil because I thought that just massaging hand cream into the cuticles will keep them soft. The hand cream did keep them soft but it did not however provide the nutrients a cuticle needs to perform its function effectively i.e. protecting the nail. Another factor that kept me from purchasing a cuticle oil is the fact that I don't have dry cuticles.

So, you may ask, how come did I start using it? And the answer to that is simply...I had to buy it for a course I was attending since we were having a manicure/pedicure practical and it was included in the list of this we needed!

After I've used the oil for a couple of times, I noticed that my nails grew much longer and stronger. At this point I was thinking how could I have not used such a product for a long time??? Anyway, let's see how the product looks...

The picture shows how the product is presented. It looks like a clear nail varnish except that it is more fluid, doesn't smell and evaporates quickly after massaging into the cuticle.

The applicator is also identical to that of a nail polish and it makes it easier to apply the product without messing up your manicure. However, there are various other applicators and formulations such as roll-ons and creams depending on the state of your cuticles and also the method you are most comfortable working with.

As I said earlier, I found the product really works wonders and I definitely give it my thumbs up and I swear I will never ever be caught without it ;P

Finally here is a picture of where to apply the oil:

I hope you enjoyed this review and in the meantime stay beautiful :)

Lara xoxo

Manicure and Pedicure Procedure

Following my Full Skin Care Routine, here I am giving a detailed procedure to carry out an at home manicure and pedicure whenever your hands and feet need a pick-me up. Personally, I do a manicure once a week and a pedicure twice a week.

Manicure

1. Sanitize your hands with antiseptic gel/wipes/spray.

2. Remove your old nail polish and asses your nails to decide the shape and if they require a special treatment (ex. rub a slice of lemon to remove nail polish stains; immerse nails in olive oil for 10 minutes to strengthen them; etc...). It is best if you use an acetone-free nail polish remover since acetone tends to excessively dry the nails of their natural oils and hence weaken them.

3. File the nails in the desired shape. You can get an idea of different nail shapes from the picture below:

4. Immerse one hand in a bowl filled with warm water for 5 minutes. This will soften the hands on your skin and prepare them for the treatments to follow. You can add 3 drops of your favourite essential oil or bubble bath.

5. Dry your hand and repeat step 4 for the other hand. (There is no need to add more essential oil/bubble bath).

6. Push the cuticles back with an orange stick or wooden/stainless steel cuticle pusher. DO NOT CUT YOUR CUTICLES. They are there to protect the nails from bacterial and fungal infections.

7. Apply a hand/body scrub all over the palms and inner arms. Rinse off with warm water after 5 minutes.

8. Using your favourite hand cream or body lotion as a massage medium, massage your hands for 10 minutes to relax the muscles.

9. Wipe nails with some acetone-free nail polish remover to remove lotion residues since these will not permit the nail polish to adhere to the nail.

10. Apply one coat of base coat. There is a variety of base coats to suit all types of nail conditions, for example, ridge fillers, nail strengtheners and hardeners and clear base coats. Choose one which suits your nails the most.

11. Apply two coats of your desired nail varnish. Allow drying time in between coats.

12. If you are ready from painting your nails, doing nail art, etc..., apply one coat of a glossy, glittery or matte top coat (which ever you please) to protect your manicure and make it last longer.

13. Finish off by applying some cuticle oil to the cuticles and massage it until it is absorbed.

Pedicure

1. Perform steps 1 & 2 as for a manicure.

3. Immerse feet in a basin with warm water to soften them and the nails to make it easier to trim them. Take them out and dry them after about 5 minutes.

4. Trim the nails straight across to prevent ingrown toe-nails.

5. Do steps 6 - 13 as for a manicure but ***remember to use toe separators when applying polish to prevent smudging***

Also, you can use a foot rasp or pumice stone to remove hard skin after applying the scrub and before the body lotion. If you have treatment creams like for example a callus reducer, apply it before going to bed after washing your feet, put on a pair of old socks and sleep in them... by morning your feet will be baby-soft!

The right tools for the job!

Here is a list of the basic things you will need to do an at-home manicure and pedicure:

- Antiseptic spray/gel/wipes

- Nail files (not the steel ones as these are too harsh for natural nails)

- Acetone-free nail polish remover

- Bowl/basin

- Bubble bath/essential oils

- Cuticle pushers

- Hand scrub

- Hand cream

- Foot rasp/pumice stone

- Cotton discs/balls/buds

- Toe separators

- Base coat

- Nail polishes

- Top coat

- Cuticle oil

And here is a picture of some of my tools (nail art brushes and stamping image plates are also included as well as other gems and decorations):