…Stephanie Gruelle of Steph’s Beauty Buzz! You may remember the recent interview I had with one of our fave cosmetic experts regarding fashion, makeup products, and a few new rules on what to keep in a mini-clutch!

As for the amazing gift exclusive that Denice (our foot rejuvenation connoisseur) arranged, the Beauty Chat crew chose Steph’s answer due to the great insight and tips she provided. (By the way, check out Steph’s collection of cosmetics…WOW.)

In response to this question:

“How do you keep your feet stylin’ and comfy at the same time?

Steph said:

“I admit, so many of the shoes I love are less than kind to feet. But rather than give up fashionable shoes, I’ve learned to pamper my feet in gratitude for the abuse I put them through. Regular pedicures are a must, and I always make sure to include a callus treatment to repair any damage I may have done. The pedicures are also a must for keeping those pesky ingrown toenails at bay. I also make sure to use an extra rich lotion on my footsies nightly.

Right now I’m loving “Breathe At Night - Intense Hydration Body Cream,” available at Bath and Body Works. Last but not least, I always use Band-Aid’s Blister Block to keep my feet from blistering, especially when wearing a great pointy toe shoe. I think in the end its a fair trade off: my feet look great, and with a little extra work they can still feel great too.”

Our Top 3 runner-ups were:

Terri D.: “I get by with a little help from my friends. Good shoes, good scrubbers and good doctors, my friends don’t let me down. Now with Yogatoes, I’ll need less friends around!”

Beth: “Since I am on my feet all day, I have to wear comfortable shoes. In the classroom, I wear my chic comfy Avon slippers with sequins. I save my ‘big girl’ shoes for when I have to leave the room and look professional. I’m a big fan of Clark mules. I have both black and brown suede.”

Gabi: “This is a perfect question for me as my first contest entry. I am a dancer and didn’t really start dancing until I was older. I never had the usual ballet as a girl. I am going to start ballet soon. I dance NIA, Modern, belly and African. Keeping my feet beautiful has sort of become an obsession for me. I’m a bit prone to obsessions anyway. I absolutely have to have my toes perfect. I have a pedi once a week and sometimes still touch them up.

Your question also touches on another obsession of mine and that is my shoe collection. I have over 50 pair of shoes and probably only 3 pair of flats. Since my toes are such an obsession I wear open toes whenever possible.This time of year that is more difficult however so this is my boot season. 15 pair of those in addition to my shoes. I also take yoga once a week by the way.”

Thanks you for entering Denice’s fabulous gift giveaway (she worked hard to bring you such refreshing products!) We gotta say that it was such a pleasure reading the responses to this question, and although the contest has ended, please feel free to respond with your own thoughts!

~ Elana

Product Images: www.spongeables.com and a PlasticSurgery.com photo of Denice wearing YogaToes from our very own Kevin!

Ever heard of Spongeables Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer and YogaToes? 

If you have, you know how fabulous they both are! If you haven’t, then now is the perfect time to enter a contest to win this duo gift package… for FREE!!

All you have to do is answer this question:

“How do you keep your feet stylin’ and comfy at the same time?”

THAT’S IT!!!!! We (the Beauty Chat team) will pick our favorite answer. Contest runs through November 30th, and you must enter through our homepage. (Just look to the right for the picture of the black Carlos Santana heels!)

Good luck friends! 

~ Denice

My feet can be a nightmare if I don’t get regular pedicures, and I have missed my last two!  They need some attention!!! So I decided to try the Spongeable 15+ Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer. I have to say that when I opened the package and the funny-looking star sponge stared back at me, I had to think: Will this really work? 

It fit in the palm of my hand, and smelled delightful! Infused with Citron Eucalyptus Aromatherapy (packed with olive oil for skin hydration, glycerin for gentle cleansing, shea butter for moisture and Vitamins A & E for healing antioxidants; to prevent premature aging and skin damage). It was a little slimy to the touch at first, but as soon as it got wet, it lathered up very nicely.

So here’s how I used it on my feet: I sat on the shower step and began to scrub my feet with the sponge.  It kind of tickled at first, but then it was nothing but pure pedi pleasure!  I buffed my foot with the scrubbing side and then rinsed.  Then I massaged my foot with the smooth gel-infused side.  It tingled and felt wonderful.  My only question while enjoying this fabulous product is: How do I store it?  For now, it is in my travel soap container.

After I was all done paying attention to my neglected feet, I gave them the ultimate test…The husband.  I had him rub my feet, which can be a chore if they look ragged. But after I took matters into my own hands and used the Spongeable 15+ Pedi Scrub Foot Buffer, he greatly obliged!  He was just as happy I was. 

The Spongelle Bodywash Infused Buffer (also shaped like a star), another heavenly cleansing product manufactured by Spongeables, also comes highly recommended. Elana, our Beauty Chat editor, swears by the Lilly of the Valley Green Tea Infusion scent. It is said to: exfoliate, purify, rejuvenate, and hydrate. She says it can also be used on the feet (nice!), which she does as part of her daily shower ritual. 

Got a favorite skincare product that dares to compare to the Spongeable 15+ Pedi-Scrub Foot Buffer or the Spongelle Bodywash Infused Buffer? Tell us all about it!

~ Denice

Product Images: www.spongeables.com and www.spongelle.com

The sensation of warm water running over your feet combined with the relaxing vibrations of a massaging chair…sounds intoxicating, right? Even better, you get your toenails painted to your desire. Want a cute little flower? How about some sparkling rhinestones? Done! And your fingernails? Don’t get me started! You can choose from length, color, design, and so much more.

Manicures and pedicures can provide the utmost relaxation, not to mention beautifully detailed fingers and sandal-ready feet. However, with the rise of nail care popularity, how do you know which beauty salon will provide you with the best service or the safest conditions?

Nail salons are popping up all over. If you live in the city, or even a moderately populated town, you probably know the location of several nail shops. While business is booming for these nail salons, clean service is sometimes exchanged for the number of clients they can serve. How many times have you entered a packed salon, where you should have been turned away, but instead they squeezed you in?

While you might like to think that your nail salon of choice is up to par on sanitation, you could be dangerously wrong. It’s as easy as cutting one’s nail (and oops! a little bit of their skin at the same time) and then using that same set of clippers, that haven’t been cleaned properly – or at all – on you. That action can spread several scary infections. 

Just think of the feet alone. Do you know how easily athlete’s foot can be caught? Not to mention warts, fungus, bacteria, and much more. According to ABC News, Kristina Preston of Colorado was awarded $3.1 million in 2002 after allegedly contracting herpes from non-sterile nail salon equipment that was used on her during a manicure. Although this is obviously an extreme example, and a rare one at that, it shows that it is possible for an infection to spread.

If you insist on getting a manicure or a pedicure, make sure that the beauty salon is clean! Nail care sure looks, and usually feels, great. Sometimes it’s just not worth sacrificing pain for beauty. Take notice of where the utensils are kept; check to see if the person helping you has his or her license displayed. 

If the manicurist or pedicurist is too rough with the tools used on your hands or nails, tell them!

There is nothing wrong with making regular trips to the salon, just remember: make certain you are in a sanitary setting, and if you ever feel uncomfortable in a nail salon, you are not obligated to employ their services.

~ Leeann