Beauty: Best foot forward

Mecca Barefoot Beauty. Photo / Babiche Martens

Unless you're a fetishist, chances are you'd rather your feet just kept on walking without drawing too much attention to themselves. But look closely and you'll find they're begging for some TLC. By this time of year, a combination of being barefoot and struggling into strappy sandals takes its toll. The solution isn't to don knee-high boots just yet.

A professional pedicure - that's one that really works to slough off and smooth dried skin and treats your cuticles rather than just paints your nails - is one treatment that gives an immediate, satisfying result. If you're troubled by bunions and deep-seated calluses you'll need to head to the podiatrist. But for feet that are just a little overworked, DIY can work wonders.

1 QVS Glass Pedicure File, $9.99

Soften your feet with a good soak first, then grind away, rinse and finish with a soothing cream. You can hang this silicon-handled file in the shower as a memory prompt to get sanding. It's a pale minty green and has a shaped side and a durable glass-file surface.
From QVS stands in department stores and pharmacies.

2 Revitanail Nail Lacquer in Coral Cascade and Cashmere Latte $21.90 each

This fast-dry formula in a zingy coral orange lasted two weeks without any sign of chips after an excellent pedicure at Spa Auckland and it only needed to come off because I wanted to try the elegant rosy nude shade. From 12 shades, there will surely be something for most toes, plus the polish and other nailcare products from this Australian company are top-notch.
From pharmacies and department stores.

3 The Body Shop Peppermint Purifying Foot Mask $28

I've bought The Body Shop's Peppermint Cooling Foot Lotion ($24) for years. If you've tramped around all day it really does soothe and relax. If I'm travelling I take a mini bottle in my luggage and it lasts for ages. Now the range has been expanded to include this Purifying Foot Mask ($28). It's not something I'd bother using regularly, though it did make me massage and rest my feet. For that, though, I prefer the Pumice Foot Scrub ($18) and the Reviving Foot Soak ($28). The Cooling Foot Spray ($18) is handy for a quick freshen up, but my favourite in the range remains the trusty old foot lotion.

NB: The Body Shop stocks a good pedicure set ($30) in a mesh bag containing a foot roller, moisture socks for overnight treatment, a toe separator and a foot file.
From The Body Shop.

4 O.P.I Feet Callus Therapy $44.50

Worth using before you take to your feet with a good file. Apply daily to built-up dried skin, and to soothe cracks. With its shea butter and fruit extracts, this pleasant smelling cream has a softening effect.
From O.P.I salons. Ph 0800 144 562 for your nearest stockist.

* O.P.I's adventurous nail polishes are more widely available, check out Farmers and Life pharmacies, but the specialist care range is worth seeking out from salons and includes an excellent touch-up pen.

5 Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Revitalize Warming Hand and Foot Scrub $35

Refreshing and light, this is a change of fragrance from that of many foot products and contains naturally exfoliant walnut extracts. Rub it in and rinse it off in the shower. There's also a companion Hand and Foot Therapy lotion made from the same antioxidant-rich green tea.
From Elizabeth Arden counters.

6 Mecca Barefoot Beauty Polishing Foot Scrub $50

Sea salt is the key ingredient in this pricey but very effective scrub, which contains softening shea butter and glycerin and has a light citrus-fresh fragrance.
From Mecca Cosmetica, Ponsonby Rd, www.meccacosmetica.co.nz.

7 Must Love Paris Nail Scissors Curved $12.99

These gold-plated stainless steel trimmers are a change from the more usual surgical-looking silver. The gently curved edge makes cutting nails easier, though if yours are seriously solid, you may need clippers.
From pharmacies and department stores.