Interview with Diane Magazine sold at Curves gyms

1) Why is spring the perfect time to start fresh with your manicure and pedicure routine?

Spring is always a welcome after the tough winter season. Winter days have fewer hours of sunlight, require layers of clothing to keep warm, and calls for shoveling and defrosting the car before we can drive it. Spring is a time to jump out and embrace the sunshine, longer days and playful activities that go along with it. The birds chirping and the aroma of fresh cut grass and flowers blooming – such a glorious time! And certainly hands and feet are more exposed; so they must look perfectly groomed.

2) What's the best way to get your hands and feet back in pretty shape after the winter?

• Manicures and pedicures are a must. I suggest manicures every 7 to 10 days and pedicures every 14 – 21 days.
• Paraffin wax treatments are a great way to quickly get your skin and cuticles soft and submerged with hydration.
• Use cuticle oil daily to hydrate cuticles.
• Before you go to bed massage your hands and feet with lotion. Try mixing some lavender drops in with the lotion for aromatherapy - it’s stimulating & antiseptic. Don’t forget the area around your ankles. This is a commonly forgotten area and looks “cracked” if it’s dry.
• Sleep with thin cotton socks to retain the moisture in your feet; or thin cotton gloves for your hands
• Make sure you are taking vitamins that will help your hair, skin and nails rejuvenate

3) Why is it important to take special care of the skin on your hands and feet?

Everyone’s looking! There are so many fabulous sandals to wear this season and there is nothing worse than great shoes with un-groomed feet. It’s like unruly brows with great makeup; stained teeth with a pretty smile – it goes hand-in-hand. And it makes you feel good. Looking at beautiful hands and feet is pleasing to the eye. Also, manicures and pedicures are very relaxing. So why not treat yourself.
4) How should women go about picking the right colors of polish for them?

Depending on your hair, eye and skin color you should pick either light, medium or deep tones.

For light blond, very light eyes – pick pastel, light shades of color
For blond, light to medium red to light brown/grey hair with hazel, brown, blue or green eyes – pick medium shades of color; not too light and not too dark.
For dark brown, silver grey/white with hazel, brown, blue or green eyes – pick deeper colors with a higher contrast to your skin tone.

5) Any tips on how to break women out of polish-color ruts they may find themselves in? (like always wearing the same shade of pale pink and being afraid of trying something new)

Try a new “spin” on a color. If you always wear pink, try a pink with some gold or white shimmer, or even some soft glitter. Texture can be fun too. Or try something funkier on your toes - bright fuchsia pink with your pale pink on your fingers.
Or try colors that are similar in value; a pale peach.

6) What are the most exciting color trends for spring?
Either pastel pink, orange or coral; or bright pink. All of the colors are dusted with white; pastels. So think fleshy pink and peach. Also, the new black nail trend from the fall has turned into a brilliant navy with a slight silver sheen…it looks great on toes!

7) How should women combine polish colors for their hands and their feet?
If you have a neutral fresh manicure or pale white or pink on your hands, you can do anything on your toes.

If you have a color on your hands, such as red, coral or pink, it’s nice to compliment it on your feet too. Generally, I would match the same color or go with a deeper shade of the color on the toes. For example, a peach on your hands combined with a brighter orange or rust on your toes. Depth is better below (on the toes).

8) Any other hints/tips about manis, pedis, polish I haven't asked about that you'd like to share?

To keep your manicure looking fresh, buy a bottle of the nail enamel. Every other morning, apply a little to the tips of the nails where it first fades away. Apply a thin coat of Nailtique or clear polish. It keeps your manicure looking as if it did on the first day
Always carry the Cuticle Oil Pen…it will surely save you! Apply it to toes and hands that do not look as freshly done in one quick stroke. It conditions the nails, makes cuticles look soft and makes the polish shiny. An instant quick-fix!