ÁMEZING NEWS #15: FOOT FETISH 101 (HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR FEET)
Ergonomic meets erotic!
ÁMEZING FEET!
A lot of people are weird about feet! They just don’t like ‘em. They don’t like seeing them or touching them, let alone smelling them…which in some cases, is more than understandable. But in general, our cultural stigma against feet and the people who REALLY love them keeps most of us from properly caring for our own.
Inspired by the suggestion one lovely reader shared with us last month, I grilled Andrea about everything FOOT CARE for this month’s issue. The result is this stunning package, filled with tips to keep your feet healthy, hot, and happy.
- Tierney Finster
ÁMEZING ADVICE
I can still hear my grandmother saying “Start taking care of your feet when you’re young, or else it will lead to problems when you're older.” A fairly simple statement, but I totally dismissed it. With a little bit of age on me and some years of working as an esthetician / bodyworker, I understand what my grandmother meant now. If we think about how miraculous our feet are – our literal grounding to the earth and the anchor of our bodies – it's a shame we tend to forget about them. It really is like, holy shit, our hands and feet are literally such powerhouses.
For years, I didn't really think about foot care. Then I got some tattoos on my feet and started to care for them a bit more, even applying SPF on the tops of my feet during summer (since I’m a constant toes out and tats out kind of shoe person).
The skin on the feet has a thicker stratum corneum than other parts in the body, designed for high pressure and constant friction. Even if you care for your feet like crazy, the skin on your heels is designed to be thicker than other areas of your epidermis. This means the skin on the bottom of your feet is especially prone to calluses and corn formations. Especially as we age! The goal is to avoid xerosis, which is clinically dry or excessively cracked skin.
A little care goes a long way to ensure not only happy feet but a healthy body!
Lather up!
Take whatever body oil and body butter you have, mix them up, and moisturize those feet! This is the easiest, simplest concoction one can do. At the bare minimum, get in the habit of this!
Also, this might be a Latinx cultural thing, but a very common cold remedy in my family was applying Vicks VapoRub on the bottom of your feet with socks. I would roll my eyes as a kid, thought it was weird, refused to do it…but whatever the science of that is, it definitely has moisturizing and ache-relief properties.
Plus, applying ingredients topically to be absorbed transdermally by the feet is a common wellness practice. Magnesium sprays and oils for the feet are especially popular on social media right now (magnesium is an electrolyte that supports the brain, heart, muscles, skin and regulates other electrolyte levels in the body, among many other functions). According to one clinical study, “It is claimed that the transdermal absorption of magnesium in comparison to oral application is more effective due to better absorption and fewer side effects as it bypasses the gastrointestinal tract.” If you want to try these products, they’re available at most health food stores and pharmacies. I suggest Ancient Minerals (they have a sensitive skin version as well) or Magnesium-ease by the Nue Co for soothing and muscle recovery. You can also look for other body care products with active ingredients (Tierney likes NEOM Organics Real Luxury Magnesium Body Butter).
Speaking of transdermally, you can always start with your favorite CBD product and a pair of socks! Mine is the RELIEF CBD SALVE by BLNCD Naturals. It’s full of organic botanicals, with a minty and herbal scent and buttery texture.
Exfoliate!
Baby Foot is an at home foot mask treatment that literally make your foot skin peel off. The drama of the process itself was enough to get me to find it. I purchased the product at a Japanese market in Torrance (they had a very cool beauty section) and knew the outcome was going to be interesting.
I posted on my instagram the videos, the images, the process….. my heel skin… actually… falling OFF. And not that anyone asked, I received totally mixed reviews. Some of you begged me to stop sharing and did not want to see anything of the sort.
Then there were my people <the sickos> who wanted every detail of the process.
It was iconic.
I would recommend it to anyone for extra foot love. The combination of acids in this product are great for those who are prone to dry cracked skin, or for those who wear open toe-shoes mostly (like yours truly).
Tierney recommends scheduling a pedicure about a week after you Baby Foot to finish off the grooming and polish! Even if you’re someone who pays extra for callus removal at the salon, Baby Foot works wonders far beyond what those treatments can usually do. Baby Foot contains the same kinds of acids you might use to chemically exfoliate your face (just at higher concentrations!), so you can think of it as the AHA toner to your St. Ive’s Scrub (which in this analogy, I guess would be a pumice stone!)
Kayla Shaw, an esthetician based in Chicago, brought our attention to the brand Prequel, which offers a Foot Rescue Restorative Treatment that looks great. Described as “a concentrated foot ointment formulated with 15% pure urea, salicylic acid, malic acid and petrolatum that exfoliates, softens and hydrates dry, rough and cracked feet.” They even sell cute Moisturizing Gel Socks to use with it! Shop these and other favorite foot products on my ShopMyShelf. (And book with Kayla if you’re in Chicago! bbkayesthetics@gmail.com)
Of course, you don’t need to buy anything new to slough the dead skin off of your feet. Use your favorite body polish or scrub and go to town. Even if it’s a product designed for use on your face using it on your feet should work out just fine.
And if the idea of getting too handsy with your dead skin grosses you out, brands like Patchology make hydrating foot masks that will soften you up without stripping. Their Rose Toes Foot Mask contains shea butter, strawberry oil, and resveratrol to repair and renew feet. Plus, they still come in the disposable bootie format that makes Baby Foot so fun. Also on ShopMyShelf!
Apply arnica!
Look for an arnica gel or foot cream! You can use an ointment too, but I suggest he cream or gel for faster absorption).
When I worked retail, I would come home with swollen and sore feet. The lack of circulation from standing 8 hours a day became a regular feeling for me. It's such a specific kind of discomfort that it motivated me to do something about it. Arnica became my best friend.
After a nice shower or magnesium bath, take some arnica cream and massage into the heels and arches of the feet to say goodbye to soreness. There are a lot of arnica products but I like the one by Boiron.
Get an affordable foot massage!
We even have foot spas located all over the city if you’re looking for a quick treatment to alleviate any kind of discomfort you may be having in your feet. If you live in Northeast Los Angeles, I really like YOLO Foot Spa for an effective foot massage.
Soak your feet!
I have to admit that I’ve always thought foot baths were utterly pointless. When I think back to beauty school days, foot baths were a vital starting point for any treatment…ugh, BUT WHY? If we break it down, foot bath rituals date back to ancient bathing cultures across continents, so I guess I am just a hater, or at the time I was. I remember having to remove client’s socks and literally wash their feet, oy. It was awkward and intimate. Especially for a facial! And the silence, I’ll never forget the silence. There was something about the vibe that felt bizarre. I swore foot baths after that, NO CHANCE.
In all truths, I like the idea of foot baths. Foot baths are ancient, historical. and can really set the tone for a treatment or spa experience. The benefits are heat, pain relief, increased circulation, etc… So if you have a bath tub consider a foot bath with magnesium or epson salt, or even just some good old hot water.
Don’t have a bath, no problem! There are little portable foot baths (I kind of hate the look of them but oh well). I’ve had several pregnant clients who also mentioned how foot baths saved them during the third trimester. I like the idea of this Ancient Minerals Magnesium Footbath Kit!
ÁMEZING EXPERT: Tori Amoscato of Lark Acupuncture
Beyond topical foot care, I find the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective so critical when we think about our feet. Especially in terms of body circulation, mobility, movement and stimulation. Tori Amoscato is an acupuncturist who “focuses on tapping into the mind-body connection for better health.” She’s also a dancer and Pilates instructor, meaning her knowledge of foot care is very much ON POINT. We asked her about taking better care of our feet, and of course, her responses didn’t disappoint! Thank you Tori!
According to Tori, the best things you can do for your feet are preserve heat, support grounding and support circulation through mobility.
Warmth! Keeping feet warm over the colder months with socks that cover up to 3 or 4 inches above the ankle will help preserve your body’s warmth. This can support a balanced immune and digestive system (these are directly correlated!), menstrual cycle, even fertility.
Grounding! Allowing our feet to make contact with the earth for 10-30 minutes/day can support our circadian rhythms, reduce pain and stress, and support better sleep, among so many other benefits. If you don't have access to the ground, Epsom salt foot soaks can also provide similar benefits.
Mobility! Our feet have so many joints and they need to be moving. The connective tissue for our legs, pelvis and lower back attaches at the feet, and it follows that foot mobility supports our hips and spine. Two of my favorite recommendations are 1. Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs) for the ankles, which are specific, slow ankle rotations to build connective tissue and joint strength, and 2. Tune Up Fitness’s Tune Up+ ball for foot rolling. Check out their YouTube channel, especially this video. I teach some foot and leg rolling in my Practical Tension Release workshop series, too. It can be really valuable to work with a Pilates instructor familiar with rehabilitation to support foot mobility and strength.
Shoes! One more thing to consider is the width of your shoes, as compressive shoes create restriction and prevent circulation. I like a barefoot shoe like Vivo for walking, which allows the toes to relax and the feet to strengthen as you walk. And of course, an acupuncturist can help relieve restriction and pain after wearing a particularly tight or high pair!
ÁMEZING SHOES: COZY, CUTE PICKS
Ok! “Cozy, cute shoes” is not an oxymoron! Thank you to the reader who requested “comfy, cute shoe reccs!”
I have wide feet, which is something I’m kind of embarrassed about confessing. I actually really like my feet. And because I have so much real-estate there, I started getting tattoos on my feet when I was 17. Naturally, I feel like I predominantly wore open-toed shoes for like 12 years, until I started feeling the very ugly truth of heels that were totally destroying my lower back and my hamstrings (even my lil kitten tbh). That being said, these are some shoes that have really helped me feel my best (without sacrificing style, or at least not all the way!)
HOKA: The plushness of a HOKA sometimes just does the trick. I discovered HOKA for the first time on an REI run in 2016. I bought a pair thinking they would be my running shoes. I liked them so much that they became a day to day shoe for awhile. They were pretty ugly then so I was lowkey embarrassed but my feet were so happy!
ASICS: The most ergonomic sneaks I’ve had (even more so than HOKA) are these orthopedic Asics that were given to me by a stylist on set. Lucky me!! I’ve walked miles with them traveling and at Disneyland. The support is outstanding. I would describe them to be somewhere between plush and firm, and you guessed it, these are wide by design so they just work really well for me.
CAMPER: I love a heeled sandal, kitten heel sandal and really anything from CAMPER. Camper is my shoe language. Aesthetically interesting, Camper shoes are great for work or any event.
ÁMEZING POLISHES
Perfect paints for your next pedicure!
“The Whole Dewniverse” by Pleasing
A holographic bio-glitter and can be used alone or on top of another color. I adore it. I’m in a no-gel phase and am trying to just let my nails breathe as much as possible.
My favorite natural sheer pink!
That’s the end of the feet package! Now go put your best foot forward! And comment in any other feet questions / concerns at the end of this post!
IT’S 2/22!
Today’s date contains a potent angel number! In numerology, angel numbers have repetitious digits that impart special spiritual meanings. Enjoy this non-denominational, energetic blessing for the day!
HAPPY MANIFESTING!
“Angel Number 222 encourages you to take a balanced, harmonious and peaceful stance in all areas of your life. The message is to keep the faith and stand strong in your personal truths.
Angel Number 222 tells you that everything will turn out for the best in the long-term. Do not put your energies into negativity – be aware that all is being working out by spirit for the highest good of all involved.
Angel Number 222 is also reminding you to keep up the good work you are doing, as the evidence of your manifestations are coming to fruition.
Angel Number 222 is a message of faith and trust from your angels. Remember that nothing happens by chance and everything happens for a reason. Maintain a positive attitude and you will find that everything will have positive results and you will receive abundant blessings in Divine right timing.”
- Joanne Walmsley via ANGEL NUMBERS - Joanne Sacred Scribes
ÁMEZING UPDATES
My birthday is coming up! I’m a March 1st baby! I’ll have limited availability the first week of the month. Thank you for understanding!
In general, my studio is open Monday-Thursday and closed weekends. Email bookings@amezskin.com for appointments! I hope I see many of you very soon!
As for last month’s giveaway, if you commented in time, you will be receiving an email shortly requesting your shipping address. Thank you to everyone who shared such great ideas with us!
Love to you all! This newsletter is celebrating our ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY this month and we just hit our milestone of over 1,000 SUBSCRIBERS! Please keep reading, commenting, and sharing. We love making this with you!
🐾🦶🏽