The sun is blazing hot outside and only one thing can save you from the sweat dripping down your back – the beach! Frequenting the beach during the summer with bare feet is awesome but it can also leave them feeling gross. Don’t neglect your precious footsies. Here are seven easy steps to keep your feet looking fresh and a-list pedicured.

Step one: Wash and dry feet
Make sure you wash your feet thoroughly with soap and warm water. Scrub off all that dirt and sand. Try a soap with exfoliating salt/sand in it to rub off dry skin. Scholl has a peeling cream in their “Foot Care” collection that is great for this. (Note: Pat feet with a towel after washing and allow to completely air dry before applying Scholl’s peeling cream; it is rinsed off after application.)

Step two: File feet and nails
Start out by filing down your toenails until they are all a good and even length. Then use a foot file to file the bottom of your feet. File carefully on areas that are dry and hard. Heels and the area on and around your big toe are often dry because these areas are exposed to most pressure. Scholl has a great Smoothing Foot File that will remedy the worst dryness and make your feet butter soft--it has a soft grip and a curved design for easy reach.

Step three: Clean toes
Use the tip of a metal nail file to pick out any dirt under your toenails. A manicure/pedicure-kit is great for taking care of your toenails. It includes all necessary tools and can often be found cheaply at dollar stores. However instantly toss out the cuticle trimmer, as cutting cuticles can lead to infection and (in the case of one friend) nasty nail fungus.

Step four: Nail polish, coat one
Choose a nail polish you like. Bright colors are a good choice for sunny summer days. If you have foam toe-dividers, use them to separate your toes when applying nail polish, this will keep it from smudging as it dries. If you don’t have toe-dividers you can use small cotton balls. Place them between your. Apply one coat of nail polish to each toe, starting with a stripe running down the center and then working outward.

Step five: Nail polish, finishing touches
Once the first layer is completely dry, add a second coat of nail polish to your toes. Let the second layer dry completely and then add a clear layer of polish. This will add a glossy finish as well as to protect the underlying layers of polish--it’s what makes your polish to last.

Step six: Moisturizing
Finally, add a good lotion to your feet leaving them soft, nicely moisturized and smelling wonderful. Scholl (again to the rescue!) has a great Foot Cream Mousse that is perfect for this and their “Foot Therapy” collection includes a Deep Moisturising Cream, great for sore feet. But your heels are cracked? Well Scholl’s has a cream for that too.

Step seven: Clean Those Flip Flops
As a final step, wash off your rubber flip flops to prevent dirt from digging itself right back into your feet and spoiling your Fashtastic new pedi!

Invest in a cool pair of flip flops
My favorite flip flops are from an online company titled Cool Flip Flops.com. Their flip flops are by far the best my feet have ever experienced. Inexpensive, great quality (mine have lasted me two rough summers!) and so comfortable you'd think you were walking on two little clouds. Visit CoolFlipFlops.com today to purchase your own heavenly pair!

 
Above; Brazilian flip flops by Dupé sold at CoolFlipFlops.com