#bellasassy

Before You Put on Another Sandal ...

You Must Try Baby Foot

Summertime is upon us and that means it’s time for bare feet, and pedicures-- oh, and sandals-- you know if you’re into that sort of thing. Personally, I prefer to be barefoot as much as possible during the summer. This is why Baby Foot (my affiliate link) is quite possibly the best thing that could’ve happened to my feet.

It’s literally magic in two plastic booties. Although it takes about 5-10 days to really see progress. And by progress, I mean skin that peels like an anaconda. It’s literally a glycolic peel for your feet. Genius!

The process was really quite simple. First you soak your feet in warm water

Next, put on and secure the plastic booties that come in the kit. Get comfy with some wine and Netflix and rest your heels for about an hour. Not too much wine though, or you’ll fall asleep on the couch like I did for two solid hours (YIKES), and wake up terrified that your feet have melted off.

Finally, head back to the tub to completely rinse off the product (I used a mild soap after rinsing), and wait for the magic to happen. In my case that meant going to bed. Yay for sleep!

And then you wait. And you wait. And days later you start to wonder WTH is happening and say to your feet, skin, why you no peel?

I was so anxious the first few days; I couldn’t figure why it seemed to be taking so long for the shedding to start. I realized, you have to give the new skin time to regenerate below the surface of the old. And boy oh boy, once it started, my skin was flaking off day and night. Of course, I helped the process along, picking at and peeling off skin at every available opportunity. 

{Warning: not cute, but oddly fascinating picture below}

Much to my amusement, it was an Elmer’s glue lover’s childhood dream (yet way cooler-- flicking and leaving evidence of my DNA everywhere). Also, the box doesn’t mention this, but it was suggested to me to soak my feet nightly once the peeling commenced to help loosen the skin. I found myself looking forward to my nightly ritual of showering, grabbing a glass of vino, then soaking and peeling skin in my tub. However, towards the end of the process the peeling on the tops of my feet seemed to take forever to come off.

It didn’t help that my nails are pretty long so I couldn’t really get a grip on the thinner, top flaking skin, which of course annoyed me. Not to be deterred, every evening I went after the rogue skin with a washcloth. I didn’t want to use anything too abrasive that might’ve damaged the precious new skin underneath (which, no lie, was actually turning out to be baby soft). That worked okay. In the end I finally pretty much gave up and let nature do it’s thing. I let the rest slough off naturally. Also, you’re not supposed to use lotion during the process. That allegedly delays the regeneration process. This was a point that I had serious concerns about. Ashy and peeling feet was not something I was looking forward to. Luckily, my concerns were unfounded. There wasn’t a patch of ash in sight the whole time. In fact, my feet haven’t been very ashy ever since. Of course I’ve resumed moisturizing them. And they’re still pretty darn soft like a baby.

In all, I’d say it took a full two weeks for all of the dead skin to go away. That includes the 4-5 day incubation period before the shedding actually started.

Overall, I enjoyed the after effect of using Baby Foot (which they have NOT paid me to say-- I purchased and used the product on my own and you can too with my link here). However, I’m not a very patient person, so waiting it out for two weeks-- especially right around Memorial Day-- was probably not ideal. I would definitely use this product again, maybe once per season. Until then, I’ll be frolicking around in the grass with my flower crown and spreading the good word to those I think need it most. I know some guys who could DEFINITELY benefit from some baby love on those toes.

Leave a comment below. Have you or would you try a peel for your feet or some other exotic treatment like a fish pedicure?

“May all your blues be 

the ocean and the sky.”

We are strong believers in the power of flowers. And so was 11th century Persian physician Ibni-i-Sina (Avicenna), who spoke extensively on the amazing effects of roses. He likened their health benefits to today’s “mind-body” therapy. In fact, during the blooming season the ill were carried to and submerged in wells filled with rose pulp residue. (Micozzi)

So while everyone may not get (or even want) a bouquet of long stems for V-Day, there are a number of amazing rose-scented products that you can douse yourself in like they used to do back in Avicienna’s day (you know, without the hassle of getting hoisted into a rose well). AND— I’m pretty sure I read somewhere that Cleopatra seduced her lovers by bathing in rose-infused water. I figure if it worked for her, it can’t hurt. Plus, these products will surely last you much, much longer. One thing is clear, whether you’re single or hitched, the sweet smell of roses has the potential to brighten your day—and potentially your skin too. A double win.  

Hey Dolls…

::: Naturally Sassy: Detox Bath :::

I think we can all agree that extended winters are the suckiest. Especially when it becomes virtually impossible to leave the house. As a native California girl, I’m used to having sun-kissed skin all year-round. So, that pretty much makes me allergic to the cold. In order to cope, I developed what I like to call, Operation Sleeping Beauty (OSB), a weekly, nighttime skincare ritual that not only helps me sleep better, but it also leaves my skin looking supple and fresh like morning dew in the springtime. So until those wretched winter icicles melt away, here’s a breakdown of exactly what to do to create some OSB magic:

Step 1: Prep the tub

I start by lighting a few scented scented soy candles and drawing myself a lavender-rose detox bath using a few household staples plus oils I got from the health food store.

Bella Sassy

Bella Sassy: Dr. Bronners Liquid Soap-- A Product Review

There are really only two Dr. Bronner's liquid soaps that I use, the Hemp Rose and Hemp Almond. Both of these smell very pleasant, plus lather, cleanse and moisturize the body quite well. The product line is supposed to be 100% vegan, which I appreciate--however, a Ph balance strip test revealed that the alkaline content is extraordinarily high (for folks who care about that sort of thing). My lady parts did seem to care-- so I suggest that you use caution with this product in that region!