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| Above: My at-home pedicure essentials…Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse, Le Metier de Beaute polish in Cocoa Me Crazy and Josie Maran Argan Oil. |
The weather has been getting warm in Southern California and, after months of shrouding my feet in socks and boots, I was inspired to freshen up my toes with a DYI pedicure! Judging by the nominal amount of posts devoted to nail lacquer on this blog, one could easily ascertain that I am not a polish blogger…I keep my fingernails clean (they remain strong that way!) and do my toes every couple of weeks, almost always with a nude polish. Scroll on for images and product descriptions…
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| Above: I think I will be ready to replenish my bottle later on this spring! |
The first step in my at-home (or “in-backyard,” should I say) pedicure is a healthy does of Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse. Upon a vigorous pumice scrub and nail cutting (I’ll spare your delicate eyes the sordid details), I use this oil to provide much needed moisture to my “three-inch heels on regular basis” much- maligned feet. I have written about this oil before (the full article can be found HERE); its delectable scent and healthy sheen are unprecedented and, as the summer approaches full force, I’ll be using this all over my body for hydration, glow and that intoxicating fragrance.
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| Above: The travel size has lasted me almost a year! |
Next comes the
Josie Maran Argan Oil…I picked up this tiny travel size while answering the calls of the Sirens that sing in the checkout aisles at Sephora…those little bins of diminutive and attractively-priced products that you don’t need but can’t help but touch and ultimately buy because you are given just enough time to rationalize the purchase…”
Oh, you are ready for me at the register? I guess I will just have to take this small bottle I’ve been holding and pondering with me and buy it with everything else because that bin I took it from is now four feet behind me!” Am I the only one with this illness?
At any rate, the oil itself is quite nice and, unlike other whim products that I’ve bought and returned (or never touched again), I actually use this fairly regularly. Upon filing and buffing my nails, it hydrates my cuticles and brings life to my nails…everything this oil touches is ameliorated. I even like putting a generous amount on my feet before bed and then covering them in old socks to incubate the moisture overnight…brilliant!
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| Above: Cocoa Me Crazy is amongst my top three favorite nude polishes. |
Finally, the polish…in this case, Le Metier de Beaute’s
Cocoa Me Crazy, which is neither cocoa nor crazy, but it is decidedly beautiful. The lacquer is described as a “
vanilla bean creme with cocoa specks,” which is fairly close to my assessment of the shade.
I would call it a creamy, pale taupe gray and, despite the minion of nude polishes I currently own, I have nothing exactly like it!
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| Above: Cocoa Me Crazy retails for $18. |
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| Above: The opacity from this polish is remarkable! |
The polish provides excellent, smooth coverage after one coat and achieves full opacity in the second coat. It resists wear and chipping and lasts for nearly two weeks before needing a touch up. Clean, sophisticated and low maintenance…what’s not to love?
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| Above: My freshly done toes, resplendent in the springtime sunshine. |
Bottom Line: The entire pedicure process takes me about 20 minutes and lasts almost two weeks…I would deem the time investment worthwhile, indeed! I prefer having clean, neat, nude toe nails and healthy feet and the three products I’ve mentioned in this post help me to effortlessly achieve this objective.
What are some of your go-to nail products?
Comments (22)
This was super interesting! I own the Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse but never thought to use it on my feet! Such a great idea! And I love a nude pedi. Classic! Great post!
Thank you, Annick! I don't usually do nail posts but am really glad that you liked it ; ) The Nuxe is amazing on my feet…let me know what you think when you try it!
Have a lovely week…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Awesome diy! You've inspired me. Love the nude and I too prefer short squared toe nails like yours. Thanks so much for the idea. I appreciate the nail post and never tire of your foundation reviews. Have a spring-like week! Xo
Thank you, Lynn! I am honored that anything I could write in the realm of nails would be inspiring ; ) More foundation reviews around the corner!!
Hope you have a lovely weekend…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
I've got to try all of those oils. They look so good. I've got very pale feet and worry that the color will not look good on my toes. I usually wear Essie's Geraniium.
Hi Sandra!
The fantastic thing about oils is that they can be used for so many purposes (e.g., feet, body, hair etc.)…I love them! Geranium is such a gorgeous bright color…sounds like you've found your favorite ; )
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
This was a really Fun post! Now I'm pining for the Nuxe! (I'm a sucker for fragrance), and these oils look like what my toe-sys could use! The feet have been cocooned away in sock/shoes all winter (after the bunion surgery) and can use a dose of pampering. Thank you for this. LOVED the cute tub for the photos. Now to pull out that Argan sample that's under the sink…..
Hugs, Susan
Thank you dear Susan! You must try the Nuxe…I suspect you will adore it! Bunion surgery…I have heard that can be very painful! How are you holding up? Are you able to wear any shoes you want now? Pamper away!! I got the tub at a bed and breakfast while on vacation a couple of summers ago…at the time, I had no idea what I would do with it, but it has come in handy, indeed!
Hope your week has been wonderful…enjoy the weekend and talk soon! xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
I'm all healed up (surgery was early November). It's the second foot, so I'm an old hand at it. I'll never be able to get out of my crappy athletic shoes because of crappy feet (I'm foundered, if I was a horse). Metatarsalgia, Morton's Neuromas, phooey! I hate falling apart.
I hope Spring is being beautiful in your neck of the woods. BTW, you and hubby are both gorgeous. There is no plain-ness in your entire family! I would just hang around and stare at everyone and all your products in admiration LOL!
Hugs, Susan
Good to hear, Susan! I am impressed that you had both feet done since it can be such an intense recovery process and am so happy that you are on the other side of this process now!
Spring has definitely arrived in Southern CA…how is the weather on the island? Thank you for your sweet sweet words about my husband and family…their hearts are even more lovely than their visages, which makes them definite blessings.
I hope your weekend is going well…I went to church and am now working on the blog before the week ahead gets crazy ; )
xoxo and talk soon,
–The Beauty Professor
Thank you for a great post! I love reading your blog! ? I sometimes use Baby Foot, it's an exfoliation for your feet.
Hi Sofie,
My pleasure! I am so glad that you are a devoted reader…thank you! I need to check into this Baby Foot you mention…sounds intriguing!
Take care and xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Ooohh, Nuxe for pedicures, yet another use for my beloved dry oil! Such a fun topic, dear Professor!
Yes! I cannot get over how useful this oil is! Have you tried the shimmery version yet? I have not, but I feel like it might be on the horizon for summer! Thanks for your sweet words!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
It's not quite sandal weather yet here in New England, but I can't wait to do a spring pedi! I typically go for bright colors, but I love the nude pedi you did!
Hi Amber,
Thanks for stopping by! Yes, it seems like it takes the Eastern part of the country a bit longer to catch up to the rest of us in the warm department, however, you have those lovely four seasons we envy ; ) Your spring pedicure will be here before you know it!
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
What a gorgeous color! And the mini tub to showcase what you use is too cute! Still waiting for more Spring like temps to show up to stay here in the Midwest! That said – I feel 'undressed' without my toes painted. I keep them done year round. It's one of those little things that I do just for me in the Winter!
I will have to give the Josie Maran a try on my cuticles. I like it for the ends of my hair as a pre-shampoo treatment & a couple of drops on my face after my serum.
And you've peaked my interest in trying some more Nuxe products. I have only tried the Reve de Miel and love it!
Hello Love2Read68 (I happen to love to read as well!),
Thanks! I know what you mean about feeling undressed without your toes painted…I feel quite the same way, although I don't get meticulous until sandal weather ; ) I actually haven't used the Josie Maran on my hair yet and will have to give that a try!
The Reve de Miel is a long time favorite…I go crazy for anything with honey!!!
Hope your week is going well…xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Beauty Professor-
I know from a previous post that you also like Dior's Safari Beige for a nude toe. What color also makes your top three?
Jennifer O.
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for the question! Yes, I still adore Dior's Safari Beige (I am on my third bottle) as well…my third shade is a great drugstore option: Sally Hansen's Cafe Au Lait.
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor
Thanks! It's nice to be able to save a little money here and there so that it's easier to spring for the big purchases like LMdB Peau Vierge that you rave about. I plan to get a bottle as soon as I finish the Hourglass Veil SPF Primer that I'm using now.
Jennifer O.
Absolutely!!! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Peau Vierge…I also really like the Hourglass Veil (my second favorite primer!).
xoxo,
–The Beauty Professor