Read -- and consider taking -- the open-toed shoe pledge. "Raise your big toes and repeat after me ... "
So goes the start of the open-toe shoe pledge, which you may have received via e-mail for the past several springs.
Among the rules, as a "member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood," is promising to "go polish-free or vow to keep the polish fresh, intact and chip-free."
It's a rule kept by Cindy Ellison, a shoe fan and apparent member of the CGS. Her summer collection of open-toe shoes is about 75 pairs. "I think it's probably more, but at least that doesn't sound too bad."
Wearing open-toe shoes, though, requires honoring the pledge. To help women do that, Ellison and others offered tips on maintaining open-toed-shoe-worthy pedicures between nail appointments.
"I make sure my feet look good all year around," said Mary Benes, another local shoe lover. "You just never know in the winter when you'll have to have your shoes off. You know, like in yoga or a Pilates class."
Maintain the toes Linda Clemons, a professional nail artist and master-instructor student at Clary Sage College in Tulsa, Okla., recommends people come in every three weeks for a couple of months until their feet are in proper shape. When their toes are in prime, healthy condition, customers can space it out to once every four or six weeks.
After a pedicure, avoid closed-toe shoes for at least two days, advised Nicole Brown, co-owner of J. Cole shoe boutique. Maintenance between pedicures is key. Between appointments, use a foot file on callouses and other rough areas around your heels, balls of your feet and big toes once a week to keep them soft. "It will make all the difference in the world," Clemmons said. You can also soak your feet, then scrub them with a nail brush, she added. Ellison prefers a combo pumice stone and brush. "I use the cheapo-depot store brand of apricot facial scrub on my feet about three times a week," she said. "Keeps them nice and smooth." She also uses a $5 tub of shea butter from Wal-Mart, rubbing it on her feet and ankles daily. "Totally keeps them from getting all rough and flaky, especially in winter." Courtney Wiles, a nail stylist at Salon Glo in Tulsa, suggested scrubbing your feet in the shower with a sanding block. She has one at the salon by SoftTouch (about $6). "They're really soft, no way you can take too much (skin) off," she said. "You need those callouses; they're there for a reason." About conditioning Be sure to moisturize, too. Benes' nail technician recommended Mane 'n Tail Hoofmaker Hand and Nail Therapy.
"Yes, they use it on horses, and you can buy it at Southern Agriculture," Benes said. It's about $16 for a 32-ounce container, "and you don't need much -- it's very absorbent." She's used it every night and has noticed a difference. Keep your nails conditioned with a cuticle conditioning oil, Clemmons said. And use creams instead of lotions -- something heavy that will stay on the skin longer. Ellison keeps her polish fresher by applying a clear coat every two or three days. Wiles suggested every other week or once a week. And Brown suggested doing a clear coat each time you take a shower or get your feet wet, as that will help the original coat from drying out. Also, ask your nail salon if they would use your own personal nail color, Brown said. "The main thing," Ellison advised, in parting, "is always wear cute shoes." So you're not a waitress ... Courtney Wiles isn't a fan of French pedicures. That works out well because her clients at Salon Glo are asking for bright nail polish, like pinks and corals. Polish guru China Glaze recently came out with its Kicks collection, Wile said, with colors including very bright pinks, blues, greens and turquoise. Pinks and corals are popular at Clary Sage College in Tulsa, according to nail artist Linda Clemmons. One of the most popular there is OPI's "I'm Not Really a Waitress," deep, frosted red.
