Pampering Yourself on a Budget: Affordable Ways to Treat Your Hands and Feet

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Everybody needs a break once in a while, especially in today’s fast paced world? 

But come on, let’s be realistic here: who wouldn’t love getting their nails done but salon visits can really burn a hole through our pockets. 

However, I am glad to report that you don’t have to part with a lot of cash for hands and feet to get the attention they deserve. 

In fact, with a little creativity and some affordable products, you can create a luxurious at-home spa experience without breaking the bank.

I am here to present you with pieces of advice on how to achieve a beauty treatment on a budget to keep your hands and feet looking good

Why Self-Care Matters

Well let me tell you something, as far as I am concerned when my hands and feet are in a good condition I am in a good condition as well. 

I know we all like our skin to be smooth, well moisturized and our nails to be well polished to increase our confidence. 

Also, a simple break for a hand wash or foot bath even if it is for 15 minutes can really help in improving one’s mood and health. 

It’s all about those little blessings in life which keeps us going and feeling fresh and regaining our strength.

So, let’s dive into some affordable ways to treat your hands and feet at home!

At-Home Hand Care: Nourishment Without the Price Tag

People start aging shows in their hand since most of the time they are exposed to the sun and are most sensitive to climatic changes. 

That is why, it is good to make some extra efforts to pamper them. 

Here’s how I pamper my hands on a budget:

DIY Exfoliating Scrub

Who does not love a good hand scrub? 

It is so simple to make one at home using the following ingredients. 

My go-to recipe? 

All that is required is that you mix sugar with a little olive oil. 

The sugar scrubs the skin and removes the layers of the dead skin cells and the olive oil on the other hand moisturizes the skin. 

You can as well include a few drops of your favorite oil for that extra pamper— for example lavender is great for relaxation.

Usually I do this once or twice a week. 

I scruff it on my hands in a circular motion for like a minute or two before I wash it with warm water.

My hands always feel silky smooth afterward!

Cuticle Care

Cuticle care is arguably one of the simplest methods of making your hands look neat and well maintained and this does not have to be expensive. 

There’s really no need to use expensive cuticle oils. 

All you need is coconut oil which I find to be very effective and cheap. 

I apply a small amount of coconut oil to my cuticles at night.

Oh it’s so moisturizing, and you will wake up with nails that look healthy and well taken care of.

If your cuticles are overgrown you can just push them back with a stick or just the end of a clean toothbrush after you have showered. 

It’s a simple, but very effective step!

Moisturizing Magic

Dry hands? 

Not on my watch! 

My weapon of choice is a good, thick and highly moisturizing hand cream. 

Thus instead of buying costly creams and lotions, I prefer using some natural products such as shea or cocoa butter. 

They’re incredibly cheap and great for your skin as they provide the best hydration. 

Sometimes, I prefer to put on cotton gloves, so the skin can absorb the lotion well and then leave it on during the night. 

Honestly, the next morning – you’ll wake up with baby-soft hands.

It is okay if you do not have cotton gloves, you can simply use a spare sock and wear it as hand covers. 

This is all about trying to find all the ways on how you can creatively utilize what is available.

DIY Manicure

Why go spend lots of money at the salon and get your nails done when you can do it at home? 

To begin with, wash and clean your hands then start by cutting and filing your nails. 

For the polish, never think that drug store nail polish brands are inferior to the superior brands because they are not. 

First, use a base coat to protect your nails then use two coats of your preferred color. 

End with a top coat polish for extra shine!

There you have it! 

You’ve got nails that look like they were done at a salon, but at a much lower cost.

Foot Care: Treating Your Feet Like Royalty (Without the Royal Budget)

That’s right; our feet are a hardworking part of our body and sometimes they need a little love and care too. 

Here is how I keep mine looking and feeling good without spending a fortune.

Soothing Foot Soak

Perhaps no other activity is as refreshing as a foot bath especially when you have had a busy day. 

And the best part? 

The list is actually very simple and inexpensive to accomplish all from the comfort of your home. 

No fancy equipment or tools are required. 

All you need is a basin and warm water. 

Sometimes I add epsom salts which are excellent for people with tired muscles and especially for people with rough skin. 

Calluses can also be softened with baking soda.

If I want the room to feel more like a spa, I will drop a few essential oil drops in the water.

Peppermint oil is cooling and perfect when you have tired feet. 

I immerse my feet in water for about 15- 20 minutes then dry it up and apply some moisturizer.

Exfoliation for Soft Soles

Then comes the process of scrubbing which should be done after your feet have been soaked. 

But if you don’t have a foot file or a pumice stone, that is not a problem! 

For the foot scrub you can also make one from scratch just like the one used for the hands. 

I prefer to put sugar on coconut oil and then exfoliate the heel of my feet and other parts that seem to be very dry and dead. 

But if you want to make a deeper exfoliation, you can use a foot mask. 

You can buy one from a drugstore for a considerably lesser price or you can even make a natural one at home by simply mashing a banana along with two spoons of honey. 

After putting on the mask on your feet, let it remain for about 10 minutes before washing it off. 

Your feet will become smooth like a baby’s butt!

Moisturizing Feet Overnight

Thus, the best way that I have used to make my feet soft is applying some amount of cream and then covering them with socks at night. 

This tends to lock the moisture in. 

For this as well, petroleum jelly or coconut oil is great, and as you recall, fairly cheap. 

You don’t need to apply a high end foot cream for you to notice that your feet are softer now. 

You can go even further, which I love to do at times, rubbing the lotion over your feet gently while massaging the feet.

I found it very useful especially in those days when you are stressed due to work or other activities. 

This helps to relieve tension on your feet.

DIY Pedicure

I find it necessary to do my pedicure at home, especially because the salon ones are likely to cost a large amount of money. 

Following the process of soaking and exfoliating I cut and sort out my toenails. 

They should be trimmed to a straight line so that they do not develop an ingrown toenail. 

Toenails I also paint with nail polish I buy in a drugstore just the same way as with my manicure. 

As for the final touch I’d prefer something flashy and not so serious because sometimes you just have to add some color to your life! 

It is now ready when you apply the final coat, and that is all.

Final Thoughts: You Deserve It!

Let me state it clearly: taking care of yourself is not about how much money you spend, it’s all about protecting and nurturing yourself in some small ways. 

It is true that your hands and feet are extremities that work hard for you without asking for anything in return and maybe it is time we pamper them. 

The best thing is, you do not have to over extend your budget to make them feel great.

In a short while and with a few low-cost items, you can create a relaxing, rejuvenating experience right in your own home.

Well then, go ahead, treat yourself. 

You deserve it!

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Author
Lindsey is a professional nail and make up artist, specializing in special occasion nails and make up. She is based in Utah, US and owns a small beauty salon with her business partner. She loves writing about the art and craft of nail artistry and is excited about discovering new nail trends.

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