Pedi-Frenzy

The summer heat calls for the airy allure of tank tops, flip-flops and bikinis. These skin-bearing garments, makes summer beauty from head-to-toe a must. When it comes to looking hot in the summer heat, there’s no better place to start than from the ground up with the perfect summer pedicure.

We’re all familiar with the traditional pedicure: a massaging chair, a hot, bubbling tub to soak your feet, sugar scrub, a hot towel wrap, lotion, a leg massage, some paint, polish and vuala. While the traditional pedicure can bring relaxation and the beautiful toes we desire, sometimes a little more indulgence is desired. Thus, the need to explore the many types of pedis and determine the perfect one for you.

In my quest to discover the perfect summer pedicure, I set out to explore the different types of pedicures the valley has to offer. My journey began at Suddenly Slimmer at 32^nd Street and Indian School with the Hot Stone Pedicure.

Toted "Best Spa For Hot Stone Pedicure in Phoenix/Scottsdale Arizona,” the stone pedicure includes the usual hot, bubble bath along with an exfoliation scrub, a foot masque, paraffin dip, reflexology, topped off with a warm stone massage.

Hot stone therapy has been used for thousands of years to manipulate soft tissue and muscle through pressure to relieve pain and reduce stress. Adding the hot stone therapy to a pedicure, provides some much need relief to the constant tension we put on our feet.

The $125, hour-long treatment is well worth it, providing much-need stress-relief, relaxation and beautiful toes to boot.

My next stop on my search for sweet summer pedicures, took me to Dolce Salon & Spa for their Mio Piedi Dolce or my sweet feet pedicure.

This sweet-themed pedicure, adds an extra element to indulgence as the Mio Piedi Dolce utilize chocolate and coffee elixirs to create a tantalizing experience.

My pedicure-de-sweet, began with a warm coco dip. In addition to feeling great, coco and other chocolates have been shown to help reduce blood pressure, according to studies. Post-coco, I received a mocha body polish, which is comprised of a mix of ground coffee beans and chocolate. Coffee beans and chocolate have been known to increase circulation and energy. Next, I enjoyed a chocolate souffle masque along with a warm towel wrap. My sweet session concluded with a relaxing massage using Dolce’s Chocolate Almond Butter.

This hour-long, $70 treatment combines the indulgence of chocolate and relaxation for an overall delicious experience.

My next pedi-venture took me to Essence Day Spa in Peoria. In addition to the classic, hydrating and spa pedicures, Essence also offers monthly themed pedicures that include the Hawaiian, latte, honey oatmeal, lemongrass, paradise, pumpkin and peppermint. I enjoyed their June special, the Rainforest. The Rainforest begins with a eucalyptus soak, followed by a eucalyptus masque. Eucalyptus is known for its anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, antibacterial, stimulating, and other medicinal properties, according to organicfacts.net. Next, I was pampered with a sugar scrub, topped off with a massage with eucalyptus oil. This 60 minute, $60 pedicure is both relaxing and refreshing.

Through my journey to find the perfect pedicure, I guess you could say I failed to reach an end as each pedicure was perfect in its own way. From the sweet chocolate delight to the Hot Stone stimulation to the refreshing eucalyptus experience, each pedicure brought its own unique benefits to beautifying the toes and feet. These are just a few of the fabulous foot-pampering pedicures out there. So when it comes to find the perfect pedicure, don’t pigeonhole your pedi options, explore and enjoy the variety of pedicures that are out there.

Face the Facts: Tips for Fabulous Summer Skin

While the summer sun provides that highly-desired golden glow, it’s no secret that those bright-yellow rays aren’t so golden for our skin’s health.

While sunscreen remains a strong contender in our fight for fabulous and healthy skin, when it comes to an optimal beauty regime, facials, peels and exfoliation maybe be the key to winning the battle for beautiful skin.

Here’s a glimpse at some the summer’s hottest skin rejuvenation treatments.

Don’t Hate, Exfoliate:

Enzyme peels/treatments are topical treatments that exfoliate the skin and remove dead skin cells without any down time. The practically discomfort-less treatment takes less than 30 minutes and involves an enzyme peel staying on the skin for eight to 10 minutes. The best part of this treatment? “There is no downtime, clients just need to stay out of the sun immediately after treatment,” says Phoenix Aesthetician Kari Dana.

Another exfoliation treatment is microdermabrasion. Microdermabraison is manual exfoliation where tiny crystals remove dead skin cells from the face while a suction captures the removed cells. The only post-microdermabrasion downtime would be the day of. Dana advises against workouts, tanning, hot-tubing or do anything that could raise your blood pressure. Microdermabrasion usually costs $100 to $150.

Timing in-between treatments varies. “If someone is doing treatments to for acne, hyperpigmentation or anti-aging, I tell them to come every two weeks,” says Dana. “If they are just looking for good exfoliation and extractions then they can space them out between four and eight weeks.”

Facial Expressions

Looking for a quick fix? Express facials include cleansing, exfoliating and extractions, take about 30 minutes and run $35 to $50. For further pampering, hour facials include extended versions of the services above along with relaxing neck massages and cost $70 to $90.

Peel Away Your Dirty Pores

When it comes to chemical peels, the old saying “pain equals beauty” may hold true. However, when it comes to chemical peels, it may be worth it as this treatment reduces wrinkles and can “peel back the years.”

According to Dana, the level of painfulness depends on the amount of peel layers placed on the skin. “When I do a peel, after each layer I put on, I ask the client where their discomfort is on a scale of one to 10, 10 being the most painful,” Dana says. “When they get to about five or six I stop.” Clients may experience skin sensitivity for an hour or so after a chemical peel.

The side effects of a chemical peel are more visible than most treatments. After about the third day, skin physically begins peeling. “Most of the time, the skin peels look like eraser shavings around the mouth and nose,” Dana says. “But, if you go deep enough, the skin can actually peel in sheets.” The peeling can last two to three days.

Dana stresses, “For any treatment, you should always avoid the sun!” Sun exposure can cause scaring or hyperpigmentation. “You should also avoid working out,” Dana says. “This causes you to sweat and potentially bring bacteria to your clean face.” Finally, Dana advises against using Retin-A products for about two weeks after a treatment as Retin-A is an exfoliating product and can irritate the skin.

So, yes you can enjoy the summer sun and a get that golden glow. Just don’t forget the sunscreen and remember the importance of reviving beauty regime.

Kari Dana is an a aesthetician at Salon Surreal in Phoenix, AZ. Salon Surreal is located at 7000 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85020 at 16th Street and Glendale Ave. To make an appointment with Kari contact Salon Surreal at 602.870.9190.