Beauty: The rough and the smooth of perfect feet

WHEN it comes to summer beauty, always put your best foot forward.

A baby-soft and pristine pedicured foot, that is. After all, why waste precious pounds splurging on those new platform wedges or gladiator flats when all you have to show them off with are dry, cracked heels, yellow nails and chipped nail varnish? Attractive that is not. And let's face it, after a winter of being bundled up in socks and boots, some serious TLC for your feet is long overdue.

So take advice from the beauty experts and get the foundations right. A salon pedicure is always worth the investment and they don't come much better than those available in Edinburgh, including the luxury Chamomile Spa on Alva Street, Odyssey Boutique on William Street and Pure in Ocean Terminal, to name but a few.

But if you can't afford an appointment with the experts then do the groundwork at home.

First up are good tools - a quality foot file and pumice stone will save time and effort, leaving you smooth and rejuvenated more quickly.

Try Scholl's Dual Action Foot File (5.10), Boots Gorgeous Feet Fantastic Foot File (3.99),Sanctury Spa Intensive Foot File (6.50), Ms Pedicure Natural Pumice Stone (4.99, Boots) or EcoTools Pumice Stone (3.99).

Prepare hard skin for the big slough by soaking feet in warm water with bath salts before using a foot exfoliator to get rid of dead skin. Try Champneys Spa Foot Scrub (6),Boots Luxury Invigorating Foot Scrub (3.29) or Elizabeth ArdenGreen Tea Revitalising Foot Scrub (16).Follow this with a foot file for extra exfoliation.

The key to healthy feet is hydration. But don't assume you can use your body lotion - the skin on our feet is thicker than anywhere else, making it harder for moisturiser to penetrate. Invest in a good foot cream and for added penetration, moisturise with an overnight rescue cream and pop your feet into cotton socks when you go to bed.Try CCS Foot Care Cream (7.14), Eucerin Dry Skin Intensive Foot Cream (10.82), Clarins Foot Beauty Cream (16) or Botanics Overnight Foot Rescue (3.94).

Now it's time for the finishing touches. A file and polish will ensure top results but prepare the nails with a cuticle oil to moisturise and push back cuticles with an orangewood stick to create a open area ready for polish.

Only when the foot is completely dry, cut long toenails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails, and finish with a file for a smooth finish. Apply a basecoat to the toenails to avoid staining followed by the colour of your choice. For long-lasting colour Rimmel, Max Factor, Este Lauder and Nails Inc do it best.