Winter is the best time of year to get toenails back into mint condition

If your toes, like mine, have been buried under nail polish for months, winter is the perfect time to take everything off and give your toes a breather. Head straight to your nearest pedicure station, sit back and relax while your toenails are stripped of polish, seriously trimmed, filed and then buffed with an electric buffing tool to remove any stains and ridges.

Don’t forget to lather your cuticles in cuticle oil after removing all your nail polish.

Then comes the fun stuff with some lush foot exfoliation (at home, try Butter London So Buff Hand & Foot Polish with Glycolic Acid, $23.50,) and a soothing massage. Our hot spots to enjoy the perfect pedicure? The Parlour Room in Sydney and Buff Studios in Melbourne. Pop back every four weeks to have a pamper session and revitalise nails.

For “no-dicure” at-home maintenance, use a dual-sided buffer to smooth the nail surface and finish with the shiny side to create a healthy glow. And don’t forget to lather your cuticles in cuticle oil every night before bedtime.

Every six months, set aside 30 minutes so that a podiatrist can address issues such as dry, thickened skin, ingrown toenails and corns. “The cold weather has a drying effect on your feet,” says podiatrist Martin Poshoglian. “Lower temperatures and low humidity contribute, as does wearing closed-in shoes. So, just as you reach for the hand cream when you notice your hands are feeling dry, you should pay equal attention to your feet.”

We love Neutrogena Intense Repair Cracked Heel Foot Cream, $20. Simply apply a dollop to each foot, rub it in and allow it to be absorbed before climbing into bed. “Most importantly, no socks!” Poshoglian say. “They cause feet to sweat out all the good stuff.”

Corns arise when focal points of hard skin form due to friction from shoes. Treatment involves shaving the corn back with a scalpel to relieve the pressure points.

Meanwhile, you might become so enamoured of the nude pedicure that, come summer and toe exposure, you keep it. If so, we suggest wearing two coats of an opaque nude polish (avoid shimmer at all costs) to make nails look clean and cool. Our favourites include Zoya nail polish in Chantel, $20 (for fair skin), Jinsoon nail polish in Nostalgia, $31 (for olive skin) and OPI Nail Lacquer in Going My Way, $17, for dark skin.

ASK STEPH

Should I use a primer to help my eyeshadow last longer?

Definitely. An eyeshadow primer helps prevent creasing by absorbing excess oils on the lids, giving a mattifying effect. It also helps hold the eyeshadow in place. Try Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base, $44.

Send questions via Instagram, @mrssdarling.

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