Latest news with #MillyMason
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Telegraph
How to make midlife feet look good in sandals
In this regular series, Ageless Beauty, The Telegraph's beauty experts Annabel Jones and Lisa Armstrong tackle the conundrums they've been searching for answers to, and share their favourite tips and tricks. This week, they discuss how to get ready for scandal season. ... A thoroughly good pedicure underpins my entire summer beauty regime. By good I mean one whereby my feet and toenails glisten like perspex. After all, it's the extremities (skin, feet, hair, nails) that give the most bang for your buck. Get these glowing and you can skip all else and remain impeccably groomed. Which brings me to my first point: before you even conceive of the colour, heels and cuticles must be tended to with assassin-like attention. I call on Milly Mason, a nail artist who specialises in prestige pedicures (including Lily Allen's who incidentally has a 4.9 out of five star-rating on WikiFeet). Interestingly, Mason doesn't recommend removing hard heel skin with any sort of implement (it grows back quicker and thicker) but to nurture feet daily with a foot mask that includes Urea, a byproduct of protein known for its intense hydration. At high percentages (over 10 per cent) Urea acts as a keratolytic, helping to exfoliate the top layer of skin without need for mechanical tools. I've been singing the praises of Eucerin's Urea Repair Intensive Moisturising Lotion for years – it deals with rough patches (elbows, knees, heels) like nothing else I've tried. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harriet Westmoreland (@harrietwestmoreland) For feet specifically however, Mason suggests something altogether more powerful: the 40 per cent Urea Chapped Skin Cream from German nail brand LCN, which sorted the cracks running up the backs of my heels within a week. At night I've been doubling up with their Chapped Skin Balm to seal it all in, though I'll hazard a guess that Vaseline is as proficient at preventing moisture from escaping should you not have the latter. Mason took a gentle electric buffing tool to my heels (Bare Feet by Margaret Dabbs does a good one) and rough outer toe skin before applying the cream, but a rudimentary foot file is all you need at home to keep hard skin from building into a monstrous layer. Mason says to stay clear of blades and rasps which are precarious at best. When it comes to toe length, she assures me that short is best. If you can feel your toenails pressing up against the front of your shoes then you could be causing long-term damage to the nail bed. As for soaking the feet, this should be done last, after filing, shaping and polishing, as painting onto damp toenails can result in a fungal or bacterial infection. If you're doing your own pedicure – which, provided you have the right tools, is tremendously satisfying – then file toenails with an emery board, says Mason. Disposable ones are generally recommended though it's only really relevant if you're sharing nail files. Before polishing, push back cuticle skin with a cuticle softener and cuticle pusher, then lightly even the surface of the nail bed with a nail buffer (it has a much finer grit than a traditional file). You want as smooth a surface as possible for the polish to look its best – and for it to last. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Milly Mason (@millymason_) Toeanails are generally a zone to experiment with one of the trendier shades (spearmint green and neons are doing the rounds this summer), though if you generally err on the side of restraint as I do, then Precious by The Gelbottle, is a mature ballerina pink worth a look. Alternatively, Mason suggests black. 'It looks crisp and fresh on toenails so long as it has a glossy finish,' she claims. I was unsure at first. Too gothic, too cool. But in reality there's nothing more classic. Even in summer. Just don't forget to drench the toes in cuticle oil and apply foot lotion. Annabel's picks Yikes, the sights you see in the foot region when the weather's hot. Can I just say – hello, has everyone folk forgotten about the joys of a good old fashioned nail brush? People spend a small fortune on nail art, but when it comes to £4 for a wooden (rather than plastic) nail brush... Feet have become a passion I never thought I'd have – possibly because mine keep reminding me they deserve my full attention. Hard skin, corns, a shortened metatarsal that means my feet pronate, a bunion on my left foot (I had the right one removed which was one of the best things I ever did) I've seen and got them all. That's why these days, I see a podiatrist every few months. I'm about to get orthotics fitted. While they won't alter the alignment of my feet long term, I'm assured they'll help them rest in the correct position while I'm wearing them, so shoes don't rub and callouses and hard skin form less quickly. Using Margaret Dabbs' excellent foot file several times a week and a really good foot cream daily keeps things under control between visits. (Kure Bazaar's is pricy but lasts ages). Orthotics aren't cheap either but sometimes you can get them on private insurance. Either way they have to be worth it. Foot health is vital to overall health and wellbeing. There's a section of rigorous foot exercises on the Pilatesology app which help strengthen feet and lift arches. Pilatesology is a paid-for app that, despite being a Pilates disciple for 30 years, I've only recently discovered. It has a huge library of classes for all levels, from mat to machines. It's brilliant. If that all sounds a bit much, rolling a simple spiky ball or foot roller under your arches can feel amazingly good. Meanwhile, I'm wearing my sheepskin-lined Fitflops (good in hot wear, no rubbing) from last year that look and feel like a bed. Surprisingly, I've had a lot of compliments on them and my feet have never been happier. Birkenstock do something similar. They're not the most elegant footwear, but a good manicure makes a world of difference. Like Annabel, I love natural, buffed, clean looking toenails, but my sensible, low-glam footwear tipped me over into a glossy orange red pedi the other day, and I must say, it's very cheering. I don't bother with gel on my toes – too much of a faff getting it removed. The exception is if I'm going on holiday and planning on scrambling over rocks, an admittedly niche activity which chips varnish in a nano second. A few drops of cuticle/almond oil whenever you remember, keeps things looking glossy and healthy. Lisa's picks
Refinery29
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Summer's 9 Hottest Pedicure Colours Are Surprisingly Versatile
All linked products are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase any of these products, we may earn a commission. Year in and year out, the most popular summer nail colours have one thing in common — they're bold. I get it. The arrival of sunshine season means that from our mood to our outfit choices, everything tends to get a whole lot brighter. And here in the UK especially, where the chances to get our toes out are few and far between, it makes sense to opt for a pedicure colour that's pleasingly vibrant. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Milly Mason (@millymason_) But for summer 2025, it seems like the tides are turning. Sure, there are still some eye-catching brights and more unexpected tones that are set to prove popular for the season ahead, but the dominating feel is a whole lot more subtle. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Milly Mason (@millymason_) From milky finishes to barely-there blushes, all of the nail experts that I spoke to seemed to point to a preference for calm, clean and quiet shades that make for a pleasingly versatile base for both glamorous beach getaways and chilled summer afternoons in the city. Pastel French View this post on Instagram A post shared by Harriet Westmoreland (@harrietwestmoreland) A fresh and playful twist on the classic French, pedicure master Milly Mason predicts that switching white tips for pastel hues will be huge this summer. 'It's so fun but chic at the same time,' says Mason. Opt for shades like mint, lilac and baby blue like Mason's sorbet-inspired pedicure here. Almond Milk View this post on Instagram A post shared by Danae Gooch (@danaegooch_) Creamy whites and translucent neutrals — think almond milk — are dominating for summer. 'Milky pedicures are my go-to and I'm seeing them everywhere on my feed for summer '25,' explains global manicurist and Bio Sculpture nail technician Julia Diogo. To recreate something like this polished pedi by Elim UK, Diogo suggests seeking out a 'sheer, creamy white as opposed to a harsh one', like Bio Sculpture's Seafoam Polish, £15.50. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝐍𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒𝐱𝐁𝐘𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐀 🧚 Nail Artist Cyprus (@nailsxbymilena) Pastels are definitely reigning supreme ahead of summer, but this delicate and dreamy shade of purple is going to be especially popular. 'Soft shades like lavender always complement sun-kissed skin and really capture the fresh, playful energy of the season while still looking contemporary,' says session manicurist Ami Streets. This glazed pedi by manicurist @nailsxbymilena is the perfect example. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Glaize | The Cure to the Manicure (@ Much like the white T-shirt of pedicure colours, a soft pink is effortless and looks good on everyone. 'Something like Essie Ballet Slippers, £8.99, is so soft and elegant and works perfectly for those who like a minimalist look,' says nail artist Iram Shelton. Aqua Splash View this post on Instagram A post shared by the nail atelier (@ Consider this the wild card colour for summer. While matcha and pistachio greens have been huge for spring, things are getting punchier for the season ahead. Aquamarine, cyan blue and turquoise will be making a splash on toes, like this statement pedi by The Nail Atelier. Black Gloss View this post on Instagram A post shared by Milly Mason (@millymason_) Black might sound like an unexpected choice for summer, but trust me, it's the coolest pedicure of the season. 'An ultra-glossy black pedicure pairs perfectly with a colourful sandal and is a year-round favourite of mine,' says Mason. Recreate her stylish colour block pedicure at home using OPI Infinite Shine Lady In Black Nail Polish, £18. Fiery Red View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bombnailz Bay Area (@b0mbnailz) 'You can't escape summer without a vibrant red on your toes,' says Shelton, and tomato red is the shade of the season. 'It's bold, fiery and looks incredible against sun-kissed skin.' Recreate this crimson pedi by Bombnailz Bay Area at home using a high-shine shade like Essie Gel Couture in Rock The Runway, £10.99. Iridescent Glow View this post on Instagram A post shared by Camilla Ellinor (@ Soft shimmers, opalescent finishes and pearly chromes are having a moment for summer — and we can't get enough. 'They give a luminous, barely-there glow that catches the light beautifully and makes a great choice for those who prefer a more low-key pedicure,' explains Streets. Manucurist Active Plump, £16, adds a pearlescent sheen to nails while hydrating and plumping. Butter Yellow View this post on Instagram A post shared by Nails journal | (@ Light, bright and instantly cheerful, butter yellow is like sunshine in a bottle. If you want to dip your toe into a colourful pedi, but aren't a fan of summer neons, then this makes a great alternative. Try Gucci Nail Polish in 218 Cecilia Ivory, £27, to recreate the subtle golden warmth of this pedicure by
