Comfy footwear, massage, pedicure: Hop into the festivities with happy feet

The festive season is upon us, and one thing we can’t do without to make the most of the celebrations is a pair of happy, healthy and pretty feet. With all the pandal hopping and partying around coming your way, it’s prudent to put comfort before fashion. That way, you can avoid painful conditions like bacterial or fungal infections, corns, broken skin and bad odour. So, while you take care of your hair, skin and body this festive season, prioritise the feet as much, if not more. Here are a few things that can help you hop into the festivities with ease:Keep blister plasters/band-aids handyWhile timely pedicures is my chosen method for taking care of my feet, a warm bubbly DIY foot soak is a great alternative when running to the salon isn’t an option. I do not skip exfoliating and moisturising my feet. My pro tip is to keep blister plasters/band-aids handy while travelling on foot during Pujo as your swanky new heels may cause blisters.– Lahoma Bhattacharya, actorPEDICURES GALOREl A classic pedicure starts with a warm water soak, followed by toenail trimming, filing & shaping. Apart from foot massage, nails are given a clean, shiny look before being painted2 A French pedicure is just as classic, with the exception that the nail polish is applied in the form of a thin, white band at the tip3 UV light technology is used for gel pedicures to produce long-lasting nail colour4 Fish pedicure can help you get rid of dead skin and get smoother feet and cuticles5 Spa pedicures include special treatments like paraffin wax dips, mud masks or seaweed treatmentsWear comfy shoes for pandal hoppingBuying new shoes for Pujo is a ritual I’ve been following since childhood. But I buy it a month before Pujo so that my feet get used to the footwear and I don’t get blisters during the festival. I love walking from one pandal tothe other, so I wear comfortable footwear. Those who are not used to high heels should avoid wearing it for pandalhopping. A spa pedicure is a must for me before Pujo.– Ankita Singh, modelTRENDY YET COMFY FOOTWEAR YOU NEEDl Colourful beaded Kolhapuri chappals2 Ballerinas in funky colours3 Juttis in various patterns never go out of style4 Open mules are both elegant and comfortable5 Shoes with Indian ethnic clothes is a hit with fashionistas. There are ways to customise it too6 Street-style pom pom chappals are in trendKEEP THE FEET CLEANl Soak your feet in hot water and rinse with soap before going to bed to ensure they are dirt-free2 Before applying moisturiser, exfoliate the skin with a loofah or a pumice stone3 Scrub with a mix of sugar and olive oil that has antibacterial effects; add a few drops of chamomile/lavender oil4 Apply cocoa butter or petroleum jelly to your feet after you have washed them for that smooth feeling5 Use a foot mask and keep it on for 20 mins before hitting the bedHAD A TIRING DAY? GET A MASSAGEl Swedish massage is extremely soothing and mild, making it a great option for first-timers2 Deep tissue massage is a powerful therapy that targets the deepest layers of foot muscles3 The use of aromatic essential oils during a massage is an experience known for its capacity to boost mood, ease tension, promote relaxation and/or induce sleep4 Shiatsu massage is a form of relaxation that originated in Japan and uses repetitive, focused finger pressure along the acupuncture meridians5 Thai massage therapy involves delivering forceful but moderate pressure to particularfoot spots that aid in relaxation- Mahe Saraogi PIX: Kaustav Saikia