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Vital Juice

Vital Juice

Beauty

December 7, 2011

Vanilla-Peppermint Candy & Coffee Holiday Pedicure

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Try the Ritz's holiday pedi.

This DIY pedi smells like a holiday dessert.

This recipe couples a rich, smoky coffee aroma with the sweet scent of peppermint--known in aromatherapy for its mentally stimulating, energizing properties. Makes enough for two to three applications.
 
Foot Soak
6-8 c. warm water
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
10 drops pure vanilla essential oil
15 drops peppermint essential oil (Mentha Piperita)
mint leaves
 
Combine all ingredients in a bowl large enough to fit both feet. Top off with mint leaves, and enjoy!
 
Scrub
1/4 c. olive oil
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
1 c. pure turbinado sugar*
15 drops peppermint essential oil (Mentha Piperita)
1/2 c. used coffee grounds from a freshly brewed pot
 
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl; using a fork, thoroughly blend. Transfer the scrub to a wide-mouthed jar, and store in a cool place until ready to use. The scrub will keep for one to two weeks, longer if refrigerated.

After the foot soak, apply handfuls of the coffee scrub to wet skin. Use circular motions, starting at the feet and working up from the bottom of each leg. Because the scrub contains oil, it's best to do this over a rubber mat to avoid slipping. Pay particular attention to rough spots such as heels and ankles. After scrubbing, cleanse the feet in the bowl of warm water. Pat skin dry with a fluffy towel, and follow with your favorite foot or body lotion to seal in the moisture. Finish with your favorite red polish and a glittery topcoat for a great holiday twist.

* Also known as turbinated sugar, this is produced by crushing freshly cut sugar cane; the juice obtained is evaporated by heat, and then crystallized. The crystals are spun in a centrifuge, or turbine (thus the name), to remove excess moisture, resulting in the characteristic large, light brown crystals.

Source: Ritz-Carlton Spa Los Angeles