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Turn your foot soak into a slushy experience with the new craze in pampering: jelly pedicures. Sounds gooey, but don't get turned off by the name. Jelly pedicures have great benefits for the feet and the skin, so whether you want to try the trend at home or in the salon, you'll walk away with glowing toes.
What It Is
Jelly pedicure material is a fluffy gel that encases your feet, cocoon-like, keeping your feet warmer up to four times longer than your traditional foot soak. After you hop into the chair at the salon and place your feet in the bowl, the bowl is filled a quarter of the way with water, then the technician adds a powdered jelly mixture. After a few minutes, the water turns to a gel you can slush your feet around in for a relaxing treat.
What's In It
Don't get the wrong idea. Spa professionals aren't pouring a gelatin dessert into your foot soak. The mixture, made with an assortment of plants such as aloe vera and essential oils, forms a gelatin mixture that cleanses and refreshes. Typically, at-home treatments come in lavender, aloe vera and peppermint that's a translucent purple, green or clear color. "It also aids blood flow and helps combat any circulation problems while exfoliating and hydrating tired feet," says Irina Gordon, esthetitian and owner of Dyanna Spa NYC.
Benefits
After your relaxing soak, the jelly pedicure may have all the amenities of a regular pedicure, including reflexology message and warm lotion. The scent is light, and can be used on sensitive or allergy sensitive skin. The jelly pedicure exfoliates skin, opens the pores and helps make the skin feel smooth, soft and relaxed.
Where It Came From
Jellybath, developed in Japan as a reflexology treatment and stress reliever, was brought to the United States by beauty aficionado Elizabeth de Alicante. You can purchase a jelly pedicure product online, or ask your local salon if it offers the service. Like any specialty service at your salon, the jelly pedicure will cost a little more than your traditional foot pampering ritual.
