I have a week to fix my manky legs and feet

[Mybobowler]

I need some beauty wisdom!

I'm going to be bridesmaid to my best friend a week on Saturday. I've just tried my dress on and have realised that my legs and feet look awful. Pasty, pimply legs (with inexplicably purple knees) and a couple of spider veins thrown in (thanks, pregnancy). My feet are even worse - ragged nails, hardened skin, cracked soles and the blueish hue of my appalling circulation. The idea of being photographed like this is already bringing me out in a cold sweat.

I am - as you have probably guessed - not brilliant at maintenance. What on earth do I do to polish up in a week? I know the easy answer is a spray tan and a pedicure but I can't afford either and I'd be way too embarrassed to drag my disgusting trotters to a beauty salon anyway.

Any tips? I need magic!

Well I think you are beautiful.

Tights?

I’m slather your feet and legs in coconut oil, lie in a warm Bath, buff skin and scrub feet and nails. Wash. Fake tan then shape/sort nails. Repeat daily till Saturday.
Cost, I tub coconut oil, I tube shower off fake tan. And some nail varnish.

It must be the hormones @SummerHouse because that almost made me cry.

I feel so frumpy (thanks again, pregnancy) and grotty that I almost don't want to go.

I can only really get away with sandals with the dress I'm wearing, so tights are sadly not an option. If I had it my way, I'd be in a maxi dress and trainers!

Buy some body scrub and some foot scrub and a decent foot file. Give your self a pedicure removing all the hard skin. Buy some of the moisture sock mask things. And a decent foot cream. You’ll have to do it a few times so don’t bother with nail polish yet.

If your toe nails are bad maybe try the stick on ones?

Scrub and moisturiser every day on your legs too. And then a false tan the day before.

You can definitely improve on what you have.

@5zeds will it make a difference in that time?! God, I hope so.

I could really do with some pampering so maybe a nightly session is the way to go

What about one of those Footner things that are raved about, scrub legs with a body scrub, get some leg make up for the day (wash off tan stuff) don't attempt a home fake tan as it will turn out shit. Get some nail polish, probably a natural pink shade if you're no good at it.

Right, ok. I'm filling up a basket on Amazon now. Wish me luck!

Toeless tights? Marksies do some very sheer ones. And everything 5zeds said. Exfoliate and moisturise. Good foot file and clip nails. Pale polish or even clear to give a glossy finish. You're going to look great!!

I think you can get toeless tights.

Sally Hansen airbrush legs will cover all your veins - it works very well and doesn’t come off on your clothes. It’s a makeup rather than a fake tan so no problems with streaking.

Don't do Footner this close to wedding. You'll be shedding skin everywhere!

Get a microplane foot file from Amazon and use it every day in the shower

I bought an electric foot file on Amazon (prime) was about £16 made my dry cracked heels look amazing after one evening, then put socks on with flexitol over night for a few days, then you can just moisturise each night before bed. I also love l'occitane Shea exfoliating soap or the almond shower oil with exfoliating gloves for arms and legs. I had a moment a couple of months ago where I just thought gosh I look like I've been in hibernation. Nails are easy cut and polish in a neutral ish colour, toes are far away no one will see if you've filed them or not. I'm pale, I've accepted that.

The Dove Pro age body lotion in the huge dark red bottle is dirt cheap and sorts out dry legs in one overnight go.

It smells vile but it's a means to an end. Use it on your arms too. Do it every night.

Yes your legs and feet will be looking great by Saturday. All will be well. (Nb fake tan shoulders and arms if they are on show too, and oil elbows£

Hi OP.
Get yourself a foot file or an electric foot file and some O'keefe's Healthy Feet cream (Amazon do all of these).
Give your toe nails a trim and a shape and put some clear, strengthening varnish on them. They'll look so much healthier if you do this.
Give your legs a good cleanse and exfoliate them every day - just using a flannel to exfoliate will help.
Invest in some body makeup. Mac do a good one in a number of skin tones. Another good one is Vita Liberata Body Blur. But it depends how much coverage you need, I'd say Mac provides more coverage for veins etc.

Apologies it was 13.99 this one

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@KingdomScrolls

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This is the one I have - fantastic isn't it?

A good moisturiser and exfoliation in one for your legs is just mixing together sugar and coconut oil.

Also you can get leg makeup or temporary tanner that washes off. There’s a product by By Terry that’s called Tea to Tan that might work wonders for you. It’s quite £ but you might be able to get the small bottle that’s about £18.

For quick results for your feet get a metal foot file and use it in the shower then slather feet in Flexitol. More Flexitol at bedtime with socks on. Try to wear socks rather than bare feet during the day. Do a home pedicure.

Aaah I have hope! Thanks for all the product tips. I've actually just dug out some O'Keefe's Healthy Feet from my drawer of once-used beauty products - I might just start right now?! I can slide around my house for the afternoon.

My toenails are all ridged. What on earth? I think I had a case of covid toes (yes, apparently this is a thing) last year so maybe an unsightly legacy from that. I've got a nail buffer thing somewhere so I'll I'll that a go.

... if I ever get round to getting married, I think I'll have a winter wedding. Save everyone the hassle. 100 denier tights all round!

You will look gorgeous OP.

Footless tights are a good idea if you think you might feel self conscious bare legged.

I find covering my feet in moisturiser then popping cotton socks on and leaving them over night really helps to soften them up.

Beware footner if you only have a week, it's brilliant stuff but my feet were still peely after 7 days!

You can get a nail base coat called ridge-filler and it’ll smooth all the ridges out.

I find Korean Italy towels great on my pimply pasty legs, recommend once a week... I rarely remember or make time though! They really make my legs baby smooth and soft alongside nivea moisturiser every day.

A foot moisturiser with urea in it will help your feet, slather on at night with socks on, and a lovely nail varnish, fake tan if you want too.

Hope you can manage a nightly pamper and chill, and can enjoy your friends wedding, remember photos only a small part of the day, a good photographer will capture the happy emotions of everyone on the day💐

(I'm now going to find my small green towels after reading this, after commenting yesterday how pimply and pale my legs are!!)

For fake tan - I'm loving the Ashley Graham St Tropez mousse, it's really the best one I've ever used.