My paraffin instructions are geared towards the DIYer, but there are now lots of options for you to buy a paraffin unit for home use. The one pictured above is the HoMedics ParaSpa Mini Paraffin Bath, with Adjustable Temperature Control PAR100, available at Drugstore.com. You can also easily purchase the HoMedics ParaSpa Paraffin Wax Refills
as well.
Paraffin Treatment, Spa Treatments, Supplies, Tools and Implements
A foot file or pumice stone is used to smooth and exfoliate the dry skin and callous on the bottoms of your feet. I highly recommend that you find a Swedish Clover Fot File, made by Flowery. These are without a doubt the best foot files made. They last forever, they absolutely will not break, and they get all that dry skin off your feet like you wouldn’t believe! They can be a little tricky to find–Sally’s Beauty Supply in the U.S. carries them though.
pedicures, Tools and Implements
A pedicure tub can be purchased at your local drugstore (usually inthe therapeutic items section), your local beauty supply, or your local bath store. I use one with a function that retains the heat in the bath, so that it doesn’t get cold while I am working. This is a great feature, but not necessary, you can use anything large enough to hold both feet and water to cover them without overflowing. The one above is available from The Sharper Image: Portable “No Spill” Massaging Foot Spa with Jet-Action Bubbles, Vibration & Heat (CA843).
You can use an old crock pot (with a warm setting, do NOT use one with only one setting), or a small potpourri warmer (even one with a candle, if you remember to start it up early enough), both available at most grocery stores or a kitchen specialty
shop. You can even use a microwavable bowl, large enough to dip your hand into. If price is not an object, you can buy a paraffin
warmer at most beauty supply houses, or some sporting goods stores and department stores. These are often quite expensive, but I do believe that I saw one recently for a very reasonable price (under $50). The most important thing to remember here is that paraffin melts at a very low temperature, and it will burn your hands if you have it too hot. ALWAYS test your paraffin before you stick your hand in it, and use the paintbrush to paint it on if you want to be absolutely safe.
You will use the Tupperware style container to disinfect your tools either after you have used them, or before the next time (often easier, especially if you forget to disinfect them BEFORE you polish your nails). This will also be where you store your tools, so they don’t get bumped around and lose their edges (nippers).
The battery operated facial brush is an optional item that is easy to find now that every cosmetics company has a microdermabrasion kit available. I much prefer the actual brush to the sponge, which is harder to find. You don’t need it, but it is a useful thing to have and will give you great results on both your face AND your hands (as you will find many things will!).
I found the one above at Folica.com, and I am going to order it. The one I had previously was from BeautiControl (order through a local representative), I loved it, but it died after about a year.
Manicures, Spa Treatments, Tools and ImplementsHeated mitts can be purchased at a beauty supply (buy these from Folica.com), or any store with a pampering section (i.e., Bed, Bath and Beyond and similar stores).
As they are rather expensive ($40-$80), I always use a large size heating pad and fold it over my hands. Works great!
The pump spray bottle is for convenience of using your cuticle remover (Blue Cross, will talk more about that shortly). Any size is fine, but all you really need is 2-4 oz. An empty travel size pump hair spray bottle is perfect. The small spray from this size bottle is the perfect size for hitting your fingertips.
A scrub brush can be purchased anywhere from the local beauty
supply to the grocery store to the hardware store. The choice is your
preference, I have no specific recommendations here.
With these, there is a fair variety in pricing, not nearly as extreme as with the nippers, and even the cheap ones will push your cuticles back for a lifetime. From my experience, the cheap ones are too flat and narrow to hold properly. I, again, would recommend the Tweezerman Pushy. It is stainless steel, not too expensive ($15.99 at Drugstore.com), and has more bulk in the center to hold on to (which is a big advantage when learning to be ambidextrous).
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