Anyone who’s ever had a stellar manicure can tell you that getting a new coat of polish is just a small part of the overall experience.  Many people find the real fun lies in indulging their hands, forearms, legs and tootsies with a luxurious treatment packed with aromatic lotions, scrubs and masques. While it’s always wonderful to get a professional treatment, you can also replicate the experience yourself right at home with the right products:

• Scrubs – By gently scrubbing your feet and hands, you’ll slough off flaky dead skin cells to reveal smoother new skin underneath. Try scrubs made of organic sugar for the perfect amount of exfoliation without being too harsh on your skin. Some scrubs, like the organic sugar scrubs by Nubar, are formulated to work well on other parts of your body, including rough patches on elbows and knees.

• Hand Lotions – For light moisture, feed your skin with nourishing antioxidants, vitamins and essential oils with a good scented hand lotion. The aromatherapy benefits alone will help you relax during your at-home pampering experience, and your hands will feel more hydrated and supple before polishing. Just be sure to remove all lotion from the nails themselves before applying lacquer to make your manicure last.

• Foot Mud Masques – For the rougher skin on your soles and heels, a foot masque will help impart the deep moisture needed to soften the skin. A aromatherapy masque (such as Nubar’s lavender sage) will leave skin revitalized and moisturized with the added benefit of a soothing fragrance.

• Foot Butters – After treating your tootsies to a masque, extend the heavenly experience by slathering on a foot butter made with rich, natural shea butter.  It will permeate the skin’s surface for deep lasting moisture, which soothes and protects dry, cracked skin often found on feet.

With the right products, your at-home manicure and pedicure can feel just as rejuvenating as an in-spa treatment. A word of caution, however – when choosing your scrubs and lotions, make sure they are paraben-free, as research has found parabens are carcinogenic (cancer-causing). You can select from a variety of high-quality, paraben-free products at bynubar.com.