“Pedicurist to the stars”, Bastien Gonzalez, 43, is a world-class podiatrist whose A-list clients include Naomi Campbell, Gwyneth Paltrow and Robert De Niro. Renowned for his holistic approach, Bastien emphasises the importance of fusing beauty with health and wellbeing.
“A Bastien Gonzalez pedicure isn’t just about the nails – it’s a pedi: cure, meaning that the entire foot and leg is treated. You won’t leave with painted toenails – you’ll leave with restored and naturally beautiful feet,” Bastien explains.
And he should know, having opened his first medical office in Paris 20 years ago and overseen the training of numerous staff throughout the world in his pedicure style.
“The pedi: cure starts with buffing the nails, which is a technique that I learnt from my grandmother,” Bastien explains. By using a combination of tools, including a diamond-dust nail file, Bastien is able to transform even the most stained of nails with ease. Then he cures the toenails, treats the skin around them, and massages the foot up to the knee to encourage circulation into the heel. “If you like wearing pointy shoes or high heels, your calf starts to shorten and your heel compacts,” Bastien says. “It’s essential that every night you stretch out your calves as well as your toes, otherwise they start to squish together and overlap.”
Bastien has studios all over the world, and he and his staff treated 58 000 customers’ feet last year alone. So, what are this foot virtuoso’s DOs and DON’Ts for looking after your feet and nails?
Bastien Gonzalez
DO towel-dry each individual finger- and toenail after a shower, as nails are porous and absorb water easily, which dries them out.
DON’T cut your toenails too short or file them into an oval shape. This can cause inflammation and ingrown toenails.
DO moisturise your feet every night to keep the skin supple and soft.
DON’T leave your nailpolish on for too long or it will burn and stain your nails. Only keep it on for a maximum of three days, then moisturise and give your nails a day or two to recover before reapplying.
DO massage your feet, legs and toes every day to reduce redness and encourage circulation. Stretching your toes is especially important, as it helps prevent friction and the formation of corns.
DON’T file your feet using a metal file as this can cause calluses.
DO put talcum powder on your feet when wearing heels – it absorbs moisture and helps prevent friction, redness and swelling.
DON’T wear flip-flops every day, as they can cause your heels to crack.
DO buy your shoes in the afternoon to ensure that you get the correct fit. The foot expands up to 1cm during the day, so morning shopping could result in too-tight shoes and damaged nails.
DON’T push your cuticles down as they can split and it also causes dents in the nails.
DO treat your nails with olive oil as it penetrates well and is budget friendly.
TIP! If you have an old electric toothbrush, use it on damp toenails to treat the cuticles and encourage shine.
To treat your feet to a Bastien Gonzalez pedicure at One&Only Spa, please contact One&Only Cape Town at 021 431 5810 or send an email to [email protected]. You can also visit the Pedi: Mani: Cure Studio By Bastien Gonzalez at One&Only Spas all over the world. For more information, visit oneandonlyresorts.com.
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