Confessions of an Eco-Diva: Pampering your paws in winter
It’s winter. The ice-skaters are skating, the skiers are skiing, the snowflakes are falling, and I am turning in to a crocodile. Or at least my hands are.
To quell this metamorphosis, I recently paid a visit to Chakra Nail Salon and Spa, right here in my lovely town of Lyons. I had heard rumors that it was an eco-salon, and figured it was high time I checked this out for myself.
Sure enough, as owner Ani Okun massaged my chapped mitts with some wonderful smelling ginger lotion, she ticked off all the ways she’d made her salon earth-friendly. The flooring is made from sustainable cork, the wall paint contains no Volatile Organic Compounds (suspected carcinogens that cause headaches, dizziness and other fun stuff) and the product line — SpaRitual — is vegan, formaldehyde free, and comes in recycled glass bottles.
Basic manicures at Chakra (303-823-arts-entertainment0) cost $22. Or go polish-free for $16. The salon also offers waxing, make-up lessons, and things that sound really good even though I don’t know what they are, like a Soy Wax Hydrating Wrap.
However, I know that there are plenty of do-it-yourself-divas out there, so I grilled Ani for some tips on winter hand care at home. Try this:
1. Mix almond or olive oil with your favorite paraben-free lotion (any health food store will have these items).
2. Slather a generous amount of this concoction on your hands and cover them with (clean) cotton socks.
3. Cover your hands with a heating pad and watch TV for an hour or so. The heat helps the oils penetrate.
4. Act really helpless and make your husband/boyfriend bring you a glass of water, adjust your blanket and spoon-feed you chocolate pudding.
5. Repeat (especially step 4).
Ani also recommends drinking plenty of water and occasionally using hand sanitizer instead of soap and water.
This simple routine should keep unsightly chapped hands hydrated until warmer weather returns. Now dry your crocodile tears, take off your mittens and go get your olive oil.
– By Kate Nelson
Nelson is Boulder’s self-proclaimed eco-diva. Contact Nelson at ecokate@live.com.
