We're no strangers to putting our feet through the ringer for a great pair of platforms, but when having impeccable feet is a part of your job, it's a whole different ballgame. Just ask English model Sundal Roy at Body London. She's been in the foot modelling business for more than ten years, appearing in editorials for the likes of shoe designer Camilla Elphick and home of Shoe Heaven, Harrods.
Ahead, Roy shares her the routine that keeps her toes in top photo-worthy form and her must have products for picture perfect feet.
On her footcare routine
‘In the shower, I’ll use a homemade coffee scrub at least twice a week and a pumice stone every other day to remove any hard skin. Once I’m out of the shower, I’ll go over with a foot file from Sally’s Beauty Store to remove any calloused skin. Sometimes I'll even go over with a professional callous blade if I need to - I got mine from Ebay. Post-shower is usually a good time to push back my cuticles (as the cuticles are softened). And then I moisturise, currently I’m using the Farmologie Moro Orange Lotion.’
ELLE Edit: Feetcare Must-Haves
Margaret Dabbs London Professional Foot File
On doing her own pedicures
‘I start with a cuticle softener from SkinTruth. It dissolves any dead skin and then I push my cuticles back with a little cuticle blade before going in with the trimmers. I'll trim my nails with nail scissors or a coarse grit file and then smooth off with a fine grit file or a sanding block. I might go over the surface of my nails with the sanding block as well if I want the polish to last a little bit longer. I’m currently using a base coat from Beauty Pie.
'If I’m doing a foot modelling job, they’ll usually have a nail technician on set or send me to a nail salon ahead of the shoot. The clients will usually request the colour - most of the time they ask for OPI Bubble Bath. If I’m doing my own nails, my shade of choice is Morgan Taylor In The Nude, which is a super pale sheer beige/pink, almost like a bone hue. I recently discovered Nails. Inc and I love the shades Mykonos Beach and Mani Meditation. I finish off with a top coat from Morgan Taylor in either Make It Last for long-wear or Need For Speed if you need a fast-drying finish as you’re about to head out the door. I also use a quick-dry spray from Elegant Touch.'
ELLE Edit: Pedicure Must-Haves
On at-home feet treatments
'Every couple of weeks I'll do a foot mask. Superdrug has their own brand foot socks which are really good. In winter, I just slather on lotion and put cotton socks on overnight. My feet feels super soft in the morning. It’s too warm for that in the summer, so I’ll usually stick with the Superdrug foot socks.'
On in-salon pedicures
'I went through a period of getting gel manicures on my toes because I liked how they didn't chip, but they just destroyed my nails. Besides, I find that with feet, my non-gel pedicure lasts for ages anyway. I do get the add-on paraffin treatments that salons usually offer with pedicures as often as I can.'
On her shoe choices
'I don't really wear high heels unless I'm taking a taxi. If I'm walking or dancing, then I won't wear uncomfortable shoes. If I’m dressing up, there’s a brand called Bhava Studios that I like. They’re from the States. Their shoes are really comfortable to wear all night long. They’re my go-tos.
'If any shoes rub my feet, they have to go. Sometimes I’ll wear them with a Compeed blister plaster to prevent any marks or blisters, as sometimes new shoes do need to be broken in a little bit.'
On wearing fake toenails
'Sometimes things happen and make-up artists can cover up a lot. If there's like a little bruise on the leg, they can cover it with make-up, the only thing that they can't cover is scabs. If they can’t touch that up, they might not book you. Especially if it's for a moving image.
'I've done a shoot with a plastic toenail. My big toenail had just fallen off because I'd stubbed my toe, so I just put a plastic toenail on and the client was fine with it because it looks pretty convincing. Just a plastic toenail from Superdrug, stuck it on with nail glue. But life is for living after all, so I try not to be too precious.'
