Back in our early teens, my friend T and I spent a sizable chunk of our summer breaks perched on the edge of her downstairs bathtub, reading YM while soaking our feet in some concoction of bath products.

We'd then proceed to carry out what were probably the most convoluted pedicures known to man. T's mother was an Avon lady, you see. We had unlimited access to a plethora of foot products, from files to scrubs to no-chip topcoats to peppermint-scented lotions and sprays, which all added up to long afternoons spent scrubbing, buffing, and polishing.

We may have missed out on some beach days, but I'll be damned if we didn't have the most pampered toes in Brooklyn, if not the entire continental United States.

I'd pretty much forgotten about our Avon pedicure ritual, but then a few weeks ago I discovered Avon Foot Works Pedi-Peel, and remembered how we got started on this in the first place. Avon pedicure products are still as terrific as they were over 10 years ago.

Pedi-Peel is a glycolic acid retexturizing treatment that you smooth on via a pre-saturated pad. It makes quick work of rough spots, does a remarkable job smoothing calluses, and when you're done, you just throw it away. You get 22 pads in a little jar for only $4.99, and with regular use you'll be able to toss the scary foot blade and probably conserve a good deal of blood in the process.

Now, off to see if Avon still has that peppermint foot lotion...