At-Home Pedicure: A Foolproof Guide To Salon-Worthy Toes

Table of Content

• How to Give Yourself a Pedicure Using Salon Techniques
• Soaking and Scrubbing Your Feet
• Don’t forget a base coat
• How Do I Keep My Feet Looking Fresh For as Long as Possible?
• OK, I'm Ready to Roll. How Do I Give Myself a Salon-Quality Pedicure?
• File the Heels of Your Feet
• What Type of Pedicure Tools Will I Need?

You can save money by giving yourself a pedicure using salon techniques at home. Start by removing any old polish with acetone, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide. Next, fill a bowl with warm water, add a large scoop of Epsom salts, and soak your feet for 10 minutes to soften your skin. Once your skin is soft, you can use a large foot file to exfoliate your heels and use a pair of nail clippers to remove any dead skin around your toenails. You’ll also want to clip your toenails in a straight line so your polish is less likely to chip off.

Some brands make filing equipment specifically for pedicures. You might have to use more than 1 cotton ball or pad to successfully remove all of the old polish. Add quick drying drops to your nails to speed the process up even more.

How to Give Yourself a Pedicure Using Salon Techniques

” After, apply your favourite foot cream or body butter. Clip your toenails straight across, so you leave the edges intact. Don’t clip your cuticles at all, since they help protect you from infections. Use a pumice stone very gently to smooth out your calluses after you’ve washed your feet and ankles. Always disinfect your pedicure tools after using them.

Work gently as you remove any large and unwanted pieces of dead skin around the nail. Allow your hands and feet to soak in a tub of warm water. Dry off your hands and feet, then exfoliate them using a body scrub.

Soaking and Scrubbing Your Feet

Paint your toes as you did with the base coat using thin layers, but wait at least 15 minutes for each coat to dry. Soaking your feet is probably going to be the most relaxing part of a pedicure at home. The part when you actually get to take a moment to sit back, close your eyes, and unwind—that's what we're really here for! Consider elevating the moment by lighting some candles, playing your favorite music, or pouring yourself a glass of bubbly.

To trim your toenails, it's best to use high-quality clippers made specifically for that purpose, such as Tweezerman Deluxe Toenail Clippers ($19). Vinegar soaks may help soften feet and allow you to remove dead, dry, or cracked skin. Apple cider vinegar or white vinegar are popular options, and you may already have them in your kitchen.

Don’t forget a base coat

If your feet are dry, invest in a moisturizing product; if your skin is thick and covered with callouses, opt for peeling mask treatment instead. Rub the product in a thin layer all over your skin, then prop your feet up on a flat surface, like the edge of a bathtub. Keep the mask on for the time recommended by the product’s label. Examine your feet to see if your nails are digging into the skin below. Use a pair of nail clippers to pry off any pieces of overgrown nails and dead skin, which can interfere with your pedicure in the future.

TheAmerican Academy of Dermatology recommends soaking your feet in warm water for 10 minutes or so, until your skin has softened. After showering or doing a foot soak to soften the skin, slough away calluses and dead skin with a foot file. “It’s important to file away the skin in an up and down motion as opposed to straight across and back and forth,” Correa says. Cut and shape your toenails with nail clippers and a nail file. Snip your toenails straight across using the clippers and try not to cut them too short, as this helps prevents hangnails and ingrown toenails.

If you end up getting polish on your skin, you can dip a cotton swab in some polish remover and slowly rub it over the excess. Prep your nails by using a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol to remove any lotion or oil from the nail bed. Then start with a base coat (or make sure you opt for an all-in-one formula) so your efforts last and to prevent the colour from staining your nails.

Use nail polish remover and a cotton pad to remove any existing nail polish and residue from all of your toenails. Applying nail polish on a completely clean slate will ensure you get a smooth, even finish. Before you start painting, you’ll want to ensure that your finger and toenails are completely free of polish. Pour a capful of nail polish remover onto a cotton ball and use the cotton ball to clean your nails.

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Nails technically don’t dry fully until 24-hours after a manicure or pedicure, but they will appear dry in 20 – 30 minutes. Accelerate the drying process by allowing your nails to dry for 30 minutes, then run cold water over your hands and feet for three minutes. Manicures and pedicures are a great way to add some polish to your look , but regular visits to the salon are a luxury that not many people can afford.

File the Heels of Your Feet

To get started with your at-home pedicure, first clean your nails of any existing polish. Holographic top coats add a layer of sparkle to your polish and look best over solid colors. If you don’t have cuticle oil or balm, try using honey as an alternative. Fill your bathtub with enough water to cover your feet. Epsom salt is an excellent addition to your foot bath because it helps reduce inflammation and soothe aching muscles. Anyone who knows me understands how much I hate the term “self-care,” and our turbulent collective situation has only increased my vitriol for the turn of phrase.

Then, rub the lotion into each foot until it’s gone. This will help nourish your feet, leaving them smooth and soft. Trim your toenails with a nail clipper, then use a nail file to shape your nails. Use a scrubbing pad to remove dead skin cells and dirt. Avoid using any sharp or rough object to scrub as you may injure your feet.