A salon pedicure is a treat, but you can get beautifully soft feet and neat toes at home in under an hour. Put on a podcast, grab a towel, and follow these steps.
What you will need
- A basin of warm water and a gentle soap or foot soak
- Foot file or pumice stone
- Straight-edge toenail clippers and a nail file
- Cuticle pusher
- Foot scrub and a rich foot cream
- Toe separators, base coat, polish and top coat
1. Remove old polish
Start with clean nails so you can check their condition.
2. Soak for 10 minutes
Warm (not hot) water softens skin and cuticles. Longer soaks can over-soften the skin, so ten minutes is plenty.
3. Trim straight across
Cut toenails straight across and smooth the edges with a file. Rounding the corners too much can encourage ingrown nails.
4. Push back cuticles
Gently push cuticles back. As with fingernails, avoid cutting living skin.
5. Smooth rough skin
Use a foot file or pumice on heels and the balls of your feet. Work gently; removing too much skin can make it grow back thicker. Follow with a scrub and rinse.
6. Moisturise
Massage in a thick foot cream. For extra softness, apply cream at night and wear cotton socks. Wipe the nails clean with alcohol before painting so the polish sticks.
7. Paint like a pro
Use toe separators, then apply base coat, two thin coats of colour and a top coat. Toenail polish dries slowly, so give it time before putting on closed shoes.
Pedicure polish usually lasts much longer than a manicure, often two to three weeks, because toes do not do much hard work.
If you have diabetes or poor circulation, check with a healthcare professional before doing your own foot care, and avoid cutting or filing aggressively.