DIY Pedicure - So easy, and So Perf!

I have to say that although I would love to go get a pedicure to the salon every so often, I have only done it twice in my life. Two reasons for this are:

1. Of course, the expense.
2. I don’t have enough time to be going so frequently, and end up with poor looking nails.

Because of these reasons I had stayed away from salons most of my life. Also, leading such a busy life, I ended up forgoing pedicures all together (other then the usual trimming and cleaning). Oh, but then I had a daughter, and a very girly daughter at that. She wants every color nail polish out there, and she wants it changed frequently. Although I don’t accede all that often, we have had our fair share of DIY/at home pedicures. Anyone with a steady hand and the right tools can do a very descent job.

Here is what you will need:

• Cotton balls
• Cotton wands (Q-tips)
• Nail polish remover
• Nail brush
• Cuticle treatment (or hand lotion in a pinch)
• Cuticle tools (to push back cuticles)
• Buffer block
• Nail file
• Nail clip (if needed)
• Base coat
• Your favorite nail color
• Topcoat
• Toe separators
• A foot soaker
• Foot scrub
• Foot lotion
• Towel

Here are the steps:


1. Clean your feet and nails - You want to start out with a clean environment.


2. Rub feet with foot scrub - Helps dead skin come off and leave softer skin behind.


3. Rub cuticle treatment (or foot lotion) on your cuticles and push them back - I don’t recommend cutting cuticles as it can lead to infections if done improperly. Let the treatment sit on the cuticles for a bit before trying to push them back. Soaking your feet will also soften the cuticles and make this easier. Use a cuticle tool to assist pushing the cuticle back.

4. Brush skin around nails - Helps dead skin come off and leave a good nail base. 

5. Trim nails.

6. Pat feet dry and apply foot lotion.

7. Place toe separator on toes to avoid smudges.

  

8. Dab nails with a cotton ball soaked with nail polish remover - Your polish will last less and can start to peel if there are any residual oils.

9. Buffer nails all over with a buffer block - A matt nail surface aids in polish adhesion and delays peeling.


10. Apply a base coat, two thin coats of color, and one topcoat - The base coat prevents color bleeding onto your nail (which can happen with deeper hues). Topcoats provide a layer of protection against scuffs and scratches. Depending on your nail polish, you may be able to get away with only one coat of color in between base and topcoat.

Best looking 7 year old toes ever!!

A few last notes:

My little girl loves color, but she also loves peeling it off once it starts to peel at the corners. The base coat and top coat delay that from happening and have her toes looking So Perf! longer.


She loves doing our Spa Pedicure at home, giving us a chance to talk and bond, and that is always a plus. It is tons of fun for her.

Once she is done, she helps me with mine and we both sit together while our toes dry. Be warned, when she does mine they are not exactly salon quality yet, but smudges and all I still think it's worth our time together (and I usually re-do it a bit later).

Have fun shopping for your colors and doing your home pedicure. You will look So Perf!

Rossana G-A