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How to Do a Pedicure at Home

By Tiffany Moore

Our feet are overused and underappreciated. We use our feet in different ways – walking, running, jumping, skipping, dancing – yet we take them for granted.

Regular pedicures can be very soothing for tired feet. You can give yourself a relaxing spa pedicure at home and make your feet look better for less. These easy-to-follow pedicure tips are sure to get your tootsies ready for the sandal season!

Spa Pedicure at Home

Remove all traces of old nail polish completely with an acetone-free remover and cotton pad.

Don't use tissue, it'll fall apart and doesn't absorb the remover well.

If the color doesn't come off easily, press the cotton on to your nail and let it soak for a while.

Add ½ cup of Epson salt and a few drops of your favorite scented oil ( I love lavender) to a large pan of warm water, and soak your feet for 10 minutes. The more calloused your feet are, the longer they need to stay soaked.

If you really want to indulge and experience a luxurious spa pedicure at home, I suggest you invest in a Homedics Bubble Bliss Plus Luxury Foot Bubbler.

Dry your feet with a soft, clean towel. Then, exfoliate feet and heels with a pumice stone, which can be purchased at any drugstore.

Make sure to rub your heels and the ball of your feet but never the top of your foot.

To smooth out calluses, mix ½ pint fresh crushed strawberries with 1 cup raw sugar and 2 tablespoons olive oil into a grainy paste. Scrub onto your soles, rinse off and wrap your feet in warm towels for about 10 minutes to seal in moisture. The acids in strawberries have exfoliating properties which will soften rough skin.

Cut your nails straight across with a toenail clipper. Don't let your nail go beyond the tip of your toe and also make sure not to go too short as this may cause painful ingrown toenails.

Use emery board to file nails to your length of choice. Don't use metal files as they can rip your nails. I prefer soft squared nails as they look more modern than rounded tips.

Massage your feet and legs with a rich cream (peppermint foot cream is really invigorating), pay close attention to areas between your toes. When your feet are moisturized and free from dry patches, they'll look healthy and smooth.

Next, apply cuticle oil to nails to soften rough areas. If you don't have cuticle oil, olive oil or sunflower oil works well too.

Then, use an orange stick to push cuticles back. I don't recommend you cut your cuticles yourself, you might end up with cuts all along the side of your nails.

Apply a thin base coat, followed by 2 thin coats of nail polish and finish with a top coat. Let your nails dry completely, and you're all set!

Don't forget to put on a relaxing music CD, light some scented candles around the room while you pamper yourself with a home spa pedicure!

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