Hi Loves,
Spring is just around the corner, which means it’s time to say goodbye boots and hello sandals! But before you show off your toes, you probably need to get them ready for their debut. We all know the cost of professional pedicures can add up quickly which is why I am going to give you a few essential pedicure tips so you can give yourself a salon-perfect pedi at home.
Here is my 1 through 9 step-by-step guide that will get your feet ready for all the open-toe shoes spring and summer has to offer:
Step 1: Soak
Fill your bathtub with warm water and add a bath salt that will help you relax while you soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes or until your feet have softened for easy removal of dry skin. I recommend Heel to Toe Peppermint Pedicure Salt which can be purchased at Sally Beauty for $3.99 which helps to soothe and relax tired feet and it’s infused with peppermint for aromatherapy which will help you relax.
Step 2: Clip
After soaking your feet, you can start clipping your toenails. When clipping your toenails make sure you cut them evenly and equally, angling your clippers in the same direction. For clipping your toenails, I recommend Heel to Toe Sure Grip Toenail Clipper which can be purchased from Sally Beauty as well for $3.29.
Step 3: File and Buff
Before you start to file, dry off your toenails. Position the file under your nail and file gently with even strokes, never going back and worth as this can damage your nails. I recommend Les Mirages Antibacterial Nail File which helps provide protection against germs.
Don’t forget to buff! Lightly buff nails in a back and forth motion with a finishing block. This will help prep your nails for nail polish. I recommend the All Season Fine Grit Finishing Block because it has a light abrasive for natural nails.
Step 4: Exfoliate
Wear exfoliating gloves and apply a polishing foot scrub to your feet and massage in a circular motion to get rid of any flaky or dry skin. Any exfoliating gloves and polishing scrub will work just fine. I recommend Bath Secrets Exfoliating Gloves and Heel to Toe Exfoliating Polishing Foot Scrub.
Step 5: Apply Callus Remover
Even if you don’t have callused feet, you want to apply a callus remover to the areas of your feet that are still a little rough before using a pumice tool. I like to apply the remover just before I start nipping my cuticles so the remover stays on my feet a minute. I highly recommend Be Natural Callus Eliminator by American International. This product is amazing and will make your feet baby smooth with little work involved. The directions say to leave it on for 3-5 minutes, but I leave it on for no more than one minute because my feet are not callused, just a little dry in some areas. If you have callused feet, then I would follow the 3-5 minute rule on the directions depending on the severity of your callus.
Step 6: Cuticles
Massage cuticle remover into your nail beds to loosen your cuticles. I recommend Be Natural Cuticle Eliminator.
After letting the cuticle remover sit for a few seconds, it is now time to push them back before nipping. I recommend the Cricket Cuticle Pusher. Make sure to hold the pusher at a slight angle and gently push toward the nail base.
Now it is time to start nipping away! I recommend All Season Cuticle Nipper to safely trim away your cuticles.
Lastly with your cuticles, apply cuticle oil. I recommend Orly Argan Oil Cuticle Drops which helps nourish and hydrate cuticles and nails.
Step 7: Pumice Away
Wipe off the callus remover and start massaging your feet with a pumice stone to make them silky-smooth. I highly recommend the Tweezerman Pedro Callus Stone or the Mr. Pumice Extra-Coarse Purple Pumi Bar. Both products are amazing and give you the outcome of a professional pedicure. LOVE them!
Step 8: Moisturize
Apply a generous amount of moisturizer in a circular motion. I recommend Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Creme.
Step 9: Color
Before you add color to your freshly pedicured toenails, be sure to remove the oil and moisturizer on your nails really well with nail polish remover.
Position a toe separator on each foot to make it easier to paint your toenails.
Now you’re ready to apply your favorite nail polish. Apply a clear base coat, two even coats of colored polish (make sure the first is completely dry before applying the second coat), and lastly apply a quick dry top coat. For a clear base coat I recommend Orly Bonder and for a quick dry top coat I highly recommend Orly Sec ‘N Dry.
And that is how you give yourself a salon-perfect pedicure at home.
All the products mentioned in the blog post can be purchased at Sally Beauty and will last you at least a year, if not longer.
Your beauty addict,
Trisha
XO
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