How to do a Salon-Quality Pedicure at Home

Just like your hands and face, your feet need their share of regular attention. Many things, including dirt, dust, dry air, improper shoes as well as daily wear and tear, impact the health and appearance of your feet. You can easily take care of them with regular pedicures.

Pedicures are not just about polishing your toenails. Men should also go for it - skipping the polishing steps!

Pedicures keep calluses under control, keep skin properly moisturized, stimulate blood circulation, relieve tension, prevent cracks from forming and even reduce the risk of infections. Plus, well-maintained feet are a sign of a well-groomed person.

A good pedicure can be very relaxing and therapeutic in nature. It is important to enjoy a pedicure at least once a month to keep your feet in good condition.

Many people don’t do it on a regular basis because getting a pedicure at a salon can be expensive and time-consuming.

However, you can keep your feet healthy without spending a fortune by giving yourself a pedicure at home. All you need is the right tools and knowledge about the procedure.

Step-by-step guide for doing a salon-quality pedicure at home

Things you’ll need:

• Nail polish remover and cotton balls
• Pedicure kit (nail clippers, emery board, nail buffer, cuticle pusher, cuticle cutter, nail brush, toe separator)
• Foot spa gel or cleanser
• Foot spray
• Foot file with attached pumice stone and small brush
• A scrub to exfoliate
• Olive oil or cuticle oil
• Foot Moisturizer
• Nail base coat & top coat
• Your favorite colored nail polish
• A few cotton swabs
• A tub filled with warm water
• A few small towels

Step 1. Remove old nail polish

Before starting your pedicure, it is essential to get rid of old nail polish from all of your toenails. Gently rub a nail polish remover pad on the nails to remove the old nail polish. If there are layers of polish, you may have to use several pads to remove all of them.

Step 2. Soak in warm water

Next, fill a tub with warm water. Add 2 to 3 teaspoons of foot spa gel or cleanser. If you do not have either of those, you can use baby shampoo or liquid body soap.

Soak both feet in this soothing water for 10 to 15 minutes. Soaking your feet in warm water can also help relieve stress on the joints and make you feel relaxed. You can enhance the relaxation effect by listening to your favorite music, reading or meditating.

Always test the water temperature before putting your feet in it, to be sure it is not too warm for you.

Step 3. Use the pumice stone to remove calluses

Tackle any calluses on your feet immediately after the foot soak. They’ll be softened and easier to remove. Use a pumice stone to gently scrub your heels, the balls of your feet and your soles to remove the dead skin cells.

Then, use a dry foot file to clean up your feet.

Also, use a nail scrubber or an old toothbrush to clean your nails and nail beds. Use the brush to clean in between your toes.

Step 4. Scrub your entire feet

Generously apply a scrub on your feet and rub it around gently using circular motions.

Scrub your toes, between your toes, your heels and the tops and bottoms of your feet to further remove dead skin cells. Exfoliating to remove dead skin cells promotes new cell growth, which creates smoother and more attractive feet.

Step 5. Rinse and pat dry

Rinse your feet with clean water. Make sure to remove the scrub from between your toes. Use a soft towel to pat dry your feet thoroughly. Avoid rubbing your feet harshly.

Step 6. Trim and shape your nails

Cut your toenails using a nail cutter. Cut them straight across to prevent ingrown nails. You can even opt for a slightly rounded nail shape or square-rounded shape, depending upon your preference. However, avoid cutting corners too deep.

Also, make sure to clean any dirt from underneath the nail corners.

Step 7. File your nails

After giving the desired shape to your toenails, file them with a nail file or emery board to smooth out the edges. Always file your nails in only one direction. Finish with a buffer to make the top surface of your nails smooth and shiny.

Step 8. Apply olive oil on your cuticles

Use a cotton swab to apply a drop of olive oil to the base of each nail. You can also use cuticle oil. Wait for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the cuticles to soften. This is essential before proceeding to the next step.

Step 9. Gently push back your cuticles

Once your cuticles are soft, very gently push them back using a cuticle pusher or an orangewood stick. Avoid pushing the cuticles too far, as they help protect the nail beds from infection and can affect nail growth. Be careful not to tear or cut into the skin in any way.

Step 10. Trim your cuticles

Using the cuticle cutter or nipper, trim any hangnails or overgrown cuticles. Be careful not to touch any parts of the cuticle that are still protecting your nail bed.

Step 11. Apply moisturizer and massage

Apply a thick layer of foot cream on your feet, both top and bottom, including your heels and cuticles. You can also use any other moisturizer of your choice.

Using circular motions, massage your feet thoroughly for about 10 minutes. Massaging helps promote circulation and relieve tension in the calves and feet.

Step 12. Remove excess moisturizer from your nails

Before moving on to the next step, wipe your nails with a cotton ball to remove any extra oil and moisturizer. You can also use a non-acetone nail polish remover. Clean nails will help the nail polish last longer.

Step 13. Apply a base coat

Put a toe separator in one of your feet, and apply a thin layer of base coat on all your toenails. Repeat with the next foot.

A base coat helps smooth any ridges and create an even surface for your colored nail polish. A base coat also prevents your nail polish from yellowing your toenails.

Step 14. Apply two coats of nail polish

Paint each of your toenails with the nail color of your choice. Start from the center of the nail near the cuticle and, using long brush strokes, paint each nail to the tip.

Allow the first coat to dry completely before applying another coat to intensify the color. Keep the layers of nail polish as thin as possible to help them dry quickly.

Step 15. Apply a top coat

Once your nail polish is completely dry, add a final touch by applying a thin layer of top coat. A quality product will add shine, luster, and will allow your nail polish to last longer without chipping.

Step 16. Clean up the smudge

Allow your nails to dry thoroughly. Have patience as it will take some time, and avoid doing movements that may cause the nail polish to chip and peel. Once dry, scrub the nail polish off of your skin using a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover.

Step 17. Use foot spray

Finally, use a foot spray on your feet. This step is optional, but it will give a refreshing feel to your feet and keep them odor free.

Plus, as most foot sprays available in the market have antiseptic properties, spraying it on your feet will help keep infections at bay. In fact, you should use it once daily before going to bed.

Tips to do a salon style pedicure at home

• Do a pedicure 1 or 2 times each month to enjoy healthy and well-groomed feet.
• Between pedicures, scrub your feet with a pumice stone at least once a week.
• Do not use metal files, as they can rip your nails.
• Remove nail polish from time to time to keep your nails healthy.
• Keep your feet well-moisturized to help prevent blisters, cracks or other problems.
• Clean any tools you used for your pedicure with a disinfectant before storing them. Dirty tools could cause infection upon their next use.