How to Give a Great Pedicure

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(2 Ratings)

Giving yourself or a close friend a home pedicure can be a wonderful treat. If you are on a budget, a home pedicure can be a great way to relax. Come summer time, you can show off your pampered feet with a touch of style.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Cuticle stick
Toe separators
Base coat polish
Nail polish
Top coat polish

Clip and File Your Toenails

Step 1

Clean under your toenails using an orange stick wrapped in a piece of cotton. You can purchase one in any drug store or beauty shop.
Step 2

Clip your toenails using a straightedge set of nail clippers. Try to leave some length near the edges to avoid ingrown toenails.
Step 3

File your nails by stroking the file in the same directions. Sawing back and forth could result in weakened nails.

Soak Your Feet

Step 1

Prepare a basin of warm water that's deep enough to soak your feet completely.
Step 2

Add moisturizing tablets or liquid to the water. These are available from your local drugstore or supermarket and can soften your feet and deodorize them prior to treatment.
Step 3

Soak your feet for 20 minutes, and don't forget to relax!
Step 4

Dry your feet and discard the water.

Complete the Pedicure

Step 1

Prepare your basin with fresh warm water and a few tablespoons of sea salt.
Step 2

Soak your feet for another 20 minutes. This step will loosen dead skin for removal.
Step 3

Remove your feet from the basin of water and pat your feet dry with a towel.
Step 4

Discard the used water in the basin.

Pumice Your Feet to Remove Dead Skin

Step 1

Begin to remove dead skin cells by swiping the pumice stone gently across rough areas.
Step 2

Concentrate on rough calluses and the balls of your feet by using the pumice stone more in these areas. You won't need to apply extra pressure.
Step 3

Try using a foot sloughing cream next, which contains small abrasive particles, to decrease flakiness. Rub it on and rinse with cool water.

Polish Your Nails

Step 1

Push your cuticles back with a cuticle stick to allow for even polish application.
Step 2

Separate your toes with toe separators.
Step 3

Choose a base coat for your polish and stroke it on. Allow it to dry for the amount of time listed on the bottle.
Step 4

Apply the first coat of colored polish by stroking it on. Allow to dry and apply a second coat in the same manner.
Step 5

Stroke on a protective top coat and allow to dry.