How to Have a Pedicure for Spring

A pedicure for spring is essential to prepare the feet for the exposure of wearing sandals and flip-flops or just going barefoot on the beach. While many choose to have a spa or salon pedicure, others prefer to perform their pedicures at home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 180-grit file
• 240-grit file
• Toenail clippers
• Terry towel
• Foot bath
• Liquid soap
• Essential oils
• Nail polish remover
• Cuticle remover
• Orangewood stick
• 80-grit file paddle
• Lotion
• Spray bottle of warm water
• Cotton pad
• Alcohol
• Toe separators
• Base coat
• Nail polish
• Topcoat

1. Gather the required tools, including files, nail clippers, polish remover and cotton balls, and place them near a comfortable chair.

2. Place the terry cloth toweling in front of your chair in preparation for the foot bath. Have an extra towel handy to wipe up any water drippings during the pedicure.

3. Fill the foot bath with enough comfortably warm water to cover both feet. Add a few drops of liquid soap or essential oils and stir lightly to disperse.

4. Place the foot bath on the terry towel.

5. Remove the old polish from the nails on both feet using a gentle polish remover.

6. File the toenails straight across using a 180-grit file. Round the corners only slightly to the natural shape of the toe. Remove the underside of the corners with toenail nippers and file with a 240-grit file to smooth.

7. Place both feet in the foot bath and soak for 5 minutes.

8. Treat your cuticles with cuticle remover by massaging it into the cuticle. With the orangewood stick, gently push back the transparent cuticle.

9. Use the nail brush to scrub your feet with special attention to the underside of the nails.

10. Remove any callouses with the 80-grit foot file paddle, taking care to stay on calloused skin and avoid filing into healthy skin.

11. Pour an adequate amount of lotion or cream into your hands and massage both feet. Make sure to get between the toes and around the toenails. Put both feet back into the foot bath and scrub to remove the lotion.

12. Use a spray bottle of warm water to rinse the toes well and dry feet completely with special attention between the toes. To make sure all the oil is off the toenails, wipe with a cotton pad saturated with alcohol.

13. Apply a base coat, followed by a thin coat of color. Allow to dry completely and apply a second coat of color. After both coats are dry, apply a thin layer of topcoat for long-lasting color.

Tips & Warnings

• Use toe separators to prevent smudging until the polish is totally dry.
• Have fun with your pedicure and choose colors to match your spring outfit.
• If you're not sure about doing your own spring pedicure, have a professional do it at a spa. Prices vary dramatically from one spa to the next, so shop around if you're working within a tight budget.
• Clean the foot bath tub with disinfectant, then rinse and dry.

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