How to Do a Pedicure on a Budget

Learn how to get a professional looking pedicure in the comfort of your own home. It's like a mini spa day, using supplies you may already have at home.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Luke warm soapy water (in a foot spa or bath tub)
• Finger nail polish remover
• Moisturizing lotion
• Bar of moisturizing soap
• Nail file
• Foot file or pumice stone
• Your favorite nail color
• Clear top coat
• Towel
• Toe divider or cotton balls

Are your toes still hibernating?

1. Do the pedicure at home. A pedicure can be expensive and time-consuming. Take your toes and turn them into happy campers. For starters, to get the best pedicure you HAVE to give your feet a bath. Be sure that all of your pedicure supplies are within arm's reach. Start by removing any nail color on your toes with the nail polish remover. Next, file your toe nails to your desired shape (square or oval) with your nail file. In a foot spa or bathtub, soak your feet in warm soapy water for about 10 mintues. Soaking your feet will allow your cuticles and the soles of your feet to soften. During this time, you can relax by reading a book, listening to music, or smelling the aroma of freshly scented candles.

2. Soak your feet for 10 minutes and then take the bar of soap and lather the first foot, leaving the other foot to soak in the meantime. Take the pumice stone or foot file and scrub from the top and sides of the foot until you have scrubbed the foot top to bottom. Repeat on the other foot until the heels are smooth. Rinse off both feet with warm water, remove from water and dry off completely with a towel.

3. Take your lotion and massage your feet until the skin on your feet has absorbed it. This will enable the perfect pedicure because your feet will be very soft. Take your toe divider or cotton balls and place in between your toes to prevent your toe nails from smearing. Get your favorite nail color and get prepared for painting your toes.

4. Start painting from the sides of your nails to the middle until you have painted all 10 toes. Be sure not to use too much polish when painting. Try removing some of the excess polish from the applicator by brushing the applicator on the inside of the nail polish bottle. Paint with short, steady strokes keeping your hand from moving and/or shaking. Repeat the process for a second coat. This step is to ensure that your pedicure will last for two full weeks. If the paint chips, you haven't achieved the perfect pedicure. The second coat of color will give you the perfect look.

5. Start painting the toes with clear top coat polish once you're certain the polish is dry. Only one coat is nesseary. Allow 6 minutes to dry completely. A hand held blow dryer can be used if you want to speed up the drying process. Once your soft, clean, moisturized toes have dried you have achieved the perfect budget friendly pedicure without the long wait at the nail salon. Always remember the perfect pedicure is just a tub way.