How to Give Yourself a Perfect Home Pedicure

Nothing finishes off your look better than a perfect pedicure. Follow these tips for toes worth showing off.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Large Bowl
• Nail Enamel - 1 clear and 1 colored
• Nail Enamel Remover
• Olive Oil or Cuticle Cream
• Cuticle Stick or clean Popsicle Stick
• Foot Scrub
• Pumice Stone or Pad
• Epsom Salt
• Nail Clippers
• White Vinegar
• Emery Board
• Cotton Ball or Facial Tissues
• Towel

1. Begin by removing old nail enamel. Cotton balls work better for this as the tissues tend to fall apart.

2. 
    

   Fill the bowl with warm water and Epsom Salt. Soak your feet for 10 minutes.

3. Dry feet with a clean towel and apply cuticle cream or olive oil to soften the cuticles. Let this sit for a moment.

4. 
    

   While waiting for cuticles to soften, exfoliate feet and heels with a pumice stone or pumice pad. Then remove dry skin from feet and legs using a foot scrub. (You can make your own using a cup of Epsom Salt and about a tablespoon of Olive Oil). Massage the scrub onto your feet and calves.

5. 
    

   Trim nails with a nail clipper. Always cut the nails straight across, NEVER slant them down at the sides. Smooth uneven edges or sharp points with an emery board or nail file.

6. 
    

   Using a cuticle stick (or a clean popsicle stick), push back your cuticles. Be careful not to break the skin.

7. Wipe the nails with undiluted white vinegar. This will remove all traces of oil and keep the enamel from bubbling. Let dry.

8. Use toe pads, wrap facial tissue between toes or place packing peanuts between toes. This will keep the enamel from smudging as it dries.

9. 
    

   Apply a clear coat of enamel as a base, followed by two thin coats of your favorite colored enamel. Finish off with another coat of clear for a top coat. Let dry completely.

10. 
     

    Finish off by applying lotion to legs and feet. Then pause to admire your results!

Tips & Warnings

• Keep your nail enamel in a cool dry place - such as the refrigerator. It will last longer.
• Darker shades look great on toes.
• Don't shake the enamel bottle to mix. This causes bubbles. Instead, roll the bottle in your palms.

[jkmom2007]

on 4/20/2009 Great article! I'm going to do it this weekend!

[2besure]

on 2/6/2009 Boy do I need one! Thanks.

[brandy1123]

on 1/18/2009 great article for tired feet

[OmMom]

on 8/27/2008 My feet loved this article!

[Susanh]

on 8/27/2008 Wonderful article. I especially like the use of natural ingredients for some of the steps.