How to Do a Professional Pedicure & Manicure

Pamper yourself.

Pretty hands and feet say a lot. Women and men alike can enjoy a relaxing manicure and pedicure. When the weather warms up and you put on your open-toed shoes, a professional pedicure is a must. Your feet and hands should be pampered, considering how much you use them. You can visit a spa for the services---or save the cash by doing them yourself, and enjoy a night out on the town.

Things You'll Need

• Cotton balls
• Cotton swab
• Nail polish remover
• Nail Brush
• Towel
• Foot bath pan
• Bowl
• Fine grade emery board
• Nail Clipper
• Cuticle remover
• Cuticle pusher
• Toe separator
• Foot soak
• Pumice stone
• Cuticle oil
• Alcohol
• Polish base coat
• Nail polish
• Top coat
• Soap
• Skin cream or lotion

Instructions

1. Remove all the nail polish from your fingernails and toenails using a cotton ball saturated with nail polish remover.

2. File your toenails straight across once they are dry. Clip away the corners of your toenails with a nail clipper if the nail digs into the skin. File your toenails until they are the shape you desire, but do not file too low, as that can be painful. Follow the same steps for your fingernails.

3. Fill a foot bath pan with warm water, and add a foot soak or Epsom salts. Soak your feet for at least five minutes to soften your skin and cuticles. Soak your hands by placing warm water and Epsom salts into a bowl. Feel free to complete the steps for your manicure after completing your pedicure.

4. Apply cuticle remover to the cuticles around your toenails and gently massage them. Use a cuticle pusher to push the cuticles back; avoid being too rough so that cuticles are not damaged. Cuticles create a seal that prevents germs from entering and causing an infection in the skin. The same steps should be followed for the cuticles around your fingernails.

5. Rub your feet with a pumice stone to remove any callous skin on the bottom. Never use a blade on your feet---an open cut will be susceptible to infection.

6. Clean under your nails with a nail brush.

7. Massage your feet and hands with a cream or lotion.

8. Rinse your feet with warm soap and water. Dry thoroughly with a towel. After massaging your hands, wash and dry them as well. This is a good time to pour out the water in your foot bath and hand bowl.

9. Remove any oil from the nail beds using a cotton ball and alcohol. Any oil left on the nail will prevent the polish from adhering to the nail.

10. Place a toe separator on each foot and apply a base coat to your nails. This will help the polish adhere to your nails, and help prevent dark polish from staining your nails.

11. Apply two coats of your color nail polish. Use thin, even coats. Allow each coat to dry for two minutes.

12. Apply your top coat. A top coat will add shine and help your nail color last longer by preventing chipping.

13. Clean up any polish around the nail bed using a cotton swab and nail polish remover.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a cream or lotion on your feet daily to keep them soft and moisturized between pedicures.

References

• Beauty Den: Professional Manicure and Pedicure Tips
• Hooked on Nails: Pedicure Procedures