Our feet are mostly safely tucked away inside shoes and a pair of socks. As such, it is easy to neglect foot care – only trimming the toenails every now and then.
But your feet deserve all the pampering they can get. After all, they help you go through the world. Even while not visible, beautiful feet can fill you with confidence and joy.
A professional pedicure once a month is amazing. However, if you cannot get to the nail salon or you are operating on a tight budget, a DIY pedicure will do just fine. Below is your guide to a successful DIY pedicure.
Before you get started, get in the mood by putting on relaxing music and lighting some candles. You can also get yourself a glass of wine.
Gather everything you will need before getting started. Nothing spoils the mood like having to run around looking for a pair of clippers or polish mid-session.
You will need nail clippers, a file, a base coat, a topcoat, and some very bouncy lacquer at the very least. Other items, like a foot bath, cuticle oil, and a foot file for eliminating calluses, will make your treatment more therapeutic.
Step 1: Remove old nail polish and soak your feet: The first step in this process is to soak your feet in warm water to soften the cuticles and dead skin cells on your soles. Add some Epsom salt, vinegar, or lemon juice. Use a pumice stone to gently slough off dead skin cells from the soles of your feet.
Step 2: Trim your nails: After cleaning your feet, it is time to get down to business. Trim your toenails straight across with sharp clippers. Use a file and buffer to shape and even out your nails. Move the nail file from the corner toward the centre, moving in one direction.
Step 3: Push back cuticles: Pay special attention to your cuticles. You can use an orange stick to push them back. Do not be tempted to trim and cut your own cuticles – leave that for the pros.
You are likely to do a bad job, increasing the risk of infection. Instead, work a few drops of cuticle oil into them. Cuticle oil will improve the health of your cuticles and nails.
Step 4: Give yourself a massage: Use Jojoba or Vitamin E oil to give yourself a relaxing foot massage. If you do not have oil, your body lotion will do. Start by massaging your toes, feet, and ankles. Remove any excess oily residue on your toenails residue with a cotton pad soaked with rubbing alcohol before applying a base coat. Excess oil can prevent your polish from sticking.
Step 5: Apply a base coat and let it dry. Do not skip this step – the base coat acts as a barrier between your nails and actual polish. It protects your nails from staining and helps your pedicure last longer.
Step 6: Now it is the fun part – applying your favourite nail polish! Shake the nail polish bottle before opening it to get rid of clumps. Wipe one side of the brush clean as you pull it out of the bottle and fan it out down the neck. Using the other side of the brush, lightly tap off any excess polish.
Move the brush across the centre of the nail, from cuticle to tip, in one smooth stroke. This will provide an even application of polish throughout the entire nail surface without applying too much. Let the first coat dry before adding a second one.
Step 7: Finish off with a top coat to give your toenails some shine. Sip your drink as you wait for your polish to dry.
Expert tip: Before applying nail polish, make an outline around the cuticle with acetone polish remover and a clean, fine tip brush. Doing this will keep stray polish away from the skin for a professional appearance.
Go the extra mile and give yourself a foot scrub every week. While at it, throw in a massage – it will boost blood flow in your legs and feet. Regular massages also aid in the recovery of foot and ankle injuries.
If you desire to have soft, smooth feet make wearing socks a habit. Regularly wearing socks protects your feet from dust, grime, and other elements that cause dryness and cracking. It is also important to go for comfortable shoes that leave your toes with enough wiggle room.
