Busy moms know professional pedicures are tough to schedule, not to mention expensive. Why not do it yourself, instead? You’ll get salon-quality results without leaving home.
Gather Tools
Before you begin your pedicure, make sure you have the following tools:
- Toenail clippers
- Nail file
- Foot spa or wash basin
- Bath salts
- Cotton balls
- Nail polish remover
- Cuticle oil
- Pumice stone or exfoliating scrub
- Foot lotion
- Polish (base coat, color and top coat)
- Cotton swabs
- Quick-dry finishing spray
Set the Mood
Want to save time? Organize a salon-inspired station in advance.
- Place each of your tools within reach.
- Fill your foot spa or wash basin with warm water and bath salts.
- Keep a towel or two handy.
Get Started
Prepare and shape your nails with ease.
- Remove nail polish from toes using a cotton ball and polish remover.
- Cut your nails straight across to avoid ingrown nails. Then, use a nail file along the edges. This will help keep your nails smooth.
- Soak your feet for three minutes (or longer if you have the time). Soothe tired feet and soften skin with the added salts.
- Rub cuticle remover on the bed of each nail.
- If necessary, use cuticle clippers to remove any excess skin. Be careful not to get too close, or you may cut yourself.
Exfoliate
Choose a method to remove your feet’s dry skin.
- Use an exfoliating scrub.
- Scrub with a wet pumice stone.
After choosing your method of removal:
- Scrub the balls, heels and bottoms of your feet to remove dry skin.
- Rinse your feet in a foot spa, or use the faucet in your tub.
- Dry your feet with a clean towel.
Moisturize
After scrubbing, moisturize your feet and cuticles. It will soothe your skin.
- Apply foot lotion — perhaps in a peppermint scent — to soothe your feet. Have extra-dry feet? Use a heavy foot-moisturizing lotion.
- Apply cuticle oil to the beds of nails.
Polish
Follow these steps to polish your nails like a pro.
- Sweep nail-polish remover over the surface of your nails. It’ll remove any excess oil so the polish will adhere to your nails.
- Clean your hands with soap and water. Then dry.
- Apply a base coat. Wait one minute.
- Paint on one or two coats of your favorite quick-dry polish.
- Wait at least two minutes, and then finish with a quick-dry top coat.
- Fix mistakes using a cotton swab doused in nail-polish remover.
- Mist nails with a quick-dry spray.
Allow enough time for your polish to dry completely. Then, show ’em off in your favorite sandals or strappy heels.
