Home » Pedicure Tips
Perfect Pedicures in 12 Simple Steps
- Basin or tub
- Foot Soak, Epsom salt or bath salts
- Pumice footstone
- Small brush
- Nail polish remover / cotton balls
- Nail polish
- Base coat for nails
- Top coat for nails
- Clippers
- File
- Orangewood stick (Cuticle stick)
- Lotion
- Foot scrub treatment
Whether
you are in the mood to pamper yourself or just starting to get dolled
up, a pedicure can be one of the most soothing and relaxing body
treatments after a long day. If you find yourself surrounded by
unavoidable stress factors day-to-day, wash your cares away with a
pedicure! Just follow these easy steps:
Step 1:
Begin to fill a basin (or your bathtub) with several inches of warm
water. Add desired amount of foot soak, bath salts or Epsom salt so
that it dissolves in the water as the tub fills.
Step
2: While the tub is filling, remove any old polish from your toes with
nail polish remover and cotton balls. If necessary, clip and file nails
to desired shape and length.
Step 3: Grab a good
book or magazine, turn on some music, or just sit back and enjoy the
warm water on your tired feet. Soak for as long as you like, but at
least 5-10 minutes.
Step 4: Using the small
brush, gently buff one foot first and then the other. This will help to
remove some dead skin cells and also to soften your feet.
Step
5: Using a foot scrub (Freemans makes a great one-Barefeet: Plum and
Pumice foot scrub), massage the cream onto your feet, paying special
attention to your heels and any rough spots. This will further soften
and exfoliate.
Step 6: A pumice footstone can
work wonders for dry and rough feet! Use this inexpensive extra to
eliminate remaining rough spots. Dip feet after this step.
Step
7: Remove both feet from the tub and dry feet with towel. Massage your
favorite lotion onto them. (Some companies even have a line of foot
massage lotions!)
Step 8: Using orangewood stick, gently push your cuticles back along the nail. They should be supple due to the soaking.
Step
9: If you wish to paint your toenails, you can use toe separators to
facilitate the process. Apply a base coat of nail polish to fill in the
ridges and uneven surfaces. Base coats are generally clear or slightly
opaque and they help to strengthen the nail to avoid breakage.
Step
10: Choose your desired shade of nail polish and apply. Allow first
coat to dry and repeat. (Hint: For touch-ups, dip a Q-tip in the nail
polish remover and gently swab away the unwanted color.)
Step 11: Apply a crystal-clear topcoat to add shine and to protect color from chipping.
Step
12: Enjoy your smooth, soft feet and beautified toes! You are now ready
to sport your favorite sandals or cozy up at home in your comfiest
slippers. Whatever the occasion, your feet will look and feel great!
Approximate Time Required: 45 minutes to an hour, depending on personal preference
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