The Perfect At-Home Pedicure

I'll let you in on a little secret. Lean in real close, OK?

Nail techs at your local salon don't have any magical tools or skills to give you a pedicure that you yourself don't possess. GASP!!!

Every time I give myself a pedicure, I tell my hubby, "I just saved us forty bucks." $12, $25, $50, whatever--it's money in my pocket. I buy a $4 bottle of nail polish every-other month or so and maybe a new file here and there but once I assembled all my tools (for under $20), I was set to give myself a year of pedicures. And no one believes that I do it myself. You have the power to make your feet beautiful!!! Save the pedicures for special occasions and use that money on new flip-flops!!

So! To commemorate the holiday weekend and what is perhaps the official start to sandal season (it's sandal season in AZ 12 months out of the year), here is my tried and true "15 Steps to the Perfect Pedicure." This is not a "change your polish and go" pedicure, ladies. Your feet will look and feel like you just left the salon.

Here's what you need to assemble before you start, or maybe a trip to the local drug store is in order. Just remind your hubby about that money you're saving!! All the tools that you can use for at least 6 month will cost a tiny fraction of a pro pedicure!

TOOLS:
1. polish remover. If your polish is extra-stubborn (which some of the more expensive brands are), get the pure acetone one.

2. cuticle sticks (a.k.a. orange sticks)

3. scissors or clippers

4. good nail file

5. nail file with a fine surface (or a buffing block)

6. pumice stone or other callous remover

7. foot bath or plastic tub (or a bath tub!)

8. exfoliating foot scrub

9. foot lotion

10. nail polish (I prefer Revlon, L'oreal and OPI because they don't have the harmful ingredients)

11. toe separators, if desired

12. clear top coat

And here are the 15 steps. Yes, there are a lot but it makes all the difference!! Start checking out the nail section of your favorite stores--there's a lot of fun tools out there AND cute nail decals that really give you that professional touch!

15 STEPS:
1. remove old nail polish
2. push cuticles back with orange stick and gently scrape away dead skin
3. trim toenails to desired length
4. file toenails into desired shape
5. use fine file or buffer to smooth nail surface (removing small remnants of polish, dead skin and ridges)
6. use pumice or foot file around toenails to remove dead skin
7. soak feet in warm water (add salts or oils if desired)
8. when skin is soft, use pumice or foot file on calluses, paying special attention to heels, ball of feet and beneath big toe
9. apply foot scrub (it can be made by simply adding olive oil to salt or sugar)
10. remove and dry feet; apply lotion (you may want to leave it on overnight before continuing)
11. remove lotion from toenails with nail polish remover so the polish adheres better
12. apply toe separators
13. apply polish, allowing to dry between coats. After second coat, apply nail decals, if desired.
14. once dry, apply top coat
15. remove errant polish with a cotton swab
Enjoy your beautiful feet!!

Happy pedicuring, ladies! Let me know if you try it!