How to Achieve the Perfect Pedicure
Are you a bit of a ditz when it comes to painting your toenails? I used to be, too — until I discovered the best way to achieve the results I want. This almost fool-proof guide should help you get the perfect pedicure in less time than you think!
Step 1: Prep
Before you even bust out a bottle of nail polish, you need to prep those feet for what’s to come! Grab a large, wide bucket and fill it with soap and warm water. For an extra pampering experience, I like to throw in a few drops of essential oils like eucalyptus or lavender for a relaxing, spa-like effect. Soak your feet for about 10-15 minutes.
Step 2: Groom
After your feet are cleaned and prepped, grab a foot file or pumice stone and slough away dry, dead skin on your heels, the balls of your feet – anywhere you notice that needs a little work. Remove any old nail polish with a cotton ball or cosmetic pad soaked with nail polish remover, and then cut your toenails. Take care to only cut straight across! If you want, you can then use a nail file to smooth out the edges.
Apply a good amount of a moisturizing foot cream, massaging your feet and calves as you rub the product in. Remove any trace of the moisturizer from your toenails with a little water and allow to dry. Once you’ve completed these essential steps, you’re ready for polishing!
Step 3: Polish
Polishing will be the trickiest part of your pedicure, but guess what? It doesn’t have to be that hard anymore! Invest in a pair of those foam toe separators to allow space between your toes. This will help avoid a lot of polish mishaps.
Choose a color of polish that reflects well with current trends, or throw caution to the wind and pick a shade you like that matches your personality! You’ll also want a clear polish to use as a top coat and a base coat. Apply one base coat to each nail, moving from the middle of the nail outward and then one stroke on each side of the nail. Then apply two coats of your nail color and one coat of top coat, allowing each coat to dry before applying a new one.
Use a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover to clean up any nail polish that may have gone on the skin instead of the nail. To avoid chipping, apply a top coat every three days after your pedicure for super shiny, beautiful toenails!
That’s it! By following this step-by-step guide, you have all you need to achieve the perfect pedicure in minutes. It’s a lot easier than you might think, and the more you practice the better you’ll get. Say hello to pretty toes!
