Chipped polish and rough, cracked skin on your feet is a turn-off. Hiding terrible feet in shoes is not the way out. If going to the salon to have your pedicure done is tasking, do not fret because you can do it in the luxury of your home and would not spend the whole day. Here is how:
1. Remove old polish
Remove any lingering polish with a cotton round and nail-polish remover. If you don’t have any cotton rounds, you can use a paper towel, but this material isn’t as abrasive, so removal will require a bit more elbow grease.
2. Soak your feet
Fill your basin with warm water and a bath soak—Epsom salt is a great choice, especially for sore feet—and submerge. Let your feet sit for five to 10 minutes to soften your cuticles, then dry one foot at a time. If you have cuticle remover at home apply around the cuticles and onto heels to help smooth rough feet and remove calluses.
3. Trim and file your nails
Start with nail clippers to begin trimming. Don’t worry about perfecting the edges. Then, grab your file to soften and shape. If your heels or toes feel a bit rough, use a foot file or a pumice stone to gently smooth the skin and any calluses you might have.
4. Give yourself a little massage
Once both feet are dry and treated, apply a dollop of moisturizer for dry skin onto each foot. Massage your feet and toes for a few minutes—or as long as you’d like.
5. Prep your toes
Use a cotton pad to remove any excess oily residue—this helps polish last longer. Simply grab a piece of paper towel and twist it into a rope, weaving it through your toes.
6. Apply a thin layer of base coat
Don’t skip this step—it’s crucial if you want your pedicure to last, since the base coat is what provides a barrier between the natural oils from your nails and the polish. If you’re having trouble reaching your toes, prop your leg up on another table or a chair. Just be sure to lay a towel down to prevent any spills and resulting stains on your furniture.
7. Apply polish
Once the base coat has dried, apply to a thin coat of your colour of choice. Let dry, then apply a second thin coat of colour. If you’re having trouble painting tiny toes, try to separate them more to get a better vantage point. Putting less polish on the brush can also help keep things tidy.
8. Don’t forget the topcoat
Another crucial step to make polish last: the topcoat. A thin layer of the top coat helps seal everything in and prevents premature chipping. Let dry—do a touch test at 10 to 15 minutes, though 20 to 30 minutes is ideal, particularly if you’re putting socks or shoes on.