Our feet carry us through life.  We should treat them like it.  Most people enjoy a nice pedicure at a spa.  It is relaxing, refreshing and your polish is always perfect.  If you are one of those people who don't like the spa, or want to learn how to maintain in between spa visits follow these tips at home. 

You should be aware of nail disorders, you can find them in the manicure section.

DIY Pedicure 

You'll Need

• A pan large enough to soak your feet in (A plastic dish pan works really well) or if you have a fancy foot soaker you can use that.  Just remember most foot soakers do not allow you to use any foot soaking salts or other products.  Read the manufacturers label before using product in your soaker.

• Cuticle remover solution.  You can find this at most Beauty supply stores 

• Foot soak, soaking foot salts or a few drops of peppermint essential oil.

• A Cuticle Pusher or a Birchwood stick wrapped in cotton

• Nail file

• 3-way buffer

• Foot cream My Favorite

• Cuticle treatment cream or oil

• Base coat, nail color, top coat   

• Pumice stone or foot file 

• Nail scrub brush 

• Nail polish remover and cotton pads

Step 1

(Always start with clean nails and remove polish). Fill your soaker with warm water and dissolve foot soak solution

Step 2

File your nails before putting them in the water.  You may think this is backwards, but I have found that the nails file better when they are not softened by the water, and the little bits you get under your nails after filing get cleaned away in the water. Apply cuticle remover to the cuticles, massage in and wait 2 minutes.

Step 3

Soak feet for art least 10 minutes.

Step 4

Dry one foot (or both if it is more comfortable) and push back the cuticles.  Follow up with the pumice stone or foot file and slough off all of the hard dead skin, and callous.  Be sure to not overdo it.  Taking off too much skin can cause pain.  Our bodies natural defense system creates callous on the areas that are constantly in distress, therefore you need to leave some callous for protection.

Repeat this step on the other foot.

Step 5

Use your scrub brush to clean under the nails and gently on the nail itself.  Use 3-way buffer to smooth nails, starting with the roughest side and move to the softest side.  The softest buffing side will add a natural sheen to the nail which helps if you want to skip polish.  Don't over buff nails, this will cause them to thin and become brittle.  You should only buff once a month or less.

Step 6

Dry both feet completely and always remember to dry thoroughly between toes.  (Everyday).

Apply cuticle oil to the cuticles and nails and massage in well.

Step 7

Apply a generous amount of foot cream and massage in well.  When massaging, focus on the arch of the foot, the ankles and any spots that are sore and tired.  Use only the amount of pressure that is comfortable for you.  Too much pressure can cause pain instead of ease it.

Step 8

Use a cotton or Kleenex to remove the oily residue on the nails (Otherwise your polish won't adhere), and begin with your base coat, 2-3 coats of polish and then top coat.  Allow for proper drying in between coats, or your polish won't last long.

You can touch up your polish with some top coat every few days to keep it looking fresh.

To see tools and their descriptions visit the miscellaneous section.