Whether you want to save money or you can’t get to a salon, you have to read on to discover these at home pedicure hacks for salon-quality results. Although there is nothing wrong with all natural feet, I love having soft, cared for feet, and even cute painted toes! There is something fun about looking down and seeing a color you love, one that calms you, or a design that makes you happy. Keeping your feet healthy is important even if you don’t like paint on your toes. Plus, caring for yourself head to toe can make you happy.
If you often paint your nails, the first step is to remove old nail polish. It’s important to do this first so you have a clean palette!
You have to utilize this step of the at home pedicure hacks! It is essential! I recommend taking a nice, long, relaxing bath to sooth your whole body, but soaking your feet in a bowl, bucket, or even the tub will work just as well if you soak for at least twenty minutes. It’s important to soak your feet in nice warm-to-hot water with some epsom salt to loosen dead skin cells and soften the nail bed. In my opinion, my soak at home works even better than the quick little method they use at the salons.
After you’ve softened up your feet, take an all natural pumice stone to your feet. It’s important to have a gentle, frothing, moisturizing soap for your exfoliation. I usually cover my feet in a a layer of suds, dip my pumice stone in the hot water, and gently scrub my heel, arch, ball, and each toe. Usually circular motions, I’ve found, is more comfortable and more effective than the rigorous back and forth motions they use at the salons.
After you get out of the bath, your nails and skin will be soft and easy to care for. Take out your nail clippers and trim up those nails, followed by a file to shape and smooth the rough edges. Shaping is really important because it determines how well your nails and your nail polish will grow out. With a nice curve, you will be able to keep the same polish on for longer.
You will also need a cuticle trimmer to clean up the nail bed. I like this kind because it doesn’t create a jagged edge. Be gentle, and don’t trim away too much because you can cause your cuticles to bleed. Just gently trim away the skin resting on the nail as if shoveling fluffy snow. It should be that easy after soaking in the bath.
After soaking your feet, you must moisturize them! They are at their most absorbent post-bath, but the clip and trim portion of the at home pedicure hacks is much more difficult when your hands, feet, and tools are slippery. That’s why you wait until after.
I usually use a nice cream because oils feel too thin. Lately, I’ve been using this foot specific cream, which has a delicious, earthy scent and is extremely thick. You don’t need that much, so the tube lasts a really long time. It feels a little slimy on, but I usually slip my moisturized feet into some soft socks or rest them on a towel to absorb for a while. It’s important to wait so that your feet absorb the moisture, and so your nails won’t be too slippery to paint.
At this point in the at home pedicure hacks, it is time to break out your toe separators. I highly recommend getting some. They really make a big difference, especially if your toes lean together and mess each other up all the time.
If I’ve been painting my nails a lot, I usually swipe on a nail strengthener or serum to keep my nails healthy. Try this one, which I have liked a lot! It also gets great reviews. Use a towel to wipe away the residue of the cream on each nail, then paint a thin layer on. Let dry.
A good base coat is a true at home pedicure hack. Base coats will help prevent your nail color from seeping into your nails and causing discoloration. I use this one, applying a thin layer and letting it dry. Note: it’s clear, not pink like the photo appears.
Generally, when I am drying my nails, I wait for a half hour each coat because I literally always mess them up by thinking they are dry before they are. Not waiting enough time in general can be the culprit, but honestly, waiting a little longer between each coat makes way more sense to me. I find that watching a show that doesn’t require my full attention is a great way to pass the time as I paint. You can also read in between coats!
Time for color! If you want some color, make sure that you are waiting a half hour between each coat so the nail polish doesn’t end up smudging. The key to these at home pedicure hacks is never rushing. Your self care time should be relaxing, so never paint when you’re in a hurry; you will be able to see the hastiness! I would recommend applying two coats with most colors. Even the darkest colors can have spots when you paint on the first coat!
Another piece of this at home pedicure hack is getting a tool like this one to clean up the edges. You can reuse it over and over, and I swear to you, it is way better than any toothpick or cotton swab you’ve been using.
Using a top coat is essential for getting that nice glisten on your nails, and for protecting your colored polish from chipping. For this coat, too, you should wait a half hour to avoid smudging. I use this one. Use the manicure/pedicure tool to clean up the edges!
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