* Make sure all your pedicure tools are on hand and clean. Tools should be replaced regularly to avoid nail injury or infection.
* Soak feet in warm water for at least 10-15 minutes. Rough or cracked feet require more soaking time to soften calluses or dry patches of skin. Add milk to the water to help loosen dead skin.
* Use a pumice stone or foot file to gently scrape off any hard or dead skin. Hint: a wet pumice stone is gentler on skin, yet still effective in removing hardened patches
* Moisturize and massage feet, heels and ankles using a cream like Topricin Foot Therapy Cream. The Foot Therapy Cream softens hard patches with the added benefit of relief from foot aches and pains. Daily use of the cream will prevent skin from drying and cracking.
* Cutting and filing toenails is much easier if done after soaking and moisturizing because the nails are soft. Do not cut nails too short- just below the top of the toe is the perfect length.
* Use a damp paper-towel or a dab of nail polish remover to wipe off any oils from the nails.
* Polish toes with the color of your choice. A clear base coat painted before using a dark polish color will prevent nail staining. Applying a clear topcoat makes the pedicure last longer and protects polish against chipping.
So who else does their own pedicures? What works for you?
6 comments:
I do my own pedicures in the winter and every other week in the summer. Right now I'm also using Lush's Volcano foot mask to sort out my dry skin on my feet as well. It's messy, but it does work!
I didnt know cutting toenails would be easier after a soak, I'll have to try that out :)
Scarlett, I have never heard of a foot mask. Perhaps I should investigate :)
Silhouette, please do! Great help :)
I do the same things, I do my own a lot, I love saving the money and I know the stuff is sanitary! I have special lotions galore for my feet and they're all great, Joan Rivers makes something called Absolute Magic or something like that. I use another one that I can't quite remember the name right now...
J-ezzy, it feels great to save on at least a little something, especially when you are spending so much on other things.
Thanks for the Joan Rivers tip, will look into it :)
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