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Giving yourself a pedicure isn't easy, but with the right tools, tips, and tricks, you can totally get it done. I recommend you sit somewhere that you can perch your food up on a stool for a better view. Here's your basic guide to giving yourself an at-home pedicure.
Remove Old Polish
Saturate a cotton ball or pad with nail polish remover, and gently rub over each toenail to remove polish. I like to use pure acetone (as most nail salons do) since it's strong and will remove polish easiest.
Saturate a cotton ball or pad with nail polish remover, and gently rub over each toenail to remove polish. I like to use pure acetone (as most nail salons do) since it's strong and will remove polish easiest.
Soak Your Feet
Fill a bowl with warm water and add a foot soak or bath oil. Apply cuticle remover to your cuticles and then dip your feet into the warm water for a few minutes to soften up your skin.
Fill a bowl with warm water and add a foot soak or bath oil. Apply cuticle remover to your cuticles and then dip your feet into the warm water for a few minutes to soften up your skin.
Exfoliate Feet
Using a pumice stone, foot scrub, or other tool of choice, slough away any dead skin on your feet, especially on the heels, until they feel smooth. Never use a pumice stone on dry skin, as they're designed to work on wet skin for safety.
Using a pumice stone, foot scrub, or other tool of choice, slough away any dead skin on your feet, especially on the heels, until they feel smooth. Never use a pumice stone on dry skin, as they're designed to work on wet skin for safety.
Push Back Cuticles
Thoroughly wash and dry your feet, and then use an orange stick or metal cuticle pusher's flat edge to push cuticles gently back toward the base of each toenail.
Thoroughly wash and dry your feet, and then use an orange stick or metal cuticle pusher's flat edge to push cuticles gently back toward the base of each toenail.
Cut Your Cuticles
If you cut your cuticles (you don't have to!) use a cuticle nipper to gently clip away excess cuticle skin. Never push down or apply pressure, as you're likely to cut yourself if you do.
If you cut your cuticles (you don't have to!) use a cuticle nipper to gently clip away excess cuticle skin. Never push down or apply pressure, as you're likely to cut yourself if you do.
Apply Cuticle Oil
Brush cuticle oil on to seal in moisture and help smooth out cuticles further.
Brush cuticle oil on to seal in moisture and help smooth out cuticles further.
Cut and File Nails
Use a toenail clipper to cut nails to your desired length first. Then, use a coarse grit file to smooth nails across the edge, filing around the corners to ensure there are no snags.
Use a toenail clipper to cut nails to your desired length first. Then, use a coarse grit file to smooth nails across the edge, filing around the corners to ensure there are no snags.
Clean the Nail Surface
Swipe toenails again with a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover to completely remove any remaining residue from nails. This ensures that there's no oil left behind that can make it difficult for the polish to adhere later.
Swipe toenails again with a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover to completely remove any remaining residue from nails. This ensures that there's no oil left behind that can make it difficult for the polish to adhere later.
Use Toe Separators
These convenient foam separators snap in place between toes to keep them separated before applying nail polish. You can also twist a paper towel and weave it in between toes, alternating going over an under each toe. The purpose of this is so that one toe doesn't knock into the other and smudge the polish after you apply it.
These convenient foam separators snap in place between toes to keep them separated before applying nail polish. You can also twist a paper towel and weave it in between toes, alternating going over an under each toe. The purpose of this is so that one toe doesn't knock into the other and smudge the polish after you apply it.
Apply Base Coat
Apply one coat of base coat to each toenail, using the formula of your choice.
Apply one coat of base coat to each toenail, using the formula of your choice.
Apply Nail Color
Apply a coat of nail polish to each nail, starting as close as possible toward the base of the nail without touching the cuticle, and then sweeping the color out toward the tip. Repeat on either side until you've covered the entire nail.
Apply a coat of nail polish to each nail, starting as close as possible toward the base of the nail without touching the cuticle, and then sweeping the color out toward the tip. Repeat on either side until you've covered the entire nail.
Apply Top Coat
After your two coats of nail polish, apply a top coat to add a shiny finish.
After your two coats of nail polish, apply a top coat to add a shiny finish.
Use a Quick-Dry Product
Spray on a quick-dry oil (or use drops, if you prefer) to help polish resist smudging as it dries. Avoid wearing shoes for at least an hour. Many salons will apply a generous coat of quick-dry oil and then wrap your feet loosely in plastic wrap before you put your socks and shoes back on. I still don't recommend this, as toes are especially prone to smudging. It's best to give yourself a pedicure at home, at nighttime, when you know you'll be able to relax for a while and don't have to go anywhere afterward.
Spray on a quick-dry oil (or use drops, if you prefer) to help polish resist smudging as it dries. Avoid wearing shoes for at least an hour. Many salons will apply a generous coat of quick-dry oil and then wrap your feet loosely in plastic wrap before you put your socks and shoes back on. I still don't recommend this, as toes are especially prone to smudging. It's best to give yourself a pedicure at home, at nighttime, when you know you'll be able to relax for a while and don't have to go anywhere afterward.
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