Do It Yourself Pedicure

Pedicures are a great way to treat yourself.  Going to a spa or salon is great, but remember they aren’t your only option.  Giving yourself a pedicure is a fun, easy way to pamper yourself (inexpensively) and get your feet ready for all those cute summer sandals.

1. First, soak your feet in a tub of warm water for 5-10 minutes.  You may want to add some bubble bath, essential oils or Epsom salts as well, to give yourself that “spa feeling.”  (You can listen to your favourite music or read a magazine while your feet soak , for a little extra relaxation.)
2. While your feet are still wet, use a pumice stone to remove rough, dry skin from your heels, balls of your feet and the outsides of your pinkie toes.
3. Rinse your feet and pat them dry.
4. Remove old nail polish using a cotton ball and cut your toenails straight across.  Once you’ve cut them, round the edges with a nail file; this will help avoid unsightly and painful ingrown toenails.
5. Don’t cut your cuticles; you can easily damage them, which could lead to an infection.  Instead, rub a drop or two of olive oil into the nail beds, then use a cuticle pusher to push them back.
6. “Wash” your feet with an exfoliating scrub.  This will remove any excess dry skin and help clear off the area where your cuticle was.  (Alternatively, you could use a nail brush for this.)
7. Pat your feet dry and slather on a rich moisturizing lotion.
8. Use a foam toe separator and apply two coats of nail polish to each toenail.  (Allow the first coat to dry before applying the second.)  If you have any misses, use a Q-tip soaked in nail polish to clean them up.  For summer, bright, fun shades of nail polish are your best bet. (Here’s a tip—if you don’t have a toe separator, you can twist a Kleenex into a long, tight rope and lace it between your toes).
9. Apply a top coat, put on your flip-flops, and you’re ready to go!