Tips for the Perfect Pedicure

A DIY pedicure is perfectly possible with just a few tools and by following these simple steps. For long lasting color, try Salon Expert Nail Color.

1) Start with naked nails: Take off old nail polish with a non-acetone polish remover.
2) Give them shape: Clip your nails straight across. To file, avoid a sawing motion, instead, slide from corner to center, softly rounding the edges. Try not to file the sides too much – it can weaken your nails and cause hangnails. Then rub a buffer over nails, the smoother the nails are, the better the paint adheres.
3) Clean up: Use a soft toothbrush and liquid soap.
4) Soak it: Scoop a teaspoon of foot salts into a bowl of warm water, then soak your feet for about 5 minutes to soften skin.
5) Smooth the rough spots: For calloused feet, wet a pumice stone or foot file and buff away rough spots.
6) Keep it soft: Rub cuticle cream into nails and toes. Massage a capsule of vitamin E into nail beds daily after a pedicure – the extra hydration helps prevent splits and hangnails.
7) Push them back: Gently nudge cuticles back with a warm washcloth or cotton wrapped orangewood stick.
8) Feel good: Give yourself a foot massage with a good, Vitamin E-enriched lotion.
9) Clean up, part deux: Use a non-acetone polish remover to clean the nailbed of any remaining cuticle cream or moisturizing lotion – your nails shouldn’t be greasy when you’re about to apply the nail polish.
10) Apply base: Apply a clear base coat over your clean, dry nails to prevent discoloration and to prolong the life of your polish. Let nails dry before applying color.
11) Apply color: Start by wiping the brush against the inside of the bottle neck to remove excess polish.
12) Paint with precision: Paint a line down the middle of the nail, leaving a little space at the base of the nail. Then fill out the nail by painting a band on each side of the center line. Allow polish to dry
13) Apply second coat: Add a second coat using the same technique. This will take your polish to its full color potential and will also help the first coat form a better bond to the nail. Let nails dry.
14) Add top coat: Seal your nails with shine and make your manicure last longer by applying a single layer of clear top coat.