Summer is just around
the corner, which means it's time to say goodbye boots, hello sandals! But
before you bring out those little piggies, you probably need to get them ready
for their debut. We all know the cost of professionally done pedicures can add
up. That’s why WD asked expert Jin Soon from New York City’s Jin Soon Hand and
Foot Spa for her favorite product picks, summer’s hottest color trends and
essential pedicure tips so you can give yourself a salon-perfect pedi at home.
Check out our step-by-step guide that will get your feet ready for all the open-toe
shoes summer has to offer.
Things you need:
• Cotton pads
• Cuticle treatment and stain remover
• Base coat
• Epsom salt
• Your chosen nail polish color • Peppermint oil
• Top coat
• Clay foot mask
• Toe separators •
A terry cloth towel
• A Nail file,
Remove
old nail polish:
Although it may seem obvious, taking off your old
nail polish is an important first step to giving yourself a pedicure. It’ll be
hard to add a new color over the top of an old one! Use an acetone remover,
making sure to get the bits the bits along your cuticles as well.
Shape
your nails:
You need to trim and shape your nails. After removing
your old nail polish with the nail polish remover and trim your nails neatly.
Make sure you cut straight across and don't cut the corners too much, as this
can lead to painful ingrown nails. Use a nail file to give them the desired
shape.
Soak
your feet:
Now it gets fun! Fill a small tub, bowl or basin
with warm water, add some bubble bath and Epsom salts, then sit back and relax.
Soaking softens the skin, preparing it to be pumiced, filed and trimmed, and
the salts soothe tired, sore feet. Another option is scented oils which smell
wonderful, moisturize your skin and give you that spa feeling at home. You can
also buy commercial foot soaks, usually made with peppermint or eucalyptus
oils. Ten
minutes is a good amount of time to soak your feet. This softens your skin
without turning you into a raisin, and gives some moments to decadently relax
without wasting too much time. Keep your favorite gossip magazine handy for
this part of your pedicure.
Prepare
your cuticles.
Although this step is
optional, it can go a long way in making your toes better prepared for
painting. Use your orange stick/cuticle stick to gently push back the cuticle
around each nail. If you have cuticle trimmers, gently cut away the excess
cuticle skin that builds up over time. Rub on a little cuticle oil when you’re
finished to supplement the sensitive skin with a bit of added moisture.
Exfoliating:
The next step
is exfoliating. Once you are done with the foot bath, dry your feet and rub
some cuticle cream on the base of each toe nail. Leave it for a few minutes. In
the meanwhile, using a foot scrub and remove all the dry and dead skin cells.
Be firm but do not scrape too hard. Next, wipe off the cuticle cream and push
back the cuticles gently with a cuticle pusher.
Moisturize:
Once you are done scrubbing, wash your feet clean
and moisturize them. Moisturizing helps soften, hydrate the skin and protects
it from cracking. Rub a generous portion on your feet and massage well. Regular
foot massages also help keep nerve endings stimulated, improve blood circulation
and nourish the skin and foot muscles!
Paint your nails:
Now
it's time to look pretty. First, take a cotton pad dipped innail polish
remover, and swipe it across each toenail to remove any moisturizer or oils.
All that lubrication is great for your skin, but it doesn't help your polish
last.
A great purchase for a DIY pedicurist is a toe separator
that way, you can actually walk around with wet toenails rather than having to
stay still. Tissues or toilet paper works in a pinch but aren't as neat.
Test
the polish with your finger to see if it is still tacky; when it is totally
smooth to the touch and doesn’t smear under pressure, you’re finished! Go show
off your cute new toes, and relish your soft new feet.
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