Although not all of these tools are absolutely required, having all of them will result in a salon-finish at-home pedicure, rather than an amateur one.
Some manicure and pedicure kits are designed for professionals, and will contain tools you will likely not use. Purchase the basic needs for your at-home pedicure, leaving salon-grade tools to the professionals. Do not assume cheaper means better; although you do not need a set of professional pedicure set, you do not want a set that is flimsy, either. Test the strength of the tools, and make sure the metal is thick enough to resist bending.
Ideally, use a bucket that can house both of your feet simultaneously. Although you can soak one foot at a time, soaking both feet at the same time will be more comfortable and will make the process go by more quickly.
If possible, do your pedicure on a hard surface, such as tile or linoleum, as these are water-resistant. If you are working on carpet or wood, clean up any spills quickly. Choose towels you don’t mind getting dirty or worn down. Although you will want to avoid a spill of any of your ingredients, they do happen, and both nail polish and nail polish remover stain fabric.
If you struggle to multitask, put in some classical music to avoid cutting your nails too short or spilling your ingredients.
Do not scrub until you feel pain; the idea is to remove dead skin, not still-living tissue. If you begin to feel pain or discomfort, you have removed the dead skin, and should move on to the next area. While you may prefer to soak your feet first and scrub second, most callus removal tools are designed to be used on dry skin. If you choose to soak first, make sure your feet are completely dry before scrubbing.
If you’d like a more relaxing foot bath, you can include a few drops of lavender or cedarwood oil, both of which are used to induce relaxation and may have antibacterial properties.
If you must do one foot at a time, be sure to complete the soaking and cleaning process entirely on one side before moving to the next.
Make sure your clippers are not dull, as using dull clippers can also encourage ingrown toenails. If you find it difficult to cut through your nail, sharpen your clippers.
Opt for a 180- or 240-grit nail file since they’re more gentle and you won’t be as likely to split a nail. [6] X Expert Source Marta NagorskaNail Artist Expert Interview. 29 July 2019.
If your feet are naturally dry, use a thicker lotion or oil, such as olive oil. This will help seal in moisture and ward off calluses and dead skin buildup. If your feet are naturally oily or moist, a thin lotion or lighter oil such as coconut oil will be a better fit.
Again, this is an important step. Failing to soften your cuticles with cream before pushing them down could result in tearing or otherwise damaging your nail and cuticle. Be sure to properly moisturize before working on your cuticles.
Follow this pattern on each of your nails, no matter how small. Using this technique provides an even all-over application, and will prevent streaking and clumping.
Letting your nails dry properly will mean the difference between a long-lasting pedicure, and one that flakes or chips within a few days. If you do not let your polish dry completely between coats or before your topcoat, your polish will be prone to smudging and scraping.
Choose a thin, clear topcoat. A heavy topcoat will only add bulk and increase the likelihood of smudging. If you do add a second layer of topcoat, keep the brushstrokes thin and long, and wipe any excess off of the brush before applying.
If you shower daily, wash your feet daily and follow up with moisturizer. Even if you don’t shower daily, clean and moisturize your feet each night.
