DIY Pedicure

Pamper yourself or someone you love while saving a load of cash.

Even if you're a novice nail painter, these tips will help you get professional results at home without investing in a lot of materials or equipment.

This instructable was one of the sweetest gifts I've ever received from my honey. You can be sure his kindness, patience, and willingness will be repaid!

Step 1: Materials

Below is a suggested list of materials. Some things you might already have or may decide you don't want. The great thing is, it doesn't take a lot to get great results. And what you buy today will last for several pedicures to come!

Toolz:

• Nail polish

Tip: go for a neutral color if you're new to nail painting -- mistakes won't be as noticeable!

• Clear coat nail polish - this will add durability and shine to your paint job. Consider this like the clear coat protective finish to your car.
• Tub large enough to submerge both feet at once
• Plush bath towel
• Bath bubbles or epsom salts
• Lotion
• Pumice stone
• Nail shaping implements - clippers, files, emery boards, orange sticks (cuticle pushers), whatever looks appealing and you feel comfortable using
• Tissue

Tip: lay tissue under the feet when it comes time for painting. It will protect the surface under the feet from any drips and is within instant reach to correct any mistakes. It can also be used in place of toe separators!

• Cotton swabs
• Nail polish remover

Tip: cotton swabs + polish remover = quick fix for any mistakes! Opt for acetone-free remover in one of the many scents they offer to avoid nail-salon-stink

Optional but awesome:

• Toe spreaders (can usually be found at drug stores)
• Cuticle remover lotion
• Candles
• Flowers

Awesome tip: you can often get discarded rose petals by the bag from florists for only a buck or two - but you have to ask!

• Relaxing beverage
• Yummy treats

These optional items will take your pedicure from routine to WOW, even if you're doing it solely for yourself!

Comments

[speltbaker]

i agree with the relaxing beverage being an integral part of a pedicure: unbeknown to me (who never, ever goes to a salon, but desperately needed some attention to my heels) i got my feet into the tub and realized it made me feel incredibly claustrophobic! could have really used that BV pinot in that emergency situation!

it was a tough 10 minutes... ;)

[tadiera]

I was told at a beauty school once that rolling the nail polish bottle between your hands rapidly ensures more even mixing than shaking it. Easier to do, too! :)

[Very Keri]

I've always exfoliated immediately after soaking. I usually do this while in the bath tub, or after a shower (when I don't have time to soak). I start with a pumice stone, then finish up with a foot file. It creates a smoother finish than the pumice alone would provide, much like the technique you use to sand wood (starting with the rougher paper and moving down to smoother paper). It seems like a waste of lotion to apply it to the dead skin on the surface, when the water from your foot bath should be sufficient lubricant. Every time I've had a professional pedicure, they soak my feet, remove them from the water, push back and trim cuticles, exfoliate, then moisturize. After all of that, they use a tiny bit of nail polish remover to eliminate the oils/ lotion from the nail surface before applying polish.

[omnibot]

Mmmmm, that looks nice.

[canida]

The headlamp is practical, but entirely too funny. ;)