HOW TO: TREAT YOUR FEETTO A PEDICURE AT HOME
We’re all guilty of it. The hustle and bustle of daily life can sometimes make it tough to find time for self-care and so often we take for granted the part of our bodies that works the hardest. They take us where we want to go, quite literally supporting our every move…it’s time to treat those feet!
Overlooking routine foot care can cause soreness, tiredness and aching feet, whilst the repeated wearing of tight or ill-fitting shoes and high heels can contribute to the formation of corns and calluses. Left untreated, feet give out warning signals and begin to ache. The greatest gift you can give them is a professional pedicure every 4-6 weeks but we know that sometimes life gets in the way and getting to a salon can be another task to add to our never ending to-do list. For those in between times, follow our expert advice to keep your feet in good shape, feeling healthy and looking beautiful. Ready to give your feet the attention they deserve? Dive into this easy, step-by-step guide to a perfect at-home pedicure.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED
- Nail Polish Remover and Cotton Wool Pads: To clean old polish off your nails
- Nail Clippers, Buffer and File: For shaping and prepping your nails
- Cuticle Pusher and Cuticle Oil: To care for your cuticles
- Callus Peel and Foot Scrub: To exfoliate dry skin
- Foot Soak: To soften your feet
- Foot Cream: For moisturising
- Base Coat, Nail Polish, and Top Coat: For that perfect finish
STEP 1: PREP
For a clean canvas, start by removing any old nail polish by soaking a cotton wool pad in Wipe + Erase Nail Polish Remover and hold for a few seconds on the nail to allow the polish to break down before swiping it off.
STEP 2: GET SMOOTH
Spray Remove + Smooth Callus Peel to any areas of dry skin or calluses avoiding the nails. Allow the product, enriched with Glycolic and Salicylic Acid, to penetrate into the skin for 3 minutes. Then, use the Neat + Tidy Foot File to gently buff the hard skin and calluses away. Pay particular attention to the heels, balls of your feet and the sides next to your big and little toes. Follow, by warming a small amount of Reveal + Restore Foot Scrub between your hands and massage into the foot, heel and ankle, working up to the knee. Continue to massage until the cream has been absorbed and remove any remaining residue using a cloth dampened with warm water.
STEP 3: SOAK
Fill a basin with warm water and add one pump of Cleanse + Condition Hand Cleanser. This is the perfect time to relax, so why not light a candle and play some soothing music? Soak your feet for about 10 minutes to soften the skin and cuticles. Pat feet dry with a towel.
Pro Tip: Ensure the water you use is lukewarm instead of hot – the higher the temperature, the more the water will strip the skin of its protective barrier, causing even more dryness.
STEP 4: HYDRATE
Massage Nourish + Nurture Cuticle Oil into the cuticles, followed by Heal + Protect Heel Cream to help relieve dry skin.
STEP 5: TRIM, FILE & BUFF
Trim your toenails straight across using the Neat + Tidy Nail Clippers to avoid ingrown nails. Use a Neat + Tidy Emery Board to smooth the edges and file nails into shape. Ensure you file in one direction so as not to cause any damage to the natural nail. Then, buff away an uneven surface to create a smooth canvas for nail polish by using the Neat + Tidy Nail Buffer. Gently buff across the face of the nails using the BUFF side of the file to remove any dryness and even out ridges. Next, smooth the nail plate by using the SMOOTH side with short firm strokes.
STEP 6: CUTICLES ARE KEY
Gently push back the cuticles using the curved edge of the Neat + Tidy Cuticle Pusher. Cuticles play an important role in protecting your nails from bacteria, so it is important only to trim loose cuticles or hangnails.
STEP 7: REVIVE
Mist Refresh + Revive Foot Spray to instantly stimulate and condition skin before painting your toenails.
STEP 8: APPLY A BASE COAT
Swipe the nails with nail polish remover to remove any remaining oil or residue that will prevent the polish from adhering properly. Using the correct Mii base coat to suit your nail needs, apply to each nail using the pro-glide brush covering the whole of the nail in roughly 4-5 strokes. A base coat helps to treat your nail type and protect from staining whilst creating a smooth base for polish to adhere to for a longer-lasting finish.
STEP 9: PAINT YOUR NAILS
Now for the fun part! Once your base coat has dried, paint two thin layers of your chosen Colour Confidence Nail Polish colour from the base to the tip allowing each layer to dry between coats. Toe separators will help make painting the nails easier and prevent any smudging. Don’t worry if you make a little mess, use a cotton bud or an orangewood stick dipped in nail polish remover to clean up the edges.
STEP 10: SEAL WITH A TOP COAT
Complete your pedicure with a layer of top coat to seal in the colour, add a glossy shine and for extra staying power.
STEP 11: LET YOUR NAILS DRY
Finally, let your nails dry completely. This is the perfect excuse to kick back and relax for a bit longer.
Bonus Tip: Keep your feet looking fabulous by moisturising daily and exfoliating weekly.
And there you have it! A salon-quality pedicure without leaving your home. So why not make this a monthly ritual? Your feet will thank you, and you’ll feel fabulous from head to toe.
