9 Must-Haves For The Perfect At Home Pedicure

I’m not really a big fan of nail polish, on account that my fingernails are a disaster!

However, I actually like my feet and I love painting my toenails each summer to make them look even cuter.

If you’re like me and prefer to do your own nails while watching The Mindy Project, here are 9 things that you need to perform the perfect at home pedicure!

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1. Try An Exfoliating Foot Mask

Before you get your toenails all pretty and painted, you need to make sure the rest of your foot is ready for sun and sandals!

The skin on your feet is 12 times thicker than anywhere else on your body – which is why I recommend a good exfoliating foot mask or foot peel a few weeks before sandal season starts.

Foot peels use acid to break down dead skin and some are pretty strong, so one treatment is usually all you need!

I used an amazing exfoliating foot mask last year (review) by Grace & Stella that literally made my feet shed their skin like a snake! This foot peel totally annihilated my dry, cracked heels and left me with unbelievably soft, glowing feet.

If you are not diabetic or pregnant/breastfeeding, I highly recommend trying a good foot peel to spruce up your tootsies! If an intense peel isn’t for you, instead, apply a glycolic acid toner on your dry spots several times a week to break down dead skin on your feet.

2. Soak Your Feet

What’s the best way to unwind after a long day and prep for your pedicure? How about a bubbling, warm foot spa!

Tip: Soaking your feet in warm water for at least 15 minutes is a great way to soften dry skin and soothe sore feet. 

To help reduce swelling, neutralize odour and kill bacteria, I recommend adding some Epsom salts into the mix.

I recently received a bag of Dr. Teal’s Pure Epsom Salt Soaking Solution* in lavender, which combines pure magnesium sulphate with luxurious essential oils to soothe skin and set the spa mood.

Even better, lavender essence has calming properties that are known to help encourage a better night’s sleep – something I desperately need!

3. Buff & Exfoliate With A Pumice Stone

After a warm foot bath, a wet pumice stone is a great way to buff and exfoliate the tough skin  that can build up on your heels and is a must-have tool for any at home pedicure.

I’ve been using this dual-sided foot brush and pumice stone from Trim* and it is a Godsend for my dry heels! It has a nice long handle with rubber grips so it won’t easily slip out of your hands and the soft bristled side of the brush is handy for buffing more sensitive spots, like the tops of my feet and along my toenails.

4. Grab A Good Foot Cream

After soaking and buffing your feet, it’s a good idea to nourish and moisturize them – this means it’s time to go shopping for a good foot cream!

I’m currently using Avon’s Foot Works Intensive Moisture Foot Cream and love how soft and silky it makes my feet feel.

I also recommend using a good peppermint lotion or foot spray after your foot soak and scrub. Peppermint has the most amazing cooling sensation, which is especially refreshing in the hot summer!

The Body Shop has a great line of peppermint products for feet.

 

5. Keep Your Nails Healthy

A nail oil can keep your nails and cuticles nourished and  protected from cracking. Apply a nail oil a couple weeks before applying any polish to your nails to get them in tip top shape.

6. Get Good Tools To Trim & File Nails

Before we get to the fun toenail painting part, you’re going to want to trim any overgrown toenails, shape your nails with a nail file and push back your cuticles.

Invest in a good nail trimmer and cuticle cutter for precision cuts every time and always cut your toenails straight across (not rounded or tapered) to avoid ingrown nails.

7. Stay Smudge-Proof With Toe Separators

If you plan on painting your toenails, toe separators from Trim ensure your nails don’t get up in each other’s space and ruin your freshly lacquered digits.

Just pop them in between your toes before you apply your polish and get ready for gorgeous, smudge-free toenails!

8. Find The Right Nail Polish

Onto the best part – toenail painting! I’ve always used standard nail polish to paint my nails, but I received a lovely gel nail polish starter kit from SensatioNail* that is taking my pedicure to the next level!

The SensatioNail express gel nail polishes are great for anyone looking for long lasting, quick-drying, fade resistant nails and this gel polish can last on your nails for up to 10 days with less chipping. Even better, a top coat or base coat is not required!

FYI – Gel nail polishes must be cured (dried) using an LED or UV lamp, otherwise they will remain wet; this curing process is what makes gel polishes so strong, quick drying and long lasting.

The SensatioNail starter kit comes with 1 express gel nail polish, a cuticle stick, a nail file and a LED lamp.

I’ve never used gel nail polish before, but I found the SensatioNail polishes super easy to apply. Even better – the polish fully cured to a brilliant shine after only 60 seconds under the LED lamp, which blew my mind! I hate waiting for polish to dry and usually end up with smudged nails because I’m so impatient, but not this time!

SensatioNail also threw in two other express gel polishes in the shades “Cafe Au Lait” – a gorgeous soft pink nude – and “Don’t Even Pink About” – a bright, hot Barbie pink (which you can see on my toenails 2 pics down).

You can view a video on how to apply gel nail polish here.

 

9. Don’t Forget The Nail Polish Remover

Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. Once your nail lacquer starts growing out or excessively chipping, it’s time to remove it. Regular nail polish is easily removed with a good nail polish remover.

Gel nail polishes however, are a little tricky to remove and MUST be removed with a nail polish remover that contains acetone. Whatever you do, do not try to pick off your gel nail polish – it could ruin your nails!

You can view a video on how to properly remove gel nail polish here.

What’s in your at home pedicure kit?