7 STEPS TO A DIY SUMMER PEDICURE
1 Remove the old polish from your nails with a cotton pad soaked in acetone. TIP 1: If the color doesn’t come off easily, press the pad onto the nail and let it soak in. TIP 2: To remove stains from nails, rub in whitening toothpaste or add a drop of lemon/lavender oil and rub a buffer over the nail.
2 Use clippers for clipping toenails. Cut nail straight across to just above the skin. File nails in one direction until they are even and slightly rounded at the corners. TIP: Use emery boards for filing.
3 Fill a large flat-bottom bowl with warm water. TIP 1: Add a quarter cup of milk along with essential oils and Epsom salts. TIP 2: Or try a tablespoon of baking soda and a teaspoon of bath oil.
4 Apply cuticle remover to the base of each nail and rub in. Using an orangewood stick, gently push with a circular motion everywhere where skin meets the nail. Remove skin only on top of the nail, don’t touch the toe flesh. Use cuticle nippers to trim any loose skin.
5 Apply a foot scrub to a wet pumice stone to slough away the dead skin on the balls and heels of your feet.
6 Dry feet thoroughly including between the toes and rub in a foot cream like Absolute Organic Protective Foot Cream. Rehydrate cuticles by rubbing in cuticle oil. TIP: No cuticle oil? Try olive oil.
7 Finish with polish. Base coat is used to protect the nail. Select a color for the second coat. The third coat can be a clear polish designed to prevent chipping. TIP 1: Keeping nail varnish in the fridge will make it last longer. TIP 2: Use lighter polish on your fingernails and darker on toenails.