Who needs a salon?

How to do it yourself pedicure at home...

So I know summer is over, well, it is for me! However, there is never an excuse for non pretty feet. Here's my tips for top toes...

Step 1 (see what I did there)

You will need the following;

• Nail polish remover
• A large bowl or foot bath filled with some water (not too hot not too cold) and bubble bath
• Cuticle oil
• Exfoliating foot scrub
• A bath towel
• A hand towel
• A foot callus file
• Nail clipper
• A fine grit nail file
• Foot lotion
• Cotton pads
• Base coat
• Your favourite nail polish!
• Top coat
• Toe separators


I understand not everyone has all these bits just lying around but use what you can from the list...

Remove any leftover polish on your feet, use mild acetone polish remover and a cotton pad to remove it. Acetone remover is not damaging to nails it also gets rid of stains etc. faster than non-acetone remover.

Make an at-home pedicure more relaxing by soaking your feet in a large bowl with bubble bath for 10 or so minutes before you get working. I like to read a magazine or listen to music and just relax. Then its time to get pampering. Make sure to put a bath towel underneath your basin to catch any spills from your pedicure.

Pull one foot from the foot bath and put drop cuticle oil (if you have it) on each nail. Massage it in and glide a wooden cuticle stick around the nail to push back any dead skin that might be clinging to the nail plate. Switch feet, putting your first foot back into the water, and then do the same on your other foot.

Pull your first foot out of the foot bath and wet your leg up to your knee. Using a granular foot scrub , gently massage along the bottoms of your feet up to the knee. Try to put pressure where there is a callus or dry skin build-up,Rinse thoroughly and do the same with your other leg.

Tip: If you desire, dampen a clean towel and warm in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, then use it to help rinse your feet.

Gently glide a callus smoother over calluses to smooth (not remove) rough, dry areas on the bottoms and sides of feet and toes.

Tip: If you don't have a foot file handy, use a very coarse nail file to smooth rough skin patches. Then place feet back in foot bath to rinse.

Remove one foot from foot bath and pat dry with a hand towel. For a relaxing, cooling sensation that will soothe feet and make them tingle for at least an hour, combine a few drops of peppermint oil with a foot lotion or rich cream and massage into legs and feet.

Tip: For more intense moisturisation, do a mask first. After removing your first foot from the foot bath, spread an even coat of clay foot mask on your foot and ankle. Wrap with cling film, then a towel. Repeat on your other foot. Wait three to five minutes, rinse. Then massage feet with lotion as suggested above.

Use a disinfected, curved toenail trimmer to cut the corner of each nail at a 45-degree angle to help prevent ingrown nails. Next cut any nails that are too long straight across. Finish by shaping nails with a fine  flat file or glass file to smooth uneven edges and corners. Double-check for any remaining cuticle that might be stuck to the nail and file it smooth. Swipe all nails with polish remover to get rid of residual oils and extend the life of your polish. Place toe separators between toes.

Apply a thin layer of base coat, followed by two coats of nail polish in your chosen shade  and one final thin layer of shiny top coat. Let each coat dry for about two minutes between applications. Don't have a steady hand? Fix any polish mistakes by dipping a short, stiff paint brush in nail polish remover. Just glide it along the edges of your nails to clean up the paint, (Wait until nails are fully dry before you clean up your workspace, and wait at least two hours before putting any shoes/socks on.

Tip: Avoid air bubbles in your painted nails by storing polish in a cool, dry place and rolling bottles between your hands, try not to shake them, before application.


To make your pedicure last longer, always use a base coat and top coat, and apply a fresh coat of clear polish every three days. Try to keep polish and cuticles well oiled with a purse-sized cuticle oil like . Cuticle oil prevents bacteria, dirt, etc.