How to DIY a Pedicure in Five Steps

June 15, 2020

By: Sarah Ferguson | skincare.com by L'Oréal

Sandal season has arrived, but you may still be waiting for your favorite nail salon to reopen to get your first pedicure of the summer. While nothing may compare to the relaxing, pampering feeling of getting a professional foot treatment, you can at least create the look of a polished pedi at home by following certain tips and tricks. We asked Gina Alcedo, founder and CEO of Nailvana.LA in Los Angeles, California, to walk us through how to DIY a pedicure. Here’s how to do it in five easy steps.

STEP #1: Soak and Exfoliate Your Feet

Soaking your feet can help soften cuticles and calluses, as well as clean them. You can do this in the shower or by filling a tub or basin with warm water for a relaxing, spa-like experience. Alcedo recommends following the soak by exfoliating with a tool like a foot file to remove rough and dead surface skin cells.

STEP #2: Cut and File

“Don’t cut your nails too short,” says Alcedo. Doing so could damage your nails and won’t give you much space to work with while painting. “If you’re not sure how to cut your nails, use a coarse file to file them down,” she advises.

STEP #3: Remove Cuticles

Alcedo then likes to apply a cuticle remover, like the Blue Cross Cuticle Remover, on each nail. Wipe them away with a towel. If you want to push them back with a cuticle pusher, be gentle. “If you push it too hard you could damage the root of the nail, and it will be painful when you are pushing,” says Alcedo.

STEP #4: Remove Oils

“When you are done with the cuticles, use alcohol or polish remover to wipe away any oils,” says Alcedo.

STEP #5: Paint

Now you’re ready to paint. For an even finish and to avoid staining, start with a base coat on each nail. Follow with two coats of color (we’re obsessed with yellow shades for summer) and a top coat like the Essie Speed.Setter Top Coat. Finish by using a cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover to clean up any paint on the skin around the nail.

5 Post-Sun Skin-Care Tips to Try

The Lancôme L’Absolu Mademoiselle Lip Balm Is the Only Thing Getting My Dry Lips Through Social Distancing