Spring break is upon us, and whether or not you are jet-setting to a less-snowy location, you are probably dreaming of sandals and beaches. Well, with sandal territory comes pedicure territory, so it's important that you either get a pedicure done professionally, or you learn to do it properly yourself.
Learning how to do a pedicure is something that can save quite a bit of money, something that most people in Michigan are usually very happy to do. While it's wonderful to be able to get a professional pedicure, for most people, it's too expensive or time-consuming a habit to adhere to on a bi-weekly basis. It's important to get pedicures, though, for both aesthetic and health concerns. For that reason, here is how to give yourself a professional pedicure.
1. The first thing you will need to do is to assemble your supplies. you will need a body soap, a foot scrub, a lotion formulated for feet, thick socks (optional), orange sticks or a cuticle pusher, cuticle scissors or nippers, a nail clipper, a nail file, rubbing alcohol, a buffing block, nail polish remover, a clear nail polish and a colorful nail polish.
2. Run some warm water in either a tub or a foot bath. While it is filling, take off any nail polish you may already have on your toes. When the water feels perfect, soak your feet. Wash with the soap, and use the foot scrub to buff away any dead skin.
3. When your feet are done soaking, dry them with a towel and coat your feet with a highly-moisturized lotion, formulated specifically for feet. Don't be afraid to rub it into the nails as well! Immediately clean under the nails and gently push back the cuticles with the orange stick or cuticle pusher, and very carefully trim any dead skin or loose cuticles with the nippers or cuticle scissors.
4. At this point, you may put on the thick socks to allow the lotion to soak into the skin. This step can be skipped if you are in a hurry, but it's recommended, because the deeper the moisturizer is able to penetrate the skin, the longer the feet will stay looking nice.
5. When the lotion has absorbed, clip and file the nails into the desired length and shape. Rounded corners or straight across are usually the best choices for pedicures. Use the buffing block to gently brush the tops of the nails, which evens the texture of the nail, and enables the polish to stick better. To remove the white residue from the buffing block, wipe each nail with a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol. This may sting a little, but will only last a moment, and is not harmful.
6. Your toenails are ready to be painted! Apply a clear nail polish or base coat, and allow to dry before continuing. Once the base coat is dry, apply two coats of the color of your choice. Be sure to allow the polish to dry in between coats. Then add a top coat, or a final layer of clear nail polish, to ensure that the pedicure lasts as long as possible.
7. Show off your pedicure! Be sure to avoid socks, closed-toe shoes, and other footwear that may smudge for at least 12 hours, if possible. Flip flops are a good choice. If you must wear socks or closed-toe shoes, be sure to allow at least an hour between completing your pedicure and putting on these items.
Now that you know how to perform a professional pedicure on yourself, take a look at these footcare product suggestions by Cynthia Baez, the LA Personal Style Examiner.
Comments