The following instructions are for a complete home pedicure, but many of the steps are optional if you don’t happen to have the supplies handy. Of course, you’ll want to add the missing items to your shopping list, so you can get the full treatment next time!

Supplies Needed:

• Towel
• Nail polish remover
• Cotton balls or cotton pads
• Cotton swabs
• Foot bath or a simple container that you can soak both feet in
• Foot file
• Cuticle remover: a commercial solution designed to dissolve cuticles
• Orangewood stick: small wooden stick meant for nail and cuticle care
• Exfoliating salt scrub or other favorite exfoliation product
• Base coat: goes underneath the polish to protect the nail
• Nail polish
• Top coat: protects the color of the polish and some kinds speed up drying.
• Moisturizing cream
• Cuticle oil: an oil you can use daily to keep your cuticle moisturized and healthy

Step 1: Remove Nail Polish

Remove any old nail polish using a cotton ball or cotton pad moistened with nail polish remover.  Apply the cotton to the nail and allow it to soak on the nail for a moment. Then wipe upward. Change the cotton frequently for easier polish removal.

Step 2: File Your Nails

Use a nail file to shape your nails. Always file in one direction. Don’t file back and forth or it can damage your nails and cause splitting or peeling.

Step 3: Soak Your Feet

Add essential oils or bath salts to warm water in your foot bath if you wish. Soak your feet and relax for about 5 minutes.

Step 4: Get Rid of Callouses with Foot File

If you have calloused feet, file it with the foot file. Concentrate on areas with the most callouses. If you have extensively calloused skin, it may take more than one treatment to get rid of it.

Step 5: Remove Your Cuticles

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but generally cuticle remover is applied lightly to the cuticles and is left on for a short period of time (read the instructions of the product you are using). Apply and complete the process one foot at a time.

Next, use an orangewood stick to push back the cuticles. Never cut your cuticles as it is live skin and cause injury.

Immediately wash your hands and feet with warm soapy water to remove any extra cuticle remover. Dry your hands and feet thoroughly with a towel.

Step 6: Exfoliate

Use the exfoliating product of your choice according the manufacturer’s instructions.

The general procedure is to use a small amount and massage it into your screen for about one minute. Making sure your feet are dry before starting will ensure a more thorough exfoliation.

Rinse your hands and feet with water.

Step 7: Apply Moisturizer

Apply your favorite moisturizer, massaging your feet with your thumbs and hey, do your lower leg and calves too. Ah heaven!

Step 8: Prepare Your Nails for Polish

Now that you’ve put moisturizer on your feet, you probably got it on your nails too. Make sure you clean your nails before moving onto base coat and polish. You can clean them by wiping down the nails with a cotton ball or pad moistened with nail polish remover.

Dry your nails before beginning the next step.

Step 9: Apply Base Coat

When your nails are dry, it’s time to apply base coat, which protects your nail and is always used underneath polish. Apply from the bottom of your nail to the top. Start with one stroke up the center and then one on each side. Wait one minute before moving to the next step.

Step 10: Apply Polish

Get the best color and wear, by applying two coats of polish. Again, apply from the bottom of your nail to the top. Start with one stroke up the center and then one on each side.

Wait one minute before moving to the next step. Allow 1 minute to dry between each coat. If you make a mistake, apply a little polish remover to a cotton swab and lightly dab to remove polish from skin.

Step 11: Apply Top Coat

After you’ve waited a minute after applying your second coat of polish. Apply the top coat. Once again, apply from the bottom of your nail to the top. Start with one stroke up the center and then one on each side. Wait one minute before moving to the next step.

Step 12: Apply Cuticle Oil – Use Daily

Massage a little cuticle oil into your cuticles after your nail polish has dried. Repeat this part of the process daily as it keeps your cuticles healthy and moisturized.

The following instructions are for a complete home manicure, but many of the steps are optional if you don’t happen to have the supplies handy. Of course, you’ll want to add the missing items to your shopping list, so you can get the full treatment next time! Click here to download the handy printable version (PDF) of this post.

Supplies Needed:

• Towel
• Nail polish remover
• Cotton balls or cotton pads
• Cuticle remover: a commercial solution designed to dissolve cuticles
• Orangewood stick: small wooden stick meant for nail and cuticle care
• Exfoliating salt scrub or other favorite exfoliation product
• Base coat: goes underneath the polish to protect the nail
• Nail polish
• Top coat: protects the color of the polish and some kinds speed up drying.
• Moisturizing cream
• Cuticle oil: an oil you can use daily to keep your cuticle moisturized and healthy

Step 1: Remove Nail Polish

Remove any old nail polish using the nail polish remover. Moisten either a cotton ball or cotton pad. Press the cotton onto the nail for a few seconds and then wipe upward. Change the cotton frequently for easier polish removal.

Step 2: File Your Nails

Use a nail file to shape your nails. Always file in one direction as going back and forth can cause splitting and other issues.

Step 3: Remove Your Cuticles

Cuticle remover should be applied according to the manufacturer’s instructions, but common practice is to apply the remover around your cuticle and leave it on for a short period of time (read the instructions of the product you are using). Do one hand at a time.

Then use an orangewood stick to push back the cuticles. Never cut your cuticles.

Immediately wash your hands with warm soapy water to remove any extra cuticle remover. Dry your hands thoroughly with a towel.

Step 4: Exfoliate

Use the exfoliating product (salt scrub shown here) according the manufacturer’s instructions. The general procedure is to use a small amount and massage it into your skin for about one minute.

Rinse your hands with water.

Step 5: Apply Moisturizer

Apply your favorite moisturizer, massaging your hand with the thumb of your other hand.

Step 6: Prepare Your Nails for Polish

Now that you’ve put moisturizer on your hands, you’ve inevitably got it on your nails too. Make sure you clean your nails before applying any type of base coat or polish. You can clean them by once again, wiping down the nails with a cotton ball or pad moistened with nail polish remover.

Dry your nails before moving onto the next step.

Step 7: Apply Base Coat

Once your hands are fully dried, you can start to apply your base coat. A base coat protects your nail and is applied before nail polish. Always use strokes from the bottom of the nail to the top. You should apply it in no more than 3 strokes – one up the center and then one on each side.

Allow 1 minute to dry.

Step 8: Apply Polish

Apply two coats of nail polish. Again, always use strokes from the bottom of the nail to the top. You should apply it in no more than 3 strokes – one up the center and then one on each side.

Allow 1 minute to dry between each coat.

Step 9: Apply Top Coat

After you’ve waited a minute after applying your second coat of polish, apply the top coat. Once again, use strokes from the bottom of the nail to the top. You should apply it in no more than 3 strokes – one up the center and then one on each side.

Step 10: Apply Cuticle Oil – Use Daily

For healthy cuticles, massage a little cuticle oil into your cuticles after your nail polish has had a chance to start drying. Allow the cuticle oil to soak in for a moment or two and then wipe dry.

Apply cuticle oily daily for healthy and moisturized cuticles.

Click here to download the handy printable version (PDF) of this post.

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